CaliSunHarvester
Solar Enthusiast
Hello, I do have a possibly not standard situation where I have an existing permitted grid-tied solar installation (approx from 2003, 40 panels 125W each, with 2 strings -- the inverters failed in 2016 and 2017 and were replaced). No batteries in 2003.
In spite of average daily production of 12kWh per day (long term average), I still pay $5000+ for electricity. E.g. over 900kWh in September.
So, I put together a secondary system with a Sungoldpower 10kW inverter, batteries and so far ~6.3kW panels.
The new system is not tied to the grid. My idea is to move a few circuits like fridges, lights from the 200A "utility service panel" to the new 100A "solar service panel".
The problem is that in summer, I could probably move 20 circuits and in winter not more than 5.
I see that @Kenny_ hooked up the AC-in, presumably from a 50A-240V breaker in the "utility service" panel. My understanding is that this 50A breaker will work both directions. If the inverter needs energy from the utility, it will pull. If there is excess energy, it will back-feed.
Now, since I already do have a permitted grid-tied installation, this could go undetected.
My concern is the blue-box which does the "rapid shutdown" in event of a power outage.
How is this addressed? Can I prevent my inverter (Sungoldpower 10kW model) from backfeeding? I would prefer to have power from my secondary system during an outage.. which in our neighborhood has taken as long as a week (!) last winter.
How did you do this, @Kenny_ ?
One work-around for times of bad production is to use a 10A 48V charger to charge the batteries from the grid if there's not enough sun. Very slow, inadequate.
In spite of average daily production of 12kWh per day (long term average), I still pay $5000+ for electricity. E.g. over 900kWh in September.
So, I put together a secondary system with a Sungoldpower 10kW inverter, batteries and so far ~6.3kW panels.
The new system is not tied to the grid. My idea is to move a few circuits like fridges, lights from the 200A "utility service panel" to the new 100A "solar service panel".
The problem is that in summer, I could probably move 20 circuits and in winter not more than 5.
I see that @Kenny_ hooked up the AC-in, presumably from a 50A-240V breaker in the "utility service" panel. My understanding is that this 50A breaker will work both directions. If the inverter needs energy from the utility, it will pull. If there is excess energy, it will back-feed.
Now, since I already do have a permitted grid-tied installation, this could go undetected.
My concern is the blue-box which does the "rapid shutdown" in event of a power outage.
How is this addressed? Can I prevent my inverter (Sungoldpower 10kW model) from backfeeding? I would prefer to have power from my secondary system during an outage.. which in our neighborhood has taken as long as a week (!) last winter.
How did you do this, @Kenny_ ?
One work-around for times of bad production is to use a 10A 48V charger to charge the batteries from the grid if there's not enough sun. Very slow, inadequate.
