EscapedAritst
New Member
I am planning my new home to run on a residential off-grid solar system (I never want to feed back onto the grid or power equipment from the grid). But, I want to choose either the grid or a generator to backup the panels when the batteries are running low. Right now, I am trying to price a grid backup system. The distance from my meter to my main panel is 1000ft. A "normal" grid service that would power the entire house from the grid would typically require a 200amp service with two power cables, a neutral cable, and a ground cable running all the way from the meter to the main panel. Obviously, this would be very expensive.
My first question: When using the grid power to only charge batteries (i.e. never for equipment), do I need the neutral and/or the ground cables?
Second question: Since I'm only using the grid to charge batteries, can I limit the amperage at the inverter/charge controller in order to use smaller cables for the long run? If so, how do you typically do that?
My first question: When using the grid power to only charge batteries (i.e. never for equipment), do I need the neutral and/or the ground cables?
Second question: Since I'm only using the grid to charge batteries, can I limit the amperage at the inverter/charge controller in order to use smaller cables for the long run? If so, how do you typically do that?