I made this plan with Gemini AI. I have a garage apartment that is being finished. I will have room for about 10 panels on the roof. The apt has a subpanel connected to the main panel in the house. I want to be able to be able to use the solar to offset my costs. Batteries and a hybrid inverter will allow me to have some backup power in case of grid power failure. Is it reasonable to use the main and subpanel as the critical load panels? Just turn everything else off and just power the circuits I need? Of course I will have a transfer switch on the service entrance. Can you take a look? Would love recs on any of the hardware as well. Dog pic for visibility and tax purposes.
Thanks
System Overview
System Overview
|| || |Component|Recommendation|Estimated Price| |Solar Panels (10 x 400W)|Trina Solar, REC, Q Cells|$4,000 - $6,000| |Hybrid Inverter|Sol-Ark 12k|$5,000 - $7,000| |Batteries (10 kWh)|Blue Planet Energy, SimpliPhi|$8,000 - $12,000| |Combiner Box|MidNite Solar, Schneider Electric|$500 - $1,000| |Racking and Mounting|IronRidge, Unirac|$1,000 - $2,000| |Wiring and Conduit|Varies based on length and type|$500 - $1,500| |Manual Transfer Switch|Reliance Controls, Generac|$500 - $1,000| |Installation (Electrician)|Licensed electrician|$3,000 - $5,000| |Total Estimated Cost||$22,500 - $35,500|
Additional Costs:
By following this plan, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goals of lower energy costs, energy independence, and a reliable backup power system.
Thanks
System Overview
- Goal: Reduce electrical costs, achieve energy independence, and have a robust backup power system.
- Location: Atlanta, GA (no net metering)
- Solar Panels: 10 high-efficiency monocrystalline panels (around 400W each)
- Inverter: Hybrid inverter with integrated ATS (e.g., Sol-Ark 12k)
- Batteries: Lithium-ion (LiFePO4) battery bank (e.g., Blue Planet Energy, SimpliPhi)
- Generator: Existing generator with inlet box on garage subpanel
- Transfer Switch: Manual transfer switch at the service entrance
- Critical Loads Panels: Main panel and subpanel
- Monitoring: Inverter-integrated monitoring and optional add-on systems
System Overview
- Goal: Reduce electrical costs, achieve energy independence, and have a robust backup power system.
- Location: Atlanta, GA (no net metering)
- Solar Panels: 10 high-efficiency monocrystalline panels (around 400W each)
- Inverter: Hybrid inverter with integrated ATS (e.g., Sol-Ark 12k)
- Batteries: Lithium-ion (LiFePO4) battery bank (e.g., Blue Planet Energy, SimpliPhi)
- Generator: Existing generator with inlet box on garage subpanel
- Transfer Switch: Manual transfer switch at the service entrance
- Critical Loads Panels: Main panel and subpanel
- Monitoring: Inverter-integrated monitoring and optional add-on systems
|| || |Component|Recommendation|Estimated Price| |Solar Panels (10 x 400W)|Trina Solar, REC, Q Cells|$4,000 - $6,000| |Hybrid Inverter|Sol-Ark 12k|$5,000 - $7,000| |Batteries (10 kWh)|Blue Planet Energy, SimpliPhi|$8,000 - $12,000| |Combiner Box|MidNite Solar, Schneider Electric|$500 - $1,000| |Racking and Mounting|IronRidge, Unirac|$1,000 - $2,000| |Wiring and Conduit|Varies based on length and type|$500 - $1,500| |Manual Transfer Switch|Reliance Controls, Generac|$500 - $1,000| |Installation (Electrician)|Licensed electrician|$3,000 - $5,000| |Total Estimated Cost||$22,500 - $35,500|
Additional Costs:
- Permitting fees
- Battery monitoring system (optional)
- Smart home energy management devices (optional)
- Detailed Design: Work with a qualified solar installer or use online design tools to create a detailed system layout, including panel placement, wiring diagrams, and component specifications.
- Installer Selection: Get quotes from multiple reputable solar installers.
- Permitting: Obtain necessary permits from your local building department and utility company.
- Installation:
- Hire a licensed electrician to install the inverter, batteries, combiner box, transfer switch, and wiring.
- Ensure the electrician is experienced with solar and battery backup systems.
- Commissioning: Test the system thoroughly to ensure proper operation.
- Battery Capacity: The estimated 10 kWh battery capacity is a starting point. Adjust based on your desired backup time and energy consumption.
- Generator Integration: Ensure the generator is properly sized and interconnected with the transfer switch.
- Load Management: Prioritize essential circuits during backup periods to conserve battery power.
- Monitoring: Utilize the inverter's monitoring capabilities and consider additional monitoring systems for detailed insights.
- Safety: Always prioritize safety and follow electrical codes and best practices.
By following this plan, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goals of lower energy costs, energy independence, and a reliable backup power system.