Questions tagged [solar]

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solar panel cracks, are they affecting output?

The above photos were taken today. They appear to show cracked cells within at least four panels. There are more, but these were the ones I could reach for photos. The panels were cleaned yesterday, ...
fred_dot_u's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
57 views

What's the proper cable to connect this power station to a solar panel?

My uncle gave me his old 1000w portable power station. I already have a Bluetti SP120 portable solar panel that has mc4 connectors. I'd like to use this to the power station. I tried googling it to no ...
Christian Burgos's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
67 views

Has a new panel outside the house made my main house panel a subpanel?

I had a solar system installed. The old 70s main panel never had a master switch to shut all the breakers down. The new outside panel now has a correct 200 Amp breaker. The breaker is labeled Main ...
Michael's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
35 views

Solar wiring and code requirements [closed]

Are the amp ratings the same for solar power as general electric supply to the house? I'm buying property and building my own home out of 2 converted large sheds with total of 736 ft². 2/2, w/d, ...
Yogitech60's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
28 views

200A Upgrade Main Panel Requirements [closed]

I'm upgrading my old 100A panel [combined Meter and Load Center] to a new 200A Panel. Based on the panel location, and since I don't want to re-wire the entire house, I'm looking for a Combined 200A ...
ChocolateCake's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
43 views

What is the best option for remote enabling generator for solar system? [closed]

My home is solar powered with outback system components. What I'd like to do is be able to monitor using a Mate3 and automatically charge the batteries over wifi utilizing a remote start generator. I ...
Busch's user avatar
  • 121
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

UPS / Battery Question

I have two Cyberpower 1400va (900 watt) pure sine wave UPS systems. They are over 5 years old and the lead acid batteries inside them are shot. The units use two 12v 8AH SLA batteries in series and ...
EZ CAPS's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
1 answer
48 views

GFCI test failure

I have a solar off grid small house with 8 circuits. Two are 20 amp GFCI breakers installed in the panel. Six have GFCI receptacles in the first outlet from the panel. When a Sperry GFI6302 tester ...
Kirk Taylor's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
186 views

Proper torque specs and cleaning busbar and lug connections

I have 4 stud M8 (5/16”) Bus bars which connects 4/0 and 3/0 copper lugs from the LiFePo4 batteries (2.5 kWh) and Inverters 2.6 kW split phase off-grid). I wanted to know what can I use to clean the ...
Rick's user avatar
  • 879
1 vote
2 answers
943 views

How do I properly ground a 12V off-grid solar system?

I have a 12V DC system I just built (see image below), which I intend to ground to the DC negative side (see dotted green lines) but not quite sure if it's correct / best-practice. From what I've read ...
user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
64 views

What are my exterior PV disconnect options?

I am trying to decide on exterior PV disconnect details for a small PV array. (in Georgia, US) The array is estimated to produce roughly 23A @240V and will feed a 30A breaker using 10awg wire. The ...
hotbiscuits's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
117 views

Grounding rod conflicts with circuit tester

I built an off-grid shed with solar system. The output from the solar panels goes to a charge controller, then to a 12V LiPO4 battery. I convert the 12V from the battery to 120V ac using a 1500W ...
DavidJM's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
88 views

MSP Busbar rating and Max branch circuit breaker for PV solar on Sq.D Meter mains CSED SC816D200C series 2

Existing Sq.D SC816D200C series 2 CSED. 200A main service disconnect breaker. What is the Busbar rating? I am upgrading solar to a 7.5kW system and all solar (PV & battery) will require a 60A ...
Jay's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
103 views

Trying to right-size a critical loads subpanel

I'm installing solar and would like to set up a critical loads subpanel that is fed by both the solar and my main panel. The microinvters in the kit are Enphase IQ8+. I'd like to run a few circuits ...
RagingRoosevelt's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
264 views

Help understanding grid tie inverters with limiters [closed]

Wondering if someone can answer some questions for me about my ideal solar setup. Background - I'm looking to tinker with adding some solar piecemeal ( I know I'm better off getting all identical ...
user168382's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
205 views

murray d100-22 main electrical panel bus bar rating (solar?)

Murray d100-22 main electrical panel bus bar rating It is a 20-slot. The wire coming from PG&E is a 2 AWG Alum wire. I want to install solar panels. And wondering what is the bus bar rating of the ...
user166159's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
678 views

Does an off-grid solar inverter need to be UL listed?

