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Grounding is just a conspiracy to keep us attached to the biggest grid out there, the earth! NEC section 250 grounding and bonding, is confusing and convoluted, just to keep us in the dark, and hide the truth!!! pull up those ground rods, and go truly off grid!! Disclaimer: Humor forum post

Large corporations, fighting regulation to extract more money form consumers, and make their investors happy, sounds just like communism to me.

As a point of reference here is a 9540A test report showing the setup and test results of a simulated thermal run away in a large setup of rack LiFePo4 batteries. A piece of cheesecloth was placed over 4 racks of batteries, and did not catch fire during the simulated thermal run away test.

Just an FYI, you can get brand new panels for not much more: https://inxeption.com/pdp/flash-sales/inxeptionmarketplace/default-ne-solar-nese-370-60mh-m6-containers-106-modules-?showTimer=true&st=products&

Do you remember the 21st of September?

the internet is pretty much the opposite of offgrid, sounds like you want a basically a way to connect to a massive global communications network, but not pay for any of the costs of building and maintaining the network that brings that access to you?

Unfortunately in the coldest part of winter your solar(pv or otherwise) is going to be producing at it's minimum, and after a series of cloudy days your solar energy storage will depleted and you will need to use an alternate source for heat. A tool like pvwatts can show how much solar you can...

1:1 net metering is basically a subsidy for distributed solar energy, benefiting the solar industry and rich individuals and companies. Treating it as a fair way to pay for an electric utility, is a losing proposition.

200 amp pass thru in a single unit, rated for outdoor install, clean install with the powerpro, a single unit will need less wall space and wiring, built in rapid shutdown, high PV voltage limit, and 10 year warranty(vs 5 of 6000xp). For now only the 18kpv, supports grid tied install, CTs for...

Marketed as an off grid inverter, but there are mentions in the manual of grid tied operation, and export to grid. Split phase output without parallel inverters is a winning feature.

Found on reddit:

I'd like to see a breakdown of their 100% made in the USA claim, showing where all the components and materials for these panels come from.

On of the pages that have a list of posts, at the top of the list on the right is a filter drop down, choosing unanswered posts will only show posts with zero replies.

Comedy option: it's a 4kw inverter that supports up to 6kw of solar input.

Most electric utilities have a base charge for being hoked up to the grid.

The electric code disagrees, and all metal parts(panels, mounts, conduit, inverter, etc) need to be bonded together and to the existing building electrical ground.

Also I wonder if eg4's version will get ground fault and arc fault for PV, built in rapid shut down transmitter would have also been nice.

All conductors in the conduit including the ground count to conduit fill, since they are all cables you are going to be pulling thru the conduit, and need to make sure fit. Schedule 40 PVC conduit is allowed for underground and locations where not subject to damage. You may want to consider...

If only the California that seems to exist in many posters minds, was actually real.

I knew I was right when I posted this:

In Luxpower's own manuals they talk about fan cleaning and replacement:

The sol-ark will not power the grid until it has verified the grid is back up. This is a required safety feature for inverters listed to UL standars for that exact reason.

I am shocked that a small inverter can't run multiple large loads at the same time! If only larger or parallel inverters were available.

As a point of data, this chart shows just what gasses were admitted by a lfp rack battery undergoing a simulated thermal runaway test for 9540A:

The 2016 version of UL9540 allows batteries to be listed on their own. The 2020 version of UL 9540 requires a battery and inverter combination to be listed. Requirements for UL9540 are in the IRC, Section R328 Energy Storage Systems, which states the requirement for UL9540 listing, in Chapter 44...

The monthly fee, and power rate you pay are based on a pricing model that assumes on average the amount payed for electricity will cover the costs of providing electricity year round. When there's enough shift in the consumption, say from solar self-consumption, the pricing model has to change...

Under 9540:2020 Ed 2, anything added to DC bus of the ESS, solar charge controllers, chargers, DC generators, would be in scope of the 9540 listing, and to be completely compliant would need to be included in the listing. On the AC side it's a little different as energy going in to storage has...

