Can any power inverter tie into the grid?

[dougget]

Hi,
Looking to do a simple/small grid tie solar experiment.

I can get a 45w solar panel kit from Harbor Freight for $200. It comes with a charge controller that has 12v cigarette lighter style outputs. OK so far... Now for the tie into the grid. I can get a 100w 12v to 110v power inverter for about $25. These are typically used to convert a car or boat 12v source to power low amp 110v items like a laptop or DVD player etc. Since these small power inverters usually have one or two 110v female plugs on them, would it be possible to splice an extension cord so that it has two male ends. Plug one into the inverter and the other into the wall outlet?

Did I just build a 45 what grid tie solar system?

Here's a picture of what I have in mind.

Doug

[russ]

1) The 45 watt Horrible fright panel is next to useless and very overpriced.

2) Back feeding a plug like you describe is against the rules and with enough current plus a little bad luck can burn your house down. As the piece of junk is not intended for that use the insurance company can refuse payment should they figure out what happened.

3) You just built a potential death trap.

[Sunking]

No is the only answer to your question. It takes a special inverter to interconnect to the grid. But for grins and giggles making fun of you let's assume you could do what you want. First total up the cost.

45 watt Harbor Fright Panel Kit $200
50 watt Inverter another $50
12 volt 50 AH battery which you would have to have, another $100.

Total amount around $300 to $350. Keep this number in mind.

The system will generate at best 150 watt hours of electricity per day. That amounts to about 2-cents per day of electricity. That cheap battery will need replaced in 2 years if you give it TLC and do not abuse it. So in two years or 730 days the system generates 730 x 150 watt hours = 110 Kwh. That brings you Kwh cost to $300 / 110 Kwh = $2.72 / Kwh.

Right now that does not mean much to you and where we get to laugh at you. Want to know what is so funny? You can buy that same electricity from the Power company (POCO) for about 10 to 15 cents per Kwh. So tell us which is lower in cost?

$2.72/Kwh from Mr Happy Green Solar, or $0.15/Kwh from the greedy ole POCO?

[Mike90250]

Let's talk about Light Shows. Specifically, arc lights and smelly smoke.

That's what you will get if you try to plug in any inverter to a wall outlet.
arc_flash_application1.jpg

Grid Tie inverters are pure sine wave and take 5 minutes to sync to the grid, before they begin to produce power. They are also hard wired into a electrical panel with their own breakers.

[Rdjntx]

you have it all wrong .. he said 45 what grid tie not 45 watt. whats are more grid friendly that watts ... and are less likely to burn a house down

No is the only answer to your question. It takes a special inverter to interconnect to the grid. But for grins and giggles making fun of you let's assume you could do what you want. First total up the cost.

45 watt Harbor Fright Panel Kit $200
50 watt Inverter another $50
12 volt 50 AH battery which you would have to have, another $100.

Total amount around $300 to $350. Keep this number in mind.

The system will generate at best 150 watt hours of electricity per day. That amounts to about 2-cents per day of electricity. That cheap battery will need replaced in 2 years if you give it TLC and do not abuse it. So in two years or 730 days the system generates 730 x 150 watt hours = 110 Kwh. That brings you Kwh cost to $300 / 110 Kwh = $2.72 / Kwh.

Right now that does not mean much to you and where we get to laugh at you. Want to know what is so funny? You can buy that same electricity from the Power company (POCO) for about 10 to 15 cents per Kwh. So tell us which is lower in cost?

$2.72/Kwh from Mr Happy Green Solar, or $0.15/Kwh from the greedy ole POCO?

[daz]

Did I just build a 45 what grid tie solar system?

Hi there Doug. Welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

The simple answer to your question is no.........
As Derick and Russ have already mentioned, grid-tie systems require special inverters that are designed to connect to the grid. Using a standard inverter will just lead to a big bang with lots of smoke...and perhaps some fire The only inverters that you can use to connect to the grid are grid-tie inverters...

[daz]

whats are more grid friendly that watts ... and are less likely to burn a house down

[Sunny Solar]

OH you all spoil sports..

YES you can connect it to the grid BUT before you do set up a video camera on the inverter then send the finished video to "worlds funniest videos" What was I thinking?

Another important thing call the fire services also before you do it so they can be on hand to stop your house completely burning down.