bighammer
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2020
- Messages
- 35
I'm underway with a 5kW ground mount grid tied system. I have posts in concrete and racking set. (all but one piece damaged by trucking company) While I wait one the one rail, I thought I'd tackle some of the wiring.
The package includes a 2 pole disconnect in a box. The wiring diagram shows it as an AC disconnect between the breaker panel and the string inverter. (Sunnyboy 5.0) I plan to mount the inverter in my basement on the wall near the panel. My question: Does this disconnect need to be outside, (as in accessible to utility personnel) or is it OK, just on the basement wall between breakers and inverter?
When I get to installing the panels, they each have a TS-4-R-F Rapid Shutdown module. THe outputs of the panels get plugged into the module inputs, then the modules are connected to form each of the 2 strings. The panel instructions say they should be covered with opaque material while installing. Even though this is a ground mount, it sounds like PITA. (can't imagine messing with it up on a roof) I'm guessing the module outputs would be dead until they are all connected to each other and the inverter. If I make the panel-module connection while the panel is still face-down, I'm thinking I should be OK, right?
Burying the lines between the array and house: I'm guessing 18" is the standard depth. It's just under 100' and I'm thinking I might trench it by hand to avoid the $200 machine rental. PVC sounds easier to me than EMT, but where it sticks up out of the ground to the transition (combiner?) box, does it need to be sch 80 or somehow protected? I thought PVC couldn't be left exposed. I might use EMT for the whole thing. Can I just go thru the basement wall at trench depth and seal with hydraulic cement, or do I have to come up, go thru wood or exposed block, then drop down again in the basement? I am close to my limit. Kit included 4 PV lines at 100' and my wall is at 93' from the array.
I guess that's it for now. Thanks in advance.
The package includes a 2 pole disconnect in a box. The wiring diagram shows it as an AC disconnect between the breaker panel and the string inverter. (Sunnyboy 5.0) I plan to mount the inverter in my basement on the wall near the panel. My question: Does this disconnect need to be outside, (as in accessible to utility personnel) or is it OK, just on the basement wall between breakers and inverter?
When I get to installing the panels, they each have a TS-4-R-F Rapid Shutdown module. THe outputs of the panels get plugged into the module inputs, then the modules are connected to form each of the 2 strings. The panel instructions say they should be covered with opaque material while installing. Even though this is a ground mount, it sounds like PITA. (can't imagine messing with it up on a roof) I'm guessing the module outputs would be dead until they are all connected to each other and the inverter. If I make the panel-module connection while the panel is still face-down, I'm thinking I should be OK, right?
Burying the lines between the array and house: I'm guessing 18" is the standard depth. It's just under 100' and I'm thinking I might trench it by hand to avoid the $200 machine rental. PVC sounds easier to me than EMT, but where it sticks up out of the ground to the transition (combiner?) box, does it need to be sch 80 or somehow protected? I thought PVC couldn't be left exposed. I might use EMT for the whole thing. Can I just go thru the basement wall at trench depth and seal with hydraulic cement, or do I have to come up, go thru wood or exposed block, then drop down again in the basement? I am close to my limit. Kit included 4 PV lines at 100' and my wall is at 93' from the array.
I guess that's it for now. Thanks in advance.