I'd like to put some solar panels near my house and power a small sub panel with a few key circuits. Like the fridge and freezer. The idea is to reduce my electrical bill, and have some power to use ...
Mike Gray's user avatar
  • 105
2 votes
3 answers
902 views

NEC 705.12(D)(2) 120% rule for a 125A service panel with 100A utility and 40A solar

I had solar installed and I am not sure they placed the breakers right based on an answer in a previous question here. My main service panel is 125A. I have 100A of utility power and 40A of solar ...
user162793's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
794 views

Is it a problem that the mounting screws of solar panels are not into framing?

I had solar installed last week. The past couple of days it has been raining so I went to my attic to check for any leaks. I didn't notice any leaks but I noticed the following: Mounting screws weren'...
user162793's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
159 views

Is it safe to plug 110v outlet to inverter input, and inverter output to the inletbox

I have installed the 10 breakers transfer switch, so if the power is out I can just connect the generator to the inlet box. I dont want to disturb my neighbors at night so I am planning to install ...
sharon's user avatar
  • 31
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

What is the busbar rating in my main service panel?

I don't understand the difference between "device rating" and "meter socket rating" on my MSP? I'm most interesting in the busbar rating? Here are pictures of MSP: https://...
solar2023's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
650 views

80amp EVSE on subpanel

I’ve got a trivial problem that has become complicated by a non-trivial setup. My goal is to install an 80amp (100amp breaker) EVSE to charge my electric truck. An incentive from my electric ...
cyclops's user avatar
  • 887
2 votes
1 answer
599 views

Is my Point of Connection to Utility supply-side or load-side?

I'm applying for my PV permit in San Diego (power company is SDG&E), and on step 10 of the template it asks about "Point of Connection to Utility". I'm not sure which my plan falls under....
Benjamin Williams's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
230 views

Use subpanel main breaker slot for outgoing circuit?

We have a small electrical subpanel with only 12 breaker slots. It's rated 125A, which is enough for all the circuits we want, but we will probably run out of slots when adding solar, induction range, ...
Matthias Fripp's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
477 views

How much solar can my main and sub panel handle?

I have a 90A main service and a 200A sub with 200A bus. See pictures attached. I currently have a 3.9kw solar system on a dual 30A breaker. How much more solar would I be able to add? Looking to ...
Arctic's user avatar
  • 81
1 vote
0 answers
225 views

Sizing wire (calculating ampacity) for solar PV arrays

I have a solar photovoltaic array consisting of 9 PV modules interconnected in 3s-3p. They are the Jinko Solar JKM450M-60HL4-V panels. I want to know which size of wire I need to choose for the common/...
alejnavab's user avatar
  • 133
-1 votes
1 answer
192 views

Calculating wire size for solar array

How can I calculate wire size to go from a solar array (of 36 panels, 365W & 42V each) to a shed with an inverter 50 ft away?
i--'s user avatar
  • 263
2 votes
1 answer
413 views

Safety Switch for utility disconnect placement

I am trying to fulfill my one line drawing for AEP Texas for their interconnection agreement so I can install solar with battery backup on our home. AEP says: Please note that the AC Disconnect ...
JohnCindy987's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

Off-Grid Well Setup

I have a well drilled and set up soon on my property where I plan to use completely off-grid (not tied to city power) solar array. Obviously I plan to optimize the power usage for everything that is ...
i--'s user avatar
  • 263
1 vote
2 answers
173 views

Retrofit tankless installation in an apartment building with rooftop solar

This is hypothetical, but based on a real case. A landlord has an apartment building with 20 units. There is a single 150-gal gas water heater in the building that serves all the units. The landlord ...
tavr's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
1 answer
156 views

Is solar inverter breaker based on panel rating or main breaker size?

In California, I understand that there are minimums and maximums for solar breaker size. But I don't understand if these are limited by the panel bus rating or supply breaker? I believe it's the ...
Matthew's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
79 views

How to estimate solar production on my roof, considering shade from trees

I am considering solar panels, and I have some trees in the neighbor's yard immediately to the south of my house. What's a relatively accurate way to estimate annual electrical production from a given ...
Mike Eng's user avatar
  • 196
0 votes
0 answers
169 views

Does this Wiring Diagram Create ground loop Issues?

