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  • wrenchman06
    Junior Member
    • Jan 2010
    • 1

    #1

    Connecting to grid

    The solar panels make dc electricity. The converter converts DC to AC. Is there a device needed to put the solar generated AC power into the grid power?
  • cindynsg
    Member
    • Jan 2010
    • 53

    #2
    There are many kinds of inverter. They are made to handle different sized loads. To tie into the grid yuo would need to get a "grid tie power inverter". Again, there are many kinds. grid tie power inverters are much more expensive than ordinary inverters, but shop around if youve got the funds. You me also have to get a new kilowatt meter outside you house. Most kilowatt meters installed by the electric service provider are what is called a greedy meter. They don't go backwards.
    Good luck!

    Comment

    • Mike90250
      Moderator
      • May 2009
      • 16020

      #3
      Also, you need to have your electrical permits and structural permits before the power company will finalize the agreement to let you connect your power station to the grid.
      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

      • bam bam
        Junior Member
        • Feb 2010
        • 32

        #4
        If you dont plan to sell back power to the power company do you stll need permission from them to connect your power station to the grid?


        when you connect your power station to the grid, do you connect your power station to your fuse panel in your home?

        Could I connect my power station to my fuse box which will power all my wall outlet, is this what is known as connecting to grid?

        Comment

        • Mike90250
          Moderator
          • May 2009
          • 16020

          #5
          Originally posted by bam bam
          If you dont plan to sell back power to the power company do you stll need permission from them to connect your power station to the grid?
          Yes, it's their grid

          when you connect your power station to the grid, do you connect your power station to your fuse panel in your home?
          Local codes have the final say, but yes, generally, you have to add 1 or 2 new breakers to your main panel.

          Could I connect my power station to my fuse box which will power all my wall outlet, is this what is known as connecting to grid?
          Connecting any panels, to any of your house wires, connects it to the grid, and you need to be compliant with all the local rules
          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

          • ant58
            Junior Member
            • Mar 2010
            • 14

            #6
            What about these grid tie inverters I see, in a range of voltages/watts?

            Assuming you have a smart meter,which I do, how's anyone going to know I'm feeding power back?

            I have 85 watt panels. How should they be wired to feed back?

            I have looked extensively for this answer.

            Comment

            • Sunking
              Solar Fanatic
              • Feb 2010
              • 23301

              #7
              It would be very foolish to try to connect to the grid without applying for the permits and having a contract with the local utility and a grid tied meter.
              • For one if you are caught, they disconnect your service, report you to the local jurisdiction, and will charge you a whole lot of fines and fees before they reconnect, plus they will watch you like a hawk.
              • If there was an outage, and you continued to generate power feeding into the grid and someones property was damaged or someone hurt or killed you are liable for all damages and criminal charges.
              • Lastly with out a grid tied meter, you are giving your power away. In fact the newer meters out now will not spin backwards when reverse fed, they spin forwards. So not only will you be giving the utility free power, you will also be charged for the power you generate.


              So go right ahead and do it and see what happens.
              MSEE, PE

              Comment

              • lile001
                Solar Fanatic
                • Feb 2010
                • 105

                #8
                Originally posted by ant58
                What about these grid tie inverters I see, in a range of voltages/watts?

                Assuming you have a smart meter,which I do, how's anyone going to know I'm feeding power back?

                I have 85 watt panels. How should they be wired to feed back?

                I have looked extensively for this answer.
                You must get a permit from your power company. They will configure your meter to measure their feed-in tarriff, if they have one. Probably require a new meter. Or in some states they can stop you from connecting to the grid at all!

                The grid tie inverter power needs to be matched with the power of your array. I hope you haven't invested much money in these panels, before you are sure you have permission to hook them into the grid?

                There are ways to use solar without grid-tie, but that's a lot more complicated. Look on your power company's website for a feed-in tarriff, a solar connection specification, or some such item. Also you can just call them up, and ask for someone in engineering and pick their brain ( the first person you talk to won't have any idea what you are talking about, most likely.)

                Keep asking questions - I get the sense you may need to learn a lot more before diving into this feet first!
                Lawrence Lile, PE

                Comment

                • ant58
                  Junior Member
                  • Mar 2010
                  • 14

                  #9
                  Originally posted by lile001
                  You must get a permit from your power company. They will configure your meter to measure their feed-in tarriff, if they have one. Probably require a new meter. Or in some states they can stop you from connecting to the grid at all!

                  The grid tie inverter power needs to be matched with the power of your array. I hope you haven't invested much money in these panels, before you are sure you have permission to hook them into the grid?

                  There are ways to use solar without grid-tie, but that's a lot more complicated. Look on your power company's website for a feed-in tarriff, a solar connection specification, or some such item. Also you can just call them up, and ask for someone in engineering and pick their brain ( the first person you talk to won't have any idea what you are talking about, most likely.)

                  Keep asking questions - I get the sense you may need to learn a lot more before diving into this feet first!
                  A lot, and I have dived no where yet!! Just a single 85W panel.

                  Waiting on the local util who is about to install FREE solar panels/systems on 100 homes in the area.

                  Comment

                  • Mike90250
                    Moderator
                    • May 2009
                    • 16020

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ant58
                    A lot, and I have dived no where yet!! Just a single 85W panel.

                    Waiting on the local util who is about to install FREE solar panels/systems on 100 homes in the area.

                    Can't beat FREE.
                    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

                    • ant58
                      Junior Member
                      • Mar 2010
                      • 14

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Mike90250
                      Can't beat FREE.
                      Free it is indeed. For those 100.

                      Comment

                      • russ
                        Solar Fanatic
                        • Jul 2009
                        • 10360

                        #12
                        Be interesting to learn the length of the wait - probably there are more than a hundred looking for it.
                        [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

                        Comment

                        • ant58
                          Junior Member
                          • Mar 2010
                          • 14

                          #13
                          Originally posted by russ
                          Be interesting to learn the length of the wait - probably there are more than a hundred looking for it.
                          This spring, Company targeted a small area and sent surveys to those interested. Most of the old folks around here in the older home won't want no part of it, free or otherwise.

                          Homes would need to qualify.

                          I Have a perfect exposure, Southern, and no trees just concrete, but I still have to be selected.

                          Comment

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