Kumukit Anyone?

[Sniper Steve]

A buddy of mine sent me a link about this company and I was wondering if anyone has used them or knew anything about them? Beside the info at their site. They are suppose to be the leader's of solar home kits on the islands. I'm thinking about getting a grid tied for my place with my diesel generator backup.

http://www.kumukit.com/

Any info would be great.
Thanks,
Steve

[ericlp]

Hmmm, Grid Tie, so why the need for a diesel generator?

Unless you have crappy power and it goes out all the time? Grid Tie just spins the meter backwards for credit.

But I don't know anything about them.

[Carey]

Why the backup: (this is from a discussion I had with another member just this week!)
Some gridtied systems have inverters have a safety (enphase is one) that must detect active 60 cycles to allow the system to operate.... If there is no power coming to the system, the system will not generate... So if the incoming power is down, the PV will not generate power....

There are installations that do allow a conversion, but usually are more costly - I do not know if the Kumukit system allows PV power generation when the power is out on the grid....

something to think about.... What back up do you have if there is a long power outage...

[Bullwinkle]

I am on the grid full time out here - yet have had need for back up very often it seems (better lately)
I would consider batteries and a inverter if I had an solar array

or quick and dirty a honda 2kw stored in the laundry room. The transfer switches pricey - so I use a power strip to plug in what I need 'till they get the power line back up - keeps the ice cream frozen

[Sniper Steve]

Hello ericlp,

Carey is correct in their post. The reason for the genset. Is if the power goes out in two ways. One, if it's night time and I'm tied to the grid, no sun and no power.

Two, and with some systems. If there is no power to the system from the street. They will not produce power from the panels. Carey is correct and I'm going to be metting up with a rep this May to look at some of the systems.

I do know I want a system that uses the Enphase Microinverter. The power is converted right at the panel.I can also track the output on my cpu and see what each panel is producing. Plus, it's AC power going into the house. Not DC like the others. So, much easier and less crap. Plus, I can replace a panel if need be and the whole system doesn't go down.

I'm going to be meeting with a Kumu rep in May. I'll be in town taking care of allot of business for my move. I'll post all the info I get from the rep. But, from what I've found out for info. These Enphase Microinverter are the way to go. AC power straight into the house from the panels and you can track info for each panel.

The Genset is a must for night time or if anything else happens. I'll be running a good size Aquaponic system and I can't afford to loose power at all. Bullwinkle, sounds like you know the deal. I always feel safe with a genset. Better to had one and not use it, then to need one and not have one. I can't afford to loose power to the system will be building. Better safe then sorry.
Take care,
Steve

[jerry]

Sniper Steve,

Give me a call when you get in town--982-8197.

I have installed several Enphase systems and have a SunnyBoy on my house--I would go with Enphase if I were to do it over. I also have an aquaponics system that I will be putting onto a stand alone solar system. While you would want a generator for emergency power, I don't think you need a lot--a Honda 2000 or 3000 would be plenty. The main thing is to keep the air pump running. When I switch over to solar I plan to put in timers and turn the pumps off at night and just run the air pump.



Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com

[KeaauRich]

We had the kumu rep come to our house to give us an estimate, but when he couldn't even figure out which way was south (even when we pointed out the existing solar hot water heater in the south facing roof) we kinda lost confidence...

[Sniper Steve]

Thanks Jerry, I'll give you a buzz for sure. I'll hit you up before I get into town, so we can line something up. Would love to pick your mind, but I think we are both on the same page. The Enphase is the way to go for sure. I've just got to figure out how big I want to go. Plus, I want to max out my write off's. I might start on a smaller scale for this year and see of I can use more write off's the following year. I've got to sit down and go over what I can write off for the system I want.

Love to hear more about your aquaponic system. I'm thinking of just running my system off the pole power at night. If the power was to go out. Then a auto transfer would kick in after 30 seconds and pick up the load to the system and house.


KeaauRich, this is what I was after. I wanted to hear some members that have either used them or had some contact with them. That's not good news, but thank you very much for your post. I'm going to talk to a rep and if I don't like the feel I get from them. I sure there are plenty other companies to choose from. I've already found four others.
Thanks again,
Steve