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    EG4 18kPV : Parallel 2 panels into series to combat shade

    Yes, I said "parallel every 2 panels and then series each group together": But now that I think about it, this won't help with the shade because when the right-most panel gets shaded, it's still in series with the panels before it and therefor will bring down overall output. And I can't series...
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    EG4 18kPV : Parallel 2 panels into series to combat shade

    How are you getting that? Wiring in series keeps AMPs same, but adds VOLTAGE. 8 panels * 34.2V = 273.6V, which is well below the EG4s max input of 600 VDC. 4 panels in series would be 1/2 that. Can you please clarify your statement?
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    EG4 18kPV : Parallel 2 panels into series to combat shade

    Per title, I have an EG4 18kPV and 8 x 370W panels. (Vmp 34.2V, Imp 10.82A, Voc 41.0V). The spec sheet on the EG4 says the following (it has 3 MPPTs): * Nominal Input Current : 25/15/15A * Max Short Circuit Input Current : 31/19/19A * DC input voltage range: 100-600 VDC Right now I have the...
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    What do you use for asphalt shingle roof penetration?

    Wow. The Soladeck is more than 2x the EZ Solar, and the Quick Mount is about $20 more (all three on amazon). Thanks for the feedback everyone; think I'll go with EZ for, well, easy-ness. :)
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    What do you use for asphalt shingle roof penetration?

    Wow. That certainly is a lot cheaper than the EZ box. How do you securely/water tight the wires through the conduit on the roof side? I guess I still need some sort of junction box on the roof where the wires from the panels come into; wago connectors to go from PV wire to standard THHN, then...
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    What do you use for asphalt shingle roof penetration?

    I found 'EZ Solar JB Rooftop PV Junction Box' on Amazon, from a YT recommendation. $60. This can't be the only solution? What are some other options when needing to transition from roof into attic space?
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    Must I use "PV" wire for runs inside attic space?

    Sure, but can it be THHN wire inside that conduit or must it be "PV wire"?
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    Must I use "PV" wire for runs inside attic space?

    I need to run wire from panels on roof, about 60ft, through attic space, to unfinished garage to inverter. There's an "attic tunnel" which connects main house to detached garage. Do I have to use #10 "PV wire" through the attic or can I transition in the roof box to standard #10 THHN wire?
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    EG4 18k 130W usage with no loads

    I'm using my EG4 18k with a critical loads subpanel. This morning, I turned off the panel's 100A breaker, cutting power to all circuits. Yet, the status of the EG4 LCD screen still showed 130W of usage to the home. What gives?
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    How does my breaker box handle micro-inverters/string?

    Hello gang. I'm looking at buying a kit from GoGreenSolar, primarily because they offer permitting, blueprint design, code compliance, etc (ie: they do all the paperwork for the local city). Most of their kits are string-inverter based, or micro-inverter based. My question is actually about...
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    Why do my service lines get bigger?

    This is a picture of the service lines coming off the transformer and into the meter on my house. Why are the cables from the transformer coupled onto thicker wires? Is this some code requirement that the lines into my house be thicker gauge? Why would that need to be if so? If the thinner wires...
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    DC-AC-DC-AC-DC Conversion Loss for Computers/Electronics

    Is there a way to avoid all this wasteful conversion? You've got solar panels sending DC to an inverter, which converts to AC, goes into the breaker, to the outlet where my server rack UPS is plugged in, which converts to DC for UPS battery storage. When the power goes out, the UPS converts DC...
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    Not understanding grid-tied power priority

    That's awesome! Do you have any specific make/model recommendations? I'm still researching my options.
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    Not understanding grid-tied power priority

    That makes sense. Thanks for the analogy. I do have an electric meter, but it's not a special kind of net meter, AFAIK. It's my understanding you have to have a special kind to do net metering, right? As I said above, my elec company doesn't do credits/buy-back, but if my elec meter is smart...
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    Not understanding grid-tied power priority

    I think I would need to prevent this since my meter can't "spin" backwards and it would end up adding to my bill would it not? I'm still not understanding how breakers B-H use the power from the inverter before power from the grid. If it's a just electrons, how does inverter A/C get priority...
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    Not understanding grid-tied power priority

    Hello. Newbie here. I'm having a hard time understanding how a grid-tied inverter setup works without completely rewiring my main breaker panel. Here is my rudimentary diagram. My electric company does not do credits for surplus. Still, as I understand it, a grid-tied system can "slow down" the...
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    Does a Grid-Tied inverter supplement the PV input?

    Hello all. Newbie here. I've been watching a lot of YT videos recently from 'DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse'. In a recent video, he showcased an inverter with AC input. That got me wondering if it's possible to run a PV setup without batteries*? The theory is that if there's enough sunlight...
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