Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 20,808
What has the utility company charged you for a transformer installation or upgrade on their side of the meter?
How flexible/negotiable were they?
I have a house in Oakland, CA. with 100A service.
To support the PV install I want to do, and for more loads like electric heat (presently all gas), shop tools, EV, I need to upgrade.
I observed HV 3-phase two poles away from the house, stepped down to 120/240V split-phase one pole away (but apparently I'm fed from transformer on other side of block and wires going around the block.)
So I'm inquiring if PG&E can give me 120/208Y service.
I think I'll use a Square-D panel with 225A busbar, 150A main breaker. 120% rule would allow 120A PV breaker, more than I need for PV but allows more current draw by a battery-backup system.
(200A main breaker and 70A PV would also work, requires more from utility. Don't know if they would need bigger transformer or size for expected load not breaker size. But maybe no one other than me will use it?)
So far PG&E has received my request an visited to observe pole and wire locations. Indicated it could be a substantial cost to me. But also said even split-phase upgrade for me might require larger transformer.
With encouragement for consumers to install electric heating, the utility is going to need to upgrade transformers, possibly wires, even for split-phase. I'd like the to at least cost-share 3-phase connection.
How flexible/negotiable were they?
I have a house in Oakland, CA. with 100A service.
To support the PV install I want to do, and for more loads like electric heat (presently all gas), shop tools, EV, I need to upgrade.
I observed HV 3-phase two poles away from the house, stepped down to 120/240V split-phase one pole away (but apparently I'm fed from transformer on other side of block and wires going around the block.)
So I'm inquiring if PG&E can give me 120/208Y service.
I think I'll use a Square-D panel with 225A busbar, 150A main breaker. 120% rule would allow 120A PV breaker, more than I need for PV but allows more current draw by a battery-backup system.
(200A main breaker and 70A PV would also work, requires more from utility. Don't know if they would need bigger transformer or size for expected load not breaker size. But maybe no one other than me will use it?)
So far PG&E has received my request an visited to observe pole and wire locations. Indicated it could be a substantial cost to me. But also said even split-phase upgrade for me might require larger transformer.
With encouragement for consumers to install electric heating, the utility is going to need to upgrade transformers, possibly wires, even for split-phase. I'd like the to at least cost-share 3-phase connection.