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Grid-Tie, Cheap and simple

Supervstech said:
Ideally, you want the voltage as close to the maximum the microinverters can handle.
Higher voltage is easier to convert to line voltage.
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Because they were cheap, I have panels with 83 cells, which work with the inverters meant for 72 cell panels :)
 
Hey guys, quick update. Got mc4 connectors to replace the old "mc" type connectors. Im using the renogy connectors that are a tad more expensive but work well amd seem to be high quality. 6 more inverters also came in the mail today bringing me to a total inverter wattage of around 1.5kw. Still waiting on breaker, throw switch and a few odds and ends before assembly. I ran the single inverter for 4 days and made 4.5 kwh just leaning against the garage nearly vertical.20200115_150014.jpg
 
Im using new inverters from a company that went out of business. I dont really want to give away the brand at the moment because id hate for them to go out of stock. As soon as they're gone they're gone and im buying them as i can afford them at very low cost vs. New.
 
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Those Shell Solar modules are the best of the best. They will likely last 75 years.

Better than gold!
 
Not in my case. It cannot be eaten, smoked or built with, makes terrible machine screw hardware and does not keep the woodpile dry!

Ill take the steady flow of electrons for life and then leave it to some younger people.
 
A quick update. Had some time yesterday and today to work on my pipe racking. Its not great but it should do. Old well pipe a few pieces didn't hold pressure anymore but still works great for structure. I've decided to set this whole structure on the roof of my garage. Before anyone gets carried away with solar angles and calculations, plainly I don't really care they are pointing south and will get enough sun. I will have 2x180w panels per 220w inverter, one 220w inverter with 3x140w panels and 3 more 220w inverters with 2x140w panels. It's what I have and what I'm using. The panels are used and possibly degraded so hopefully each inverter can realize its 220w potential. Some previews of ground assembly.

download_20200131_143650.jpgdownload_20200131_143646.jpgdownload_20200131_143642.jpgdownload_20200131_143640.jpg
 
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Hey guys, I know that I don't post often on the forum but I lurk and PM often. I have still been making progress one hour at a time and thought I would show how far I have come. I know that I am not a professional by any means but its up and working. As of right now I have 8 panels on the top of the garage. Each panel is 140 watts and 2 panels feed each 220 watt inverter. They are UL listed string inverters and continue to a Disconnect switch and then to a 15 amp breaker as the manufacturer required. I finally threw the switch yesterday and started making power again. Its cloudy but still producing, waiting for the sun to pop out but excited. Feedback is appreciated, this is a work in progress and I aim to make everything safer and overall better as I go along. As I stated before, this is more of a demo system for me and is intended to make "some power" while learning stuff. Its on my detached garage so I don't have to worry about burning down my house trying to be a mad scientist. The yellower cable that's all floppy is the one I threw in there.20200222_102251.jpg20200222_102321.jpg20200222_103937.jpg
 
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The inverter is micro replus. Sold on amazon $60ish Its a closeout deal by discount jungle. :) I'm done buying them as I have what I need. If anyone help with them I can talk you through it. 220 watts out 22v-55v in. Mppt, rapid shut down, ul listed, all that jazz...
 
The inverters are attached to each pair of panels. They are string inverters so they plug into each other to make a line. I just ran 12/2 romex with ground from the 15amp 220v breaker I added. From the breaker I ran the wire to an outdoor rated disconnect. Next I ran it to a box behind the wall and wired in the first inverter directly. I'm adding a little at a time but I'm 880watts of inverter with 1120w of solar over paneled. More detail in previous posts. Still adding more.
 
Well, as of today the rest of my inverters and panels are installed. I had to wait for a break in the rain. It should be raining for another week or so. I average about 25% of production capacity when it's raining which is better than I expected. Other people have seen my system and love that it costs so little. Total cost is under $1200 for 1500watt of inverter connected to 2500 watts of panel. I figure free air conditioning during sunlight hours will be really nice in summer. consumed by household loads. Its ugly but pictures to follow.
 
TheDroidsYouAreLookingFor said:
To be fair My quored price was for someone else installing everything. In my state and county permitting is expensive, and everything is highly regulated. (Even solar racking has to be specifically approved) i priced just getting the smallest system then adding on with my own and it was still quite a lot. $1500-$3000 is just the electrical engineering of the system. Even then i wouldnt be allowed to use my panels because they are "old" and not on the ever evolving list of new stuff thats allowed. I want my system to be safe i just dont want to line someone elses pockets to make my own power. Even the connection agreement requires money that would cost more than my entire system.

I have seen the sun grid tie systemscand have thought of using a current limiting system. If i go that route i will use frontius or victron units that are ul listed and known for quality and longevity. The new ESS Victon self consuming systems being my favorite using a multiplus II with current sensor. Up to 5,000 watts, phase balancing, time shifting ect. Its a programmable power wall that works on or off grid.

Also i eventually plan to sell my house and move, somewhere for the same reasons Will did in his videos. I may or may not pull the trigger on my new home for grid tied solar. For now price per watt i think minimalist setup is the best bet.
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I really agree with everything you said. The stiff permitting here also leaves me going your route. I went with the MPP LV2424 Hybrid inverter myself, here is my DIY Tesla Powerwall thread if you're interested to see the route I'm going.
 
Sorry For the Delay in getting this completed Photo up here. I have been running this for over a month. It has averaged 8Kwh each day last month. Now that its just sunny all day production is at 10Kwh or a little over each day. I monitor the system with a wireless baby monitor that sits in my kitchen window and jot down the running Kwh Total each day. I included some photos of the completed system. Total cost I believe was around $1150 all said and done. My next solar related project is DC Electric Water Heating. I made a post and I hope people check it out and help with ideas. I'm not afraid to fail, but I don't like to give up.

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This system has had zero downtime since installed. I expanded it last summer adding 2500 watts of panels and maxed my inverters to 14 on the string. I regularly produce 2.8-3 kw for 6 hours a day. Panels aren't facing any specific direction so outpul is lower but everything is used and so cheap. I also helped my brother install a similar system at his house and installed one at my parents house that is 1kw. All are running great and I have been telling my friends to do it as well. Install it safely, mind your grounding and run proper wiring.
 
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