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diy solar

Wiring solar into subpanel

spacemancw

New Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2024
Messages
20
Location
Loomis CA
I have my solar panels coming into a grid-tied SolarEdge 7600 H inverter .. and then wired from the inverter into my 200 amp main panel via a 40amp breaker.
I have a 100amp sub-panel off my main breaker. I have a 100amp breaker in the main panel that can shut off the subpanel .. and it is wired with 3 gage wire.

I have the opportunity to re-wire the Solar Edge Inverter into the subpanel. The subpanel currently has a 30am breaker for the dryer and 5 20amp circuits for lights and switches.

The reason for wiring the solar to the sub panel is to allow for a hybrid inverter and batteries later down the line.

So would this be overloading my 100amp subpanel? Power from the Solar panels would have to traverse the 3-gage wire to power the rest of the circuits in the main panel, which include 40amp AC, 50amp range, 50amp EV charger and more.

thanks
 
What would be the upgraded inverter be down the road?

Your solaredge only needs a 40a breaker now, are you projecting doubling your solar output and needing an 80a breaker with a new set up?

It almost sounds like this wiring change is only needed once you upgrade to a hybrid inverter/batteries of substantial size.
 
I dont plan on adding any more solar panels ...so the 40a breaker is all I need. The opportunity for the wiring is because the siding on the house is being re-done and currently the whole thing is stripped and I have access to all the wiring. I was thinking the EG4 12k or 18k hybrid inverter down the road.
 
Would not the 120% rule make this idea a non starter ?
cant put a 40a solar breaker feeding a 100a panel
 
Well all the designs I see are .. Solar to inverter, to critical loads panel (sub-panel) to hybrid inverter to main 200a panel.
Is the critical loads panel also supposed to be a 200a panel? What gage wire from the CL panel to the hybrid inverter and from there to the main panel?

1727188755094.png
 
Would not the 120% rule make this idea a non starter ?
cant put a 40a solar breaker feeding a 100a panel
Sure you can, as long as the grid feed in from the main panel is limited. I have a 40A solar input breaker going into a 100A rated sub panel, that has a 60A breaker feeding it from the main.
 
Currently I have this setup.

1727724689382.png



With the hybrid inverter and battery, there will be no direct connection from the subpanel to the main panel.

The Solar will go into the subpanel on a 40a breaker, and the subpanel will go to the hybrid inverter (EG4 12PV). What kind of breaker is there on the input of the EG4, coming from the subpanel? What kind of breaker on the output of the EG4 to the main panel?

Just FYI, I have the subpanel because I ran out of spaces for breakers on the main panel .. but now that I have it .. it is a good opportunity to wire up a battery.
 
Sure you can, as long as the grid feed in from the main panel is limited. I have a 40A solar input breaker going into a 100A rated sub panel, that has a 60A breaker feeding it from the main.
So you have solar -> Subpanel -> Main Panel .... no hybrid inverter between panels?
 

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