is outdoor AC disconnect required by NEC

[rustyrotors]

suppose I had a ground solar array and an outdoor enclosure that housed an offgrid solar power system (batteries, charger, inverter), located 100ft from the main dwelling, so that the only wires entering the main dwelling is the 120/240VAC service from solar system. According to NEC, is an AC disconnect required for the solar system somewhere between the outdoor solar equipment enclosure and the dwelling? or is the main breaker on the breaker panel located inside the dwelling sufficient? If yes to outdoor disconnect, assuming there is a separate meter for grid service, does it need to be located near that, or can it be located on the outdoor solar equipment enclosure?

 

[DIYrich]

If you have a fire, the fireman will kill power to the house at the meter. Put the disconnect there. Not inside. You don't want them spending 5 minutes looking for the disconnect before going into the house to save your kids.

 

[rustyrotors]

if the inverter has its own 40A breakers on its outputs, and the wire feeding the dwelling from the inverter is sized for those breakers, can an unfused 40A+ hvac-type disconnect be used?

 

[rustyrotors]

i got this today to use for outdoor disconnect, says its rated for service disconnect

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Eaton-125-Amp-2-Spaces-4-Circuit-Main-Lug-Load-Center/1002647494

 

[Mason Parsons]

Yep, according to NEC, an outdoor AC disconnect is required for your setup. It should be between your solar equipment enclosure and the dwelling. As for the location, it's best near the separate meter for grid service, but if that's not feasible, it can be on the outdoor solar equipment enclosure. The main breaker inside the dwelling isn't enough on its own. So, yeah, you'll need that disconnect to meet code.