I need help with hybrid system please. We have utility power but it goes off from time to time. I'd like to supplement and/or replace it. Our daily average usage is only 15-18 kwh. I can't determine where to input the power and whether or not to do roof mount or ground mount. Our utility power comes into a pedestal with smart meter and main breaker panel about 80 feet in front of the house. In that panel is a 200 amp main breaker, a 50 amp 2 pole that feeds the house panel, a 30 amp 2 pole that feeds the well (in another direction from the house) and a couple of 20 and 30 amp single phase RV outlets that we never use. In the garage we have the distribution panel that also has a 200 amp main breaker and I have or can easily make space to add a couple of 2 pole breakers for a split phase solar system.
Questions I need help with-
Can the 2 pole breaker that supplies power to the inverter and the 2 pole breaker that delivers power from the inverter be in the same panel or do I need to add a subpanel somewhere?
Do I need to do a ground mount array and have a hybrid inverter/batteries connected at the pedestal main to make sure that I can have power for the well from there or can I roof mount panels and put the inverter and batteries in the garage? Would it "backfeed" to the main panel at the pedestal to supply power for the well? If I do that then I'll have to build an "outhouse" solar shed nearby to protect it and insulate it. We live at almost 8000 elevation and do have some cold winters and lots of snow....
My garage roof faces SSW and is metal so it seems to be a perfect orientation for panels and we have over 300 days of sun/year
Would a hybrid inverter automatically turn off utility power of solar or battery power was available regardless of which panel it connected to? I am not interested in selling power to the grid at all, ever, just want to be self sufficient.
Lastly, in sizing the inverter, the well pump(s) would be an inductive load but both pumps (submersible at 550' deep and booster pump for pressure tank) both run off that 30a/2pole service to the whole water system so I am thinking a 6KW high frequency inverter could handle it but maybe an 8KW would be better. I am looking at a system from Sungold Power that has an 8KW hybrid inverter (LF) about 10KWH of batteries and 8 415 watt panels for a great price but feel like I have seen more negative reviews than positive for them. When they advertise on Facebook all of their comments (positive and negative) are never shown and other reviews have not been great. I have also looked at an 8KW Megarevo and it has very nice features and seems like a SolArk in most aspects at a fraction of the cost.
I've been mulling this over for too long and need to do something now and really appreciate that opportunity to get opinions form more knowledgable people about this dilema. Thank you in advance.
Bob
Questions I need help with-
Can the 2 pole breaker that supplies power to the inverter and the 2 pole breaker that delivers power from the inverter be in the same panel or do I need to add a subpanel somewhere?
Do I need to do a ground mount array and have a hybrid inverter/batteries connected at the pedestal main to make sure that I can have power for the well from there or can I roof mount panels and put the inverter and batteries in the garage? Would it "backfeed" to the main panel at the pedestal to supply power for the well? If I do that then I'll have to build an "outhouse" solar shed nearby to protect it and insulate it. We live at almost 8000 elevation and do have some cold winters and lots of snow....
My garage roof faces SSW and is metal so it seems to be a perfect orientation for panels and we have over 300 days of sun/year
Would a hybrid inverter automatically turn off utility power of solar or battery power was available regardless of which panel it connected to? I am not interested in selling power to the grid at all, ever, just want to be self sufficient.
Lastly, in sizing the inverter, the well pump(s) would be an inductive load but both pumps (submersible at 550' deep and booster pump for pressure tank) both run off that 30a/2pole service to the whole water system so I am thinking a 6KW high frequency inverter could handle it but maybe an 8KW would be better. I am looking at a system from Sungold Power that has an 8KW hybrid inverter (LF) about 10KWH of batteries and 8 415 watt panels for a great price but feel like I have seen more negative reviews than positive for them. When they advertise on Facebook all of their comments (positive and negative) are never shown and other reviews have not been great. I have also looked at an 8KW Megarevo and it has very nice features and seems like a SolArk in most aspects at a fraction of the cost.
I've been mulling this over for too long and need to do something now and really appreciate that opportunity to get opinions form more knowledgable people about this dilema. Thank you in advance.
Bob