Electrical Panel & Solar - Center Fed and 100A?

[jsquared22]

I decided to upgrade to a solar ready 200 AMP Square-D Homeline panel purchased from Home Depot.

[Dan Z]

I have the exact box show in the original post. It is 125 A. What did you end up doing?

[Alisobob]

Thanks for the picture Alisobob. Did you require stucco work too? The install looks great.

stucco.JPG

Yea, but they did a great job floating in in over a large area. A little paint, and its invisible.

[jsquared22]

Thanks for the label picture Solarfrank. Any chance you could please provide a picture of the panel too?

[jsquared22]

http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...ters/index.htm


I got a Eaton with my install.... its specifically made, and labeled, for solar installs.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6653[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the picture Alisobob. Did you require stucco work too? The install looks great.

[foo1bar]

does most system request a 200A panel?

No - there are many installs that are done with an existing 100 or 125A panel.

However I'm happy I upgraded to a 200A panel.
Would have done that even if I wasn't doing solar.

[subchaos]

does most system request a 200A panel?

[solarfrank]

You have a Challenger , was very popular in the ’80s and ’90s. Challenger is no longer in business, Eaton/Cutler Hammer they do compatible breakers.
Some of the electrical panels from Challenger had some problems with overheating of the bus bar.
You a Challenger 100A main and 125 bus bar, please check the photo attached.

[jsquared22]

SC1624M125F might work better if not upgrading the service...
Or the M100F version maybe if that's still a 125A bus. (probably is - but would need to check)

You'll have some measuring to do and figuring out whether you want to spend a whole bunch more money on upgrading the service. (not too expensive if overhead, but can be a much much bigger project if underground service)

Since my current 20 year old panel lacks information for me to confirm if it's truly a 125A panel degraded to 100A, and the SDGE Renewable Meter Adapter is not yet available (and will cost $1,400), then I'm going to investigate a new panel install without upgrading the service. I'll update this thread with the results.

[Alisobob]

Does anyone have brand recommendations for the new panel brand, configuration, or lessons learned with the new install? Also, any idea if it will require stucco work?

http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/Residential/GroupMeteringandMeterBreakers/SolarPowerCenters/index.htm

I got a Eaton with my install.... its specifically made, and labeled, for solar installs.

solar f2.jpg

[foo1bar]

The bigger question is whether you're going to upgrade the service.

SC1624M125F might work better if not upgrading the service...
Or the M100F version maybe if that's still a 125A bus. (probably is - but would need to check)

You'll have some measuring to do and figuring out whether you want to spend a whole bunch more money on upgrading the service. (not too expensive if overhead, but can be a much much bigger project if underground service)

[foo1bar]

How about: Siemens Model # MC0816S1200SCT
200-Amp 8-Space 16-Circuit Surface Mount Meter Combo with 100-Amp Solar PV Input

$469 at Home Depot

That's a surface mount.
I think he'll want a "semi-flush" mount to replace existing semi-flush mount installation.

Probably something like

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-Homeline-200-Amp-20-Space-40-Circuit-Semi-Flush-Mount-Main-Breaker-CSED-SC2040M200F/204251469

Will require some stucco work - but if it's same width that won't be too bad IMO.


The bigger question is whether you're going to upgrade the service.
If you are, that's another whole thing that you would have to deal with.
If not, the main breaker on the SC2040M200F would need to be replaced with 100A breaker.

[solarix]

or: Siemens 200-Amp 40-Space 40-Circuit Surface Mount Meter Combo with 100-Amp Solar PV Input

Model # MC4040S1200SC $424.88

[jimqpublic]

How about: Siemens Model # MC0816S1200SCT
200-Amp 8-Space 16-Circuit Surface Mount Meter Combo with 100-Amp Solar PV Input

$469 at Home Depot

[solarix]

Some manufacturers have a panel style called "farm panel" that is actually designed and listed for doing line-side taps making large solar installs easy - they also have versions where the busbar is oversized (like a 225A rating for a 200A panel - a good thing for solar). Not saying you need this - just a factoid. Other than that, get a brand that is common in your area (probably Cutler/Hammer, SQ-D or Siemens) and has breakers including the smaller duplex (half-size) available. And get a style that will require the least amount of wire splicing to your existing circuits and has lots of spaces - room for expansion.