I have a two x LV6548 Pure Sine Wave 6,500W Inverter/Chargers - 13,000W Continuous Output 120/240V Inverters that I wish to integrate with my Subpanels in the house for Off-grid with Main Utility ...
Guybumbling's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
187 views

Residential Solar Stopped Working

I've had my solar panels for a couple years now without issue. Installer is not in biz anymore and not answering calls, texts or emails. July 3rd mid-day it all stopped producing power. APSystems ...
mxmissile's user avatar
  • 163
0 votes
0 answers
51 views

Weird wiring question

First, I have worked with electrical wiring quite a bit, but sometimes I come up with weird/possibly stupid questions. Here it goes. I have my solar panels wired in parallel because I had an old ...
Lou's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
1 answer
878 views

How big of a solar panel is needed to run a 300 watt water pump?

I have a water pump in a pond that is rated as using 300 watts. I'm not concerned if it shuts off at night. Overcast days are super rare. I don't plan on installing batteries, just want to connect the ...
Village's user avatar
  • 1,055
3 votes
1 answer
236 views

How can I evaluate solar panels to power night lights in areas that don't get direct light?

I have a creek crossing in the woods: This photo is in the early spring. During the summer it's a bit like a jungle. We've considered the idea of putting foot lights along the edges of the crossing. ...
Tango's user avatar
  • 528
1 vote
2 answers
55 views

Solar powered heating, the 1st step on the research phase

We've just bought somewhere in Portugal and the gas prices are very expensive. Portugal gets a lot of sun, so we figured let's see if we can heat with solar. We ideally do not want to be adding things ...
John's user avatar
  • 131
0 votes
0 answers
111 views

Trying to improve and expand "professional" solar installation

Several years ago I contracted a local firm to install 56 solar panels on my roof. I know they used a licensed electrician and the utility company approved and installed my Net Meter but the system ...
drjrt's user avatar
  • 181
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can I convert Single Phase 220v to 2 Phase 120v?

I purchased a SMA Sunny Boy 5.0-US-41 Inverter and brought it to the Philippines. Many connections in Manila are 2 Phase 120v. I am in the province, where we have Single Phase 220v. I called SMA ...
CoralGardener's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
682 views

Upgrade 100A panel to use more solar [closed]

My question is: Is it reasonable to upgrade to a 200A main panel but with a 125A breaker? Here is a draft of my thinking based on feedback so far: Upgrade my main panel with 125A service over ...
Luna Lagoon's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Like for Like Main Panel Replacement (PG&E)

I'm located in the bay area - PG&E territory. I have a Federal Pacific panel that needs to be replaced but it is within 3 feet of a gas line. My wires are underground so it'd require trenchwork ...
kai's user avatar
  • 51
0 votes
0 answers
300 views

Lights flickering

I have a off grid solar system with 110-120v pure sine inverter. All my outlets work with power but GFCI blinks red every min or so and my all my LED lights flicker when on. I feel like I'm not ...
Joseph P's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
73 views

Can I run a home run to the main breaker in an attached building with a subpanel?

I'm working with an installer on a solar system that can power essential loads when the grid is down, and this requires moving all essential load circuits (refrigerator, boiler/furnace, etc) to a new ...
Jon's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
138 views

Most efficient heating system @ ~41° N

I'm researching building a home on a property I just bought. Water is plentiful but there is little or no chance of getting municipal services such as natural gas or electricity. However I have open ...
mreff555's user avatar
  • 1,277
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

Sharing solar energy

Solar installers have said that our flat-ish roof isn't going to work for panel installation. Our neighbor is building a new house that will have ample electricity generated by his panels. They are ...
Barbara's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
113 views

Solar "side tap" configuration

I am finalizing my configuration for a solar upgrade, and want to do a sanity check. Jurisdiction: US, NY The service is 200A, which routes to the meter and then to the main panel in the house. Off ...
mongo's user avatar
  • 1,008
0 votes
1 answer
262 views

How can I run cable from a solar inverter to a cupboard room where my consumer unit is situated?

The cupboard room is not next to an external wall, about 5 metres into the house. The power to the house comes in through a conduit, quite large, more like a drainpipe, about 5 inches in diameter. ...
Tomny's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
2 answers
734 views

Subpanel and grounding for solar shed to off-grid cabin

I am building a purpose-built shed that will support solar panels and contain all of the solar equipment such as charge controller, batteries, inverter etc. All of this is off-grid. An A/C feeder ...
tschutter's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
65 views

Inverter switches to fault when sun emerges from cloud

My solar setup consists of 3x270 watt panels, a charge controller, a battery and an inverter. It has mostly worked fine for many years, but I've found that the inverter faults when the sun comes out ...
Mike McKay's user avatar