Paragraph F of the law section seems to indicate the section only applies to entities in the solar business, and explicitly excludes home owners, (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)

If you are in the US, and this is for a fixed install, where a code compliant, permitted and inspected install is required in most places, there will be issues using Victron equipment. In particular the larger Victron inverters are not listed to UL standards, listing is required by code. Also...

For one and two unit dwellings, it depends on what version of the NEC is in use, NEC 2017 requires a disconnect by the inverter, NEC 2020 requires disconnects outside in a readily accessible location in addition to a disconnect at the inverter. NEC 2023 requires an emergency shutdown/RSD...

Mitsubishi has heat pumps that will provide heating to -13F, and full capacity to -5f, which will work for plenty of climates, and still have a COP of 1.99 at those temperatures.

We have good resources on grounding/and bonding: https://diysolarforum.com/resources/grounding-made-simpler-part-1-ac-houshold-grounding.157/ In your case, bring your two grounding electrodes, to the EG4 panel, to tie them together at the service location. No separate grounding rod is needed at...

Sounds like the conduit isn't bonded to ground properly. Metal conduit, when it terminates in a plastic box, or at a concentric knockout needs a bonding bushing connected to ground.

690.43(C) Seems to disagree with this. Also we have seen cases in the forum where voltages have been induced on metal pv arrays where they were not bonded.

On California's solar equipment list the brand "Canadian Solar" is listed under "CSI Solar Co., Ltd."

Plumbing pipe is not an approved wiring method per the NEC, and that would not be code compliant. With that many wires in one conduit or direct buried in a single trench the amp rating of the wire will be reduced 70%, if your wire is 90c rated 10awg would be derated to 28 amps. You will be...

Simplest option is to leave an MC4 connector disconnected in each string which will eliminate voltage on the PV circuits. Once connected to the inverter make sure the PV DC disconnect is open, then reconnect those MC4 connectors. MC4 connectors can be used to isolate parts of the PV...

Ethernet over cat5 is limited to 328ft max. Would have to go fiber or wireless for that distance.

Fuses or over current protection will generally not be needed.

Norma, option would be THHN or other NEC approved wire in conduit. Unless you are using the full 90amps pass thru input you won't need to the full capacity of 2 awg on the output. What size breaker/service/input is on the inverter input?

One limitation with using DC appliances is there is a limited selection, and they can be more expensive then standard ac appliances.

A quick estimate with PVWatts for Los Angeles, shows a north facing array will produce 69% of annual production of a south facing array. Not as bad as I thought.

As if things don't already work that way.

I found this entry in Intertek listings database for a UL9540 listing that seems to include the PowerPro: https://ramuk.intertekconnect.com/WebClients/ITS/DLP/products.nsf/4c8700f3b75987a08525777700583333/afafa7952c4be74c86258a53000feaa7?OpenDocument Model numbers are still a big mystery.

No matter what some water will get in the conduit. This isn't a problem as long as your conductors are rated for install in wet locations, which is a requirement for underground installs anyways, PV wire commonly has this rating.

It's not built in, the MPPT Disconnect RS add on is required to get arc fault and rapid shutdown.

The limits on the size and location of batteries energy storage systems as well as the requirement for UL 9540 listing, are not in the NEC. Those requirements are in the IRC(International Residential Code) section R328, and the International Fire Code for buildings not under the IRC.

Yeah that 120/240 output is a split phase output.

The 18kpv has 2 battery terminals for + and -, additionally the current requirements of the 18kpv require use of 2 parallel 2/0 AWG wires each for + and -

First I would ask for a code reference for that requirement. NEC 2017 480.10 & 706.34 two similar sections both require guarding live parts, referencing 110.27. Which would require some sort of guard over the battery terminals that are greater than 50 volts. Also having exposed wiring between...

