Hi, I’m in the early stages of researching/planning a future gird-tied/net metered residential PV array. It will be on the larger side for residential. I am in FL, and I have a nice sunny spot that I’ve measured at 900-1000w/m^2 for hours at a time where the panels will be installed on a purpose-built pavilion with ideal southern exposure and azimuth angle. I have a rough idea what I would like to do, but need some input on if it is feasible and/or what other hardware I will need to end up with a commissionable Enphase system…
40x 590w panels (Q-cell, may change)
40x IQ8P (240v), 475w max continuous AC output (although, have only been able to find the 3P versions here in the US so far – hopefully the IQ8P’s are sourceable)
125 AMP PV input subpanel w/ 5x 20A branch PV circuits (8 PV/IQ8P’s per breaker)
125 AMP breaker in main panel, fed from PV subpanel
A Gateway somewhere in the mix, not sure where, but seems like it will find all IQ8’s as long as it’s in the loop somewhere?
Also, I should probably mention, the only reason I chose to leave out a Combiner Box 4/5 is that it seems (again, if I’m understanding correctly) that it’s just a nice-to-have clean aggregation of PV input subpanel, gateway, and a few other non-critical bells and whistles – not to mention the main breaker on it is 80A – so at 40*475w IQ8P’s I could be at near 100% load on the Combiner Box since its main is 80A @ 240 – which seems less than ideal (for my system, 100A+ would be more suitable, of course).
Then, if I understand, it seems like the IQ8’s ship in interactive (anti-islanding) mode, so I guess I don’t need a System Controller unless I intend to add a battery down the line? Or am I totally misunderstanding?
And if I do choose to add a battery down the line, can I add in the System Controller 3 (placed between meter & panel mains) and battery at a later date?
If so, assuming I sandwich my System Controller 3 between the utility meter & panel mains (I have 2x 200A panels with their mains on the outside wall, and the load panels on the inside garage wall) - will the System Controller 3 properly work that way (as an ATS/islander/battery manager), or would I have to rewire things? And if that’s where the SC3 is placed, since it would be ahead of my current neutral/ground bond, I assume I would need to unbond the original main panels, and create the bond at the SC3?
I’m a complete noob to this solar stuff, please tell me what I’m missing. Thanks!
40x 590w panels (Q-cell, may change)
40x IQ8P (240v), 475w max continuous AC output (although, have only been able to find the 3P versions here in the US so far – hopefully the IQ8P’s are sourceable)
125 AMP PV input subpanel w/ 5x 20A branch PV circuits (8 PV/IQ8P’s per breaker)
125 AMP breaker in main panel, fed from PV subpanel
A Gateway somewhere in the mix, not sure where, but seems like it will find all IQ8’s as long as it’s in the loop somewhere?
Also, I should probably mention, the only reason I chose to leave out a Combiner Box 4/5 is that it seems (again, if I’m understanding correctly) that it’s just a nice-to-have clean aggregation of PV input subpanel, gateway, and a few other non-critical bells and whistles – not to mention the main breaker on it is 80A – so at 40*475w IQ8P’s I could be at near 100% load on the Combiner Box since its main is 80A @ 240 – which seems less than ideal (for my system, 100A+ would be more suitable, of course).
Then, if I understand, it seems like the IQ8’s ship in interactive (anti-islanding) mode, so I guess I don’t need a System Controller unless I intend to add a battery down the line? Or am I totally misunderstanding?
And if I do choose to add a battery down the line, can I add in the System Controller 3 (placed between meter & panel mains) and battery at a later date?
If so, assuming I sandwich my System Controller 3 between the utility meter & panel mains (I have 2x 200A panels with their mains on the outside wall, and the load panels on the inside garage wall) - will the System Controller 3 properly work that way (as an ATS/islander/battery manager), or would I have to rewire things? And if that’s where the SC3 is placed, since it would be ahead of my current neutral/ground bond, I assume I would need to unbond the original main panels, and create the bond at the SC3?
I’m a complete noob to this solar stuff, please tell me what I’m missing. Thanks!