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  • charge controller with a grid-tie inverter

    Hello, I am 19 year old college student. During this summer, I have been researching solar energy, but I have a lot to learn still. I just built a 36 cell solar panel, using 3x6 .5 volt, 3.6 amp cells. I am planning on building additional panels. I am looking into using a grid-tie inverters. Would I need to wire my solar panel up to a charge controller before wiring into a grid-tie inverter? And could I wire multiple solar panels together in series and then into one grid-tie inverter? And, what is the difference between a standard grid-tie inverter and a "power jack" grid-tie inverter?

    Thank you for any advice!

  • #2
    Hello, I am 19 year old college student. During this summer, I have been researching solar energy, but I have a lot to learn still. I just built a 36 cell solar panel, using 3x6 .5 volt, 3.6 amp cells. I am planning on building additional panels.
    Cool, that can be a lot of fun

    I am looking into using a grid-tie inverters. Would I need to wire my solar panel up to a charge controller before wiring into a grid-tie inverter? And could I wire multiple solar panels together in series and then into one grid-tie inverter?
    Generally, you need to have a permitted installation (Building structure and electrical permits) and then the electric company will consider allowing you to feed into their grid
    Non-UL listed panels (anything homemade) would not be permitted. Part of the UL process is verifying the panels can withstand 600 - 1,000 Volts in case of a fault somewhere.

    And, what is the difference between a standard grid-tie inverter and a "power jack" grid-tie inverter?
    One is legal and permitted, the power-jack is not.

    Pure Grid Tie uses a high voltage string of panels to feed 500VDC into the inverter for conversion to AC for the grid.

    un-permitted and non-UL certified gadgets attached to your house generally will void your fire insurance. Even table lamps you buy at the store are UL listed.

    Homemade panels are good for running a pump in a fishpond, or lights in a garden shed.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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    • #3
      Thank you very much for your input. I was not aware that home made solar panels and power jack inverters were illegal for plugging into the grid.

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      • #4
        Bummer isn't it.
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment

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