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diy solar

diy solar

Is my Poco Loco?

ssjrapter

New Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2024
Messages
12
Location
Oklahoma City
Right now i have my stuff setup and working. I am working with my POCO for an interconnect in which i believe i only need a bidirectional meter. It seems like this is what they are demanding:

Two meters, a production meter and a utility/billing meter. It seems to me that this is redundant with my setup, as I'm trying to have backup when the grid goes down (at least while there's sun) but this setup seems a bit....redundant? as the DER meter they require is literally going to be pulling the same data as a bidirectional meter. Is there a different way they want me to install it?

Here is a pdf of their requirements but if you look at the connection pages it seems like they are assuming im doing full back feed through the breaker box (i am not) but all their communication states that i need to have 2 meters and a disconnect between the two.

This is about $600 in wire (2/0 copper isn't cheap) and another $500 in equipment just to get this correct compared to what i have currently.

Pic is what i assume they need. Solar Diagram.png
 
Ditto. POCO "demands" the production meter so they can get credit for the SREC (solar renewable energy credit). Really messes up AIO because you need something between production and consumption/export.

Requirement: PV -> Inverter (grid) -> Production Meter -> Main Panel -> Grid Meter.

With the above setup, they will allow an ATS so if the Grid goes down, the Inverter can feed the Main Panel via the Inverter's Load connection.
The ATS defeats the smooth 4 ms Islanding of the AIO, and turns it into a 2000-10000 ms transfer time.
 
With the 18kpv is there anything wrong with that setup as drawn, albeit redundant on the metering?

Will the DER meter be able to tell that i have it setup that way, i can't see why electrically i can't do it this way, and keep the grid-down redundancy. Or could i just say screw it and do it the way they want to get the bidirectional meter then redo it to just go through that bypassing the DER meter? (and make sure im not back feeding the grid in an grid-down situation)
 
With the 18kpv is there anything wrong with that setup as drawn, albeit redundant on the metering?

The production meter is one-way, so at that level it works. It is missing "self consumption", but that is the Utility's problem.

Or could i just say screw it and do it the way they want to get the bidirectional meter

That is the only way you will get PTO.

then redo it to just go through that bypassing the DER meter? (and make sure im not back feeding the grid in an grid-down situation)
Not recommended.
 
2 meters is bullcrap. I have an interconnect with a bidirectional meter and that's good enough for them. If they want two meters, it is because they want to "pay" one rate for your production and then "charge:" you for your usage, even if you're using 99% of what you're producing. Basically, it is a total ripoff for you, because they literally make money off YOUR production.
 
Sounds like I'm just going to suck up the $800 in parts and do it the way they want. Had i known better i could have moved some of the equipment down my wall and saved a boatload on wire and conduit and follow my original diagram. Keeping the islanding of the inverter and having redundant metering of sorts. Shame because for 2k more i could have a battery and somewhat accomplish the same thing (and have a battery).
 

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