07-30-2017, 05:40 AM
Only a licensed electrician can perform permitted work. Otherwise, you're better off doing it yourself, easier to maintain the system if you fully understand how it works.
Gexpro has the best prices period (but they don't do installation). Online vendors have higher prices and expensive shipping (and still don't do installation).
Last I checked, all the "interesting" lithium technologies are only available through an installer, and there are few (if any) options for off-grid. For example, Tesla Powerwall runs at 350VDC, will probably work with a Morningstar HV controller, but now it's all custom ordered parts and expensive shipping.
Lithium ion phosphate: expensive, very low density; the footprint is easily 10x the size of other technologies, and has to be installed with a forklift.
Nickel-iron: yes, an Outback controller will drive these (with custom settings), but the batteries themselves are expensive, custom order, wait for shipping.
Outback NC batteries are available today, and work with any charge controller that can be configured for a gel charge curve.
After buying my system, I was criticized for not "shopping local". Funny thing, I went to the "local" stores first; they all had weird excuses for not being able to sell me what I wanted, said they would call back with a price, etc. Gexpro said "We have everything you need to finish the job. Where can we email your quote?"
(That said, BiG does have the best battery cables, made to order while you wait.)
Gexpro has the best prices period (but they don't do installation). Online vendors have higher prices and expensive shipping (and still don't do installation).
Last I checked, all the "interesting" lithium technologies are only available through an installer, and there are few (if any) options for off-grid. For example, Tesla Powerwall runs at 350VDC, will probably work with a Morningstar HV controller, but now it's all custom ordered parts and expensive shipping.
Lithium ion phosphate: expensive, very low density; the footprint is easily 10x the size of other technologies, and has to be installed with a forklift.
Nickel-iron: yes, an Outback controller will drive these (with custom settings), but the batteries themselves are expensive, custom order, wait for shipping.
Outback NC batteries are available today, and work with any charge controller that can be configured for a gel charge curve.
After buying my system, I was criticized for not "shopping local". Funny thing, I went to the "local" stores first; they all had weird excuses for not being able to sell me what I wanted, said they would call back with a price, etc. Gexpro said "We have everything you need to finish the job. Where can we email your quote?"
(That said, BiG does have the best battery cables, made to order while you wait.)