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quote:
Originally posted by pahoated
The other interesting development is portable off-grid solar. There have been hobbyists doing this for awhile but it's starting to hit the retail market. This is a typical one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/UPG-87530-Ecotricity-Emergency-Generator/dp/B004MII08K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1373563622&sr=8-8&keywords=portable+solar+generator
This is a very flexible use approach without any need for installers or installation.
...until the next revision of the NEC, which will require GFCI outlets anywhere electricity is used, even with a (temporary) generator on the construction jobsite.
Remember, regulatory compliance is far more important than your individual "need" for food, clothing, shelter, or electricity.
Posts: 14,116
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quote:
Originally posted by pahoated
[quote]Change the regular 120V to a GFCI outlet, takes about $10 and 15 minutes. If that actually becomes regulation, then retail systems will have that built in.
Granted, County moves slowly enough that it will be some years yet... however, the G in GFCI is for "ground", which will have to be installed to County's satisfaction...
The worse problem is: a GFCI burns a few watts, and that consumption is 24x7. (This is after you find a GFCI that tolerates inverter power -- and these are more than $10.)
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There's a vendor in Kona with a solar unit-
http://www.ready2gopower.com/
Also there's a new thin film hopeful to compete with Unisolar touting 13% efficiency and shadow performance but the rep offered me $2.75 per watt too expensive for me-
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/23/sola...r-modules/
Also so many out the box thinkers here- is there a way of mounting pv's without penetrating the corrugated roofing? What's the best waterproof adhesive placing 1 plastic roofing under the pv for insulation and aluminum barckets? Code violation no problem???
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Kalakoa,
You can install a gfci on an ungrounded circuit and it will work fine. Hence the little tag that comes with them that says "no equipment ground." The phantom load from a gfci is very small or set your inverter to search with a setting so that it will not find the gfci. The $10 ones work fine on solar. And finally, I think (but did not search for the reference) all power cords on a construction site must be gfci protected. Buy a cord with one installed. Bottom line, a gfci can save your life.
I worked on a site once where the cement mixer would trip the gfci. The general's solution? Bypass the the gfci and tell the crew not to touch the mixer so you would not get a shock.
jerry
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quote:
Originally posted by pahoated
Yeah, don't know what the fixation is with the GFCI. It doesn't have anything to do with the inverter output except interrupt power if something starts taking excessive current on the business end.
1. Under current Code, GFCI is only "required" where outlets are near a sink (kitchen, bathroom). Future revisions of the Code will require them throughout.
2. Most GFCI outlets do not enjoy the "modified" sinewave produced by most (read: inexpensive) inverters. You either need specialty GFCI or a pure-sine inverter.
It's a typical unfunded regulatory overreach in name of "safety".
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Back to this topic now that we are ready to install:
Who have you used? Feedback on them?
any particulars to watch out for with any of those companies.
This will be whole house solar - with a pool pump.
net metering or not?
-cat
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I just had Solarman put my PV system in - grid tie for now.
Absolutely best prices, great crew. Saved me over $12K from other bids.
Just waiting for Hell-co to change the meter.
He used the newest panels out there. I actually got 3 extra panels for future pool/pond use and still saved a boatload of money.
Highly recommend him!!!!
edited for typos
Live Aloha