How a pro does wire reidentification: Source HVACR VIDEOS on YouTube:

Depending on how your panels are wired, rated and any requirements of your equipment in you may not need over current protection and could use a disconnect switch. But at these voltages breakers may be the cheapest option for disconnects. using an enclosure is a good idea, and is a requirement...

Victron doesn't seem all that interested in the US fixed solar market, which they might not need. They seem to be doing well in the marine, mobile markets, as well as outside of the US.

Biggest limitation of those all in ones, is they need a fairly high PV voltage to charge from solar, which can be a challenge as you need a number of panels in series to get the voltage up which can be a challenge given the limited useable space on the roof.

This is where UL 9540 and 9540A come in, these standards and testing show the safety of the the system in configurations that are outside the limits in the IRC. UL 9540A is the large scale fire testing referenced in that section, showing that the batteries have p[passed 9540A and are installed...

Shipping 2025????

When you raised the battery voltage you also raised the voltage the charge controllers will start working at. Most charge controllers need at least 5 volts above the battery voltage to start charing, Outback recommends 12-24 volts above battery voltage. If the voltage of your PV inputs is...

One option would be to remove the grid input from panel A and do a supply/service side tap before one of the panels, and connect to the grid input thru a dedicated 60amp fused disconnect, or enclosed circuit breaker.

Circuit breakers are over current devices, so a 600v/20a breaker will trip above 20 amps of current, regardless of the voltage. The 600volt rating of the breaker is the maximum voltage the breaker can interrupt, but the breaker will not trip on voltage. Protection from over voltage should be...

I've found the lutron casetta stuff to be very reliable.(although not looking forward to the day I need to replace the batteries in all the remotes)

I don't think so as this is a very different inverter from a different OEM.

Only inside buildings, outside non metallic conduit, boxes, etc are ok when used within there requirements in the NEC. EDIT: only for NEC 2020 or later, NEC 2017 metal is only required inside to the first disconnect.

Not cheap or compact but there is the MidNite Solar MNDC125 also available in 175 and 250 amps

That 6 pole breaker panel hints at split phase, and a separate generator input.

Looks good and now I know there wifi password that's not for customers ;)

The Polaris connectors are, and you can use them to change from a 90c wire run to a larger wire to connect to a 75 or 60c termination.

Does the sticker delay also impact being able to post PDFs of the UL1973 certificate, UL9540a full test results, and UL9540 certificate?

You may be able to only hire an electrician to do the final interconnection, and still do most of the work your self.

Also HDPE can be pulled in with a vibratory plow, without needing a trench. although you still need to transition to PVC or something as HDPE can't be exposed above ground.

There have been reports of those batteries having a very high self consumption, that could be causing your losses: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/eg4-batteries-and-sol-ark-15k.66995/post-892197

There have been a number of bad fires in NYC from caused by charging li-ion battery packs used in low cost electric mopeds. These are used for delivery so the batteries are pushed hard, and frequently charged.

I mentioned that document as evidence there should be power there, not just an unsupported feature.

NEC 2020 Section 705 Part II Microgrid Systems covers this type of install. In this case the sol-ark is going to be your microgird interconnect device. The install will need to follow the instructions in the sol-ark manual.

Since 1 kelvin is that same as 1 degree celsius, they are the same unit, and can be used interchangeably in calculations.

The unit is definitely listed to UL1741 see: https://ramuk.intertekconnect.com/WebClients/ITS/DLP/products.nsf/4c8700f3b75987a08525777700583333/a67e94b8814c30c88625883700152c93?OpenDocument I'm not sure if UL1741 covers arc fault, and ground fault for solar. But if it had listed arc fault it...

If your generator has a 2 wire connection for remote start the 18kpv can auto start and stop it, some generators require additional parts for this interface either from the manufacture or from a third party for this interface. If you are doing a new solar install using the DC solar inputs on...

Per data sheet Voc temp co is -0.28%/°C giving 28.7 or 29 volts at -40c/f. Also the 26 voc was already at 32f/0c

11 in series is safe to as cold as -9f, 10 in series is safer to as cold as -85f. Your choice will depend on the record cold temperature at your location.

