I am trying to find some info from somebody else who is in the Peco utility market he did a grid-tie install either by themselves or via an electrician.
Let me explain the issues I have run into and where I need help.
I am not a licensed electrician, but I am extremely handy when it comes to anything mechanical/electrical. I was an electrical engineering major in college, so I definitely know how to work around panels and wiring. I do almost all my own electrical work inside my home, BUT, I'm not a lineman, so clearly I dont work in the meter area or outside connections. PS - utility feed is underground, it comes up the side of my house and terminates in a meter box 3 ft off the ground
I want to install a 20x panel enphase system, grid-tie. Seems simple enough, roof rail rack systems, connect all the panels, wiring it down the side of the house to an outside disconnect, properly ground it. Thats the easy part, and I have estimated $12,000 or so in parts/materials through a reputable online vendor. All of this work I can do myself.
The challenge is from that disconnect and beyond. First, if your not familiar with Peco, they have a crazy net meter setup. You cant simply pop out your meter and install a bidirectional. Instead, you have to have two meters, and IN meter and an OUT meter. And now on their website they even say you need a 3rd meter dedicated for the array. The application process is also very complicated. This is where I need to find an electrician who can navigate the complex meter setup/process with Peco and make all those connections.
The finding of that electrician has been tough, because grid-tie setups are tricky, most general electricians dont do it, instead you have electricians thats specialize in solar, but they dont want to work with a DIY homeowner, they want to do the whole project for $30k, most wont even return my emails.
So.... if anybody on this board is a Peco customer, and knows of or worked with an electrician that helped finish their grid-tie system, or if any electricians are reading this who are in my area (19444 ZIP), please let me know. I really want to get this project off the ground.
Thanks
John
Let me explain the issues I have run into and where I need help.
I am not a licensed electrician, but I am extremely handy when it comes to anything mechanical/electrical. I was an electrical engineering major in college, so I definitely know how to work around panels and wiring. I do almost all my own electrical work inside my home, BUT, I'm not a lineman, so clearly I dont work in the meter area or outside connections. PS - utility feed is underground, it comes up the side of my house and terminates in a meter box 3 ft off the ground
I want to install a 20x panel enphase system, grid-tie. Seems simple enough, roof rail rack systems, connect all the panels, wiring it down the side of the house to an outside disconnect, properly ground it. Thats the easy part, and I have estimated $12,000 or so in parts/materials through a reputable online vendor. All of this work I can do myself.
The challenge is from that disconnect and beyond. First, if your not familiar with Peco, they have a crazy net meter setup. You cant simply pop out your meter and install a bidirectional. Instead, you have to have two meters, and IN meter and an OUT meter. And now on their website they even say you need a 3rd meter dedicated for the array. The application process is also very complicated. This is where I need to find an electrician who can navigate the complex meter setup/process with Peco and make all those connections.
The finding of that electrician has been tough, because grid-tie setups are tricky, most general electricians dont do it, instead you have electricians thats specialize in solar, but they dont want to work with a DIY homeowner, they want to do the whole project for $30k, most wont even return my emails.
So.... if anybody on this board is a Peco customer, and knows of or worked with an electrician that helped finish their grid-tie system, or if any electricians are reading this who are in my area (19444 ZIP), please let me know. I really want to get this project off the ground.
Thanks
John
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