Quick update -- floated the idea of moving the inverters closer to the MSP with the installer and his feedback was generally positive but he did mention the following caveats:
He suggested we could do the following:
- DC combiner & disconnect switches at the array
- Inverters mounted in basement, relatively close to MSP
- New 200a subpanel at inverters location
- AC run back to meter main 200 amp line side connection fused AC disconnect
Also in the process of reaching out to PG&E to ask about the line voltage conditions and make them aware of my new setup. Thank you everyone.
- It will not be so easy to upgrade and add more capacity in the future in terms of inverters and panels as that will require more wire runs.
- The DC circuits of the 10 panel strings have good voltage on them but the circuits with 5 panels may be a little low.
- I will no longer have AC power out by the arrays. (Currently AC power at the arrays is used to power the wi-fi antenna that allows me to connect to my inverters, but if I am moving the inverters closer, that should be a moot point). Any other reason I would want to have AC power at the arrays that I'm missing?
- It will be more expensive than running the CU cable for the AC leg the long distance as I will need DC combiner boxes, a lot more wiring (he suggested #6 AWG), and also according to him I will need DC disconnect switches at the arrays to be in compliance with NEC. He said currently having the inverters at the arrays is compliant already since the inverters have DC and AC disconnecting means to them already but moving the inverters away from the arrays will require DC disconnect switches.
He suggested we could do the following:
- DC combiner & disconnect switches at the array
- Inverters mounted in basement, relatively close to MSP
- New 200a subpanel at inverters location
- AC run back to meter main 200 amp line side connection fused AC disconnect
Also in the process of reaching out to PG&E to ask about the line voltage conditions and make them aware of my new setup. Thank you everyone.
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