Solar Build - Advice, Tips, Feedback

[CableguyLarry]

I am building a solar setup and wanted to see if the community finds any discrepancies with the major components I am planning to use. Battery, solar panel, and inverter will be posted below (and no these aren't affiliated links). I believe all of these parts will work well together but if anybody catches an issue that I might've missed please let me know.

BATTERY - EG4 LL-S 48v 100ah Lithium
I plan to use 3 of these in parallel. I may need to start with just 2; but if I can afford a third one; I will go with 3.

EG4 LL-S Lithium Battery | 48V 100AH | Server Rack Battery | UL1973, UL9540A | 10-Year Warranty

EG4 LL-S 48V 100AH Lithium Battery for server racks. UL1973 & UL9540A certified with a 10-year warranty. Reliable power and safety for your solar setup. Available now at Signature Solar.

signaturesolar.com

SOLAR PANEL - Aptos DNA-120-MF10-440W Monocrystalline Monofacial
I want to go with 5-10 of these panels. If I can afford all 10 I plan to run 2 parallel sets of 5 in series. I have other panels I'm considering but so far these ones are my first choice

Aptos 440W Monofacial Solar Panel

Aptos 440W Monofacial Black Solar Panels DNA-120-MF10-440W: High-efficiency, sleek black panels delivering robust power output for advanced solar setups. Available now at Signature Solar.

signaturesolar.com

INVERTER/CHARGER - Growatt SPF 5000ES 48v 100a pv-450vdc
So I've heard about these inverters are built to European standards and they offer ones that are for US. If not this inverter, I was looking at eg4 3000EHV-48 but it's lower watt rating and amp rating means I would have to reconfigure my panels setup.

Growatt 5kW Stackable Off-Grid Inverter | SPF 5000 ES

Explore the Growatt 5kW Off-Grid Inverter SPF 5000 ES: Unveil stackable power solutions for versatile and reliable off-grid energy management. Available now at Signature Solar.

signaturesolar.com

EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter | 3000EHV-48 | 3000W Output | 5000W PV Input | 500 VOC Input

Power your off-grid setup with the EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter (Model 3000EHV-48), ensuring reliable energy conversion and performance for residential and small commercial applications. Available now at Signature Solar.

signaturesolar.com

Let me know what you guys think. I want to make sure I do this job right the first time; I'll appreciate any constructive criticism you guys can offer. Thank you.

 

[seneysolar]

What are you trying to power with the inverter?

 

[AH Trimble]

What is, where is, your written plan?
Your power "needs" and power "wants"?
# of sun hours per day for each season?
This statement worries me..."I believe all of these parts will work well together"

 

[quantum`]

All of it's bad.

 

[donb108]

I did something similar with my shed system; there are a couple of issues to consider. The EG3 3K is 120Vac output only, so that's how you have to wire the breaker box; 240Vac is easier. Also, as I recall, that inverter requires 120Vdc from the panel string to start working, so may need all 5 panels wired in series to get that high.

The batteries are 48V, so I assume you're building a 48V system. The EG4 3K is about as small as you can get in 48V; might want to reconsider.

When shopping for panels, I think lots of people look for mono/half cut/perc; it looks like the Aptos fit that bill. I have limited space for panels, so I'm looking for the most power per sq. in. I can get. I calculate the power-density as 7.6595 watts/sq.in. ((82.4 x 40.9) / 440). That's right in the middle; I've found the range to be 7.0xx to 8.0xx, so 7.6 is OK. By the way, they may be a bit pricey, have you looked at Santan yet?

D

Post in thread 'Panels on a shed'

Feb 2, 2024

I checked with a friend that does generator installs. For generators, he gets a permit for every job, but says not to bother in this case (stand-alone, not connected to home, off-grid). He also offered to file on my behafe if I decided I need one.

• donb108

• 

 

[CableguyLarry]

What are you trying to power with the inverter?

Thank you for your response. I have a camper that I want to setup on a recently purchased undeveloped piece of land. Eventually, I want to install a well on the property. And a single or double wide trailer.
The camper is setup for 120vac and 12vdc. It has a refrigerator that uses 120, an air-conditioning unit that also uses 120, and a 15amp microwave also on 120. It also has various lights and outlets available.

I am primarily focused on supplying power to refrigerator and air-conditioner; summers can get hot and so I will want to run it for the majority of the day. I don't have much electrical demand besides those two major components, aside from phone charging and lights.

I have additional details if needed.

 

[CableguyLarry]

What is, where is, your written plan?
Your power "needs" and power "wants"?
# of sun hours per day for each season?
This statement worries me..."I believe all of these parts will work well together"

I did sit down with pen and paper and calculate my power requirements; I just didn't want to bog down the question with too many details, sorry about that.

 

[CableguyLarry]

All of it's bad.

Any other recommendations you might have?

 

[CableguyLarry]

I did something similar with my shed system; there are a couple of issues to consider. The EG3 3K is 120Vac output only, so that's how you have to wire the breaker box; 240Vac is easier. Also, as I recall, that inverter requires 120Vdc from the panel string to start working, so may need all 5 panels wired in series to get that high.

The batteries are 48V, so I assume you're building a 48V system. The EG4 3K is about as small as you can get in 48V; might want to reconsider.

When shopping for panels, I think lots of people look for mono/half cut/perc; it looks like the Aptos fit that bill. I have limited space for panels, so I'm looking for the most power per sq. in. I can get. I calculate the power-density as 7.6595 watts/sq.in. ((82.4 x 40.9) / 440). That's right in the middle; I've found the range to be 7.0xx to 8.0xx, so 7.6 is OK. By the way, they may be a bit pricey, have you looked at Santan yet?

D

Post in thread 'Panels on a shed'

Feb 2, 2024

I checked with a friend that does generator installs. For generators, he gets a permit for every job, but says not to bother in this case (stand-alone, not connected to home, off-grid). He also offered to file on my behafe if I decided I need one.

• donb108

• 

Hey thanks for the response. I wasn't too interested in the eg4 inverter; I was more so leaning towards the growatt for its 5kwh and 100amp max charge rate. I would be wanting to build a 48v system and it would be for a camper setup temporarily. I would eventually like for it to expand and supply power for a well and mobile home. The system will be for offgrid use, sorry, forgot to mention that.

 

[donb108]

I would be wanting to build a 48v system and it would be for a camper setup temporarily.

If you're looking for temporary, then something like Will's hand-truck build might be worth looking at.

Eventually, I want to install a well on the property.

As I recall, well pumps are hard to start with these type of inverters. Anything with a large inductive load (pumps, compressors, car lifts, etc.) can be a challenge; there's lots of videos showing that sort of thing.

On the other hand, people use min-split heat pumps with these inverters all the time. Most mini-splits have DC motors with inverter drives, so they can start with very low power.