2 options: 8 in series connected to each MPPT tracker 2x 11 in series, and 1x 10 in series strings each connected a MPPT tracker, leaving one tracker available for future expansion.

With $0 for batteries, pretty much makes that cost breakdown meaningless. $3.62 per watt is high, not the worst I've seen, but your system does induced batteries and a main panel replacement. $89,984 / ( 62 * 400) = $3.62/watt

When AC coupled and grid is on, the first 18kpv has no way to limit the output of the AC coupled inverter. Export to grid limits can only be controlled by the first 18kpv by limiting it's DC connected solar production. When the grid is off the GEN connection on the first 18kpv will be turned...

If you are using the CCA for all of your rapid shutdown, and don't have any requirements for shutdown of the inverter(NEC 2023, local AHJ) and the PV disconnect on the sol-ark isn't labeled as a rapid shutdown initiator. this isn't a code issue. In this config the PV disconnect switch will just...

It's 480 volts max for both MPPTs, you can have strings with up to a 480volt max open circuit voltage on each MPPT

Factors to consider: Any setback required from the property line required by local zoning code Potential shading from development at/near the property line, fence, etc Mostly it's going to be an aesthetic choice

There is a bit of a difference between using open source software on someones on own hardware, and wanting free access to a massive global network infrastructure.

there is no requirement to have over current protection on a single string of panels, so all you really need is a disconnect switch, such a the IMO pv disconnects, but could be a breaker as well.

Some of the panels with Isc in 13-14a range put ampacity with the NECs 156% rule in to 8 AWG or even 6 AWG territory with 2 strings in parallel.

The actual heat pump doesn't use much of that power, that 4500w is the backup electric resistance heater. Many manufactures have 120volt plug in models that can plug into a standard 15amp 120volt circuit for warm climates with little to backup heat.

6 panels with Voc of 19 volts with worst case temperature adjustment would be: 6panels * 19volts * 1.25(temp adjustment) = 142.5 volts still be below 145. Panels with a higher Voc would be a problem. Although a random sampling of 150-170w panels have a Voc over 19 volts which will exceed the max...

You'll want to ground. First you will want to bond your system together, that is connect all the metal parts of you system together. If you don't have main electrical panel pick on location to run all your grounds to. You'll want to bond the solar panels, batteries if metal, charge controller...

You want all the grounds tied together.

1) Your solar panel setup is good, you can branch plugs, or y-cables to combine the 2,4 series panel strings, you can also just combine them in the disconnect box. You will also want a disconnect for the PV circuits at the house. If you are in a locality that is under NEC 2020 all PV dc...

The MPPT tracker refers to the 4 separate inputs on the inverter. connect 8 panels in series either 1 row or 2 columns, and connect to one of the inputs on the inverter, repeat for each set of 8 panels. Dividing the array in to 2 column sections may reduce the impact of shading that effects one...

One thing to note when comparing brands, some of extended warranty benefits touted by these brands only apply when installed by a certified professional

Section (A) sets the general case for PV wiring methods, and (G) or (D) define a special case when inside a building, which overrides the general case.

The EG4 18kpv is very comparable to the sol-ark15k. Although the sol-ark does have more UL9540 listed battery options. I believe both have some ToU features as well.

Muti split systems have much worst low load efficiency then individual mini splits, bedroom cooling load is very often much less then the smallest head size which will result in comfort issues, and increased energy usage with a head per bedroom. Using a low profile ducted head in ceiling outside...

Diesel heater is good option, get a Webasto if you can afford it. Plenty of videos on YouTube about these heaters. Propane heaters also an option, RV furnaces use quite a bit of power for the fan, ventless heaters like the buddy heater release lots of moisture in to the air which outside of...

It depends on the size of your generator, if you use the gen input your generator has to be big enough to power both the house loads, and charge the battery as well. With the chargeverter you can use a smaller generator without worrying about overloading the generator.