I don’t see that as a concern. She knows what she’s putting in, her present usage, and probably has a calculator on her phone. I’d guess for myself anyways that figuring it out isn’t much of an obstacle and one should overbuild a bit anyways. The chance of being “short” seems small to me.@S610 as the house has not been built yet, how do you plan to do a power audit to determine total power needed?
May I make a suggestion. Since you are in the building stage, have a meter/main combination panel(pictured) and a separate distribution panel. This will allow for a manual transfer switch later with much less hassle. Your electrician/contractor won’t like it …..too bad.Actually that is the plan! In fact I will probably record the vital bits in case I do have to replace a failed part. The installer won't like it but we can work something out.
This house is being built from the ground up in a tiny Southern town 200 miles from where I live now. I am a retirement aged female with NO construction/electrical experience! The builders already think I'm an odd/eccentric for wanting an off-grid passive cooled house; if I threw in "Oh by the way...I'm going to install part of the solar myself" I would never get a decent GC or electrician to take on the rest of the job!
In fact if they agreed to let someone like me do it they obviously have very poor judgement and I wouldn't trust them to build a quality house.
Why wouldn't they?Your electrician/contractor won’t like it …..too bad.
That also meets code.New construction meter/distribution panels like this are no longer code? Cool….
View attachment 147928
That also meets code.
The code now requires a main disconnect on the outside of the home.
Thank you! I am saving that post in my notes.May I make a suggestion. Since you are in the building stage, have a meter/main combination panel(pictured) and a separate distribution panel. This will allow for a manual transfer switch later with much less hassle. Your electrician/contractor won’t like it …..too bad.View attachment 147920
I have some reservations about this.I don’t see that as a concern. She knows what she’s putting in, her present usage, and probably has a calculator on her phone. I’d guess for myself anyways that figuring it out isn’t much of an obstacle and one should overbuild a bit anyways. The chance of being “short” seems small to me.
Diy, or a local electrician.In response to @Mattb4 comment once I decided to go with off grid rather than the grid tied system I 've had for years, I haven't found anyone willing to do that.
All the companies want to do grid tied packages only. I have only been actively looking for someone for a few months, so I will find someone but there isn't much activity with off grid solar yet in my very rural area.
now there is an understatement!Diy, or a local electrician.
Most of the "solar installers" are interested in the fast money. (Easy, simple)
I believe it's about money mostly, but also the unhappy customers that want grid level power at way less than the grid. The big franchises are sucking up the easily repeated ,grid tied, rooftop mount solar business.Diy, or a local electrician.
Most of the "solar installers" are interested in the fast money. (Easy, simple)
i hope the conversion on my real house is easier... its got 8.5 kw of panels and once the payoff form the grid tie drops i will convert it to a grid assist battery backup model. biggest issue for me will be the automatic transfer switch which is mandated for all grid ties of any sort here... that will be at least 3k.Yup, it's quick profits.
Throw some panels on the roof. Run a conduit down the side of the house. Throw up a disconnect and inverter. Run a circuit into the main panel, and put it on a breaker.
Write up the invoice..... done.