05-25-2009, 04:15 PM
StillHope
Solarman did my big system and it works quite well. On my recommendation, he's also added panels, batteries, or otherwise "fixed" systems of people I know - systems originally designed/installed by others. His guys, Mike and Doug are pretty good. You can use my name if you choose.
A couple of thoughts...
What do YOU want to accomplish having a PV system? Different systems have different strengths/weaknesses. If not concerned with outages, then pure grid-tie may the way. If having a system that works when you need power is more important than trading "watts 4 $$" with Helco, than a battery system. Or maybe you want the best of both worlds - then a grid tie/battery hybrid.
When do you use most of your electrical power? Daylight? Nightime? If not home during the day and only the fridge running, then any power made must be stored for when you do use it. Either battery or Helco. Many of us that live off grid, live a bit different lifestyle - run dishwasher/washing machine only when sun is shining, charge cellphones etc during daytime, discourage use of things like hair dyers.
Concerning the system -
If everything else you do is permitted, then best to permit the solar also.
My electrician ran my pump circuit and plumber hooked up the pump (part of plumbing inspection) so not sure why this is noted unless you are going solar powered pump, but not apparent from system description.
System design -(be flexible and communicate this to Solarman to build a flexible system)
4 PV may well be enough for you or not, depending on many things. BUT... if not you can add more panels most anytime provided you can easily extend your racking and the combiner box has room. If going grid tie, you definitely don't want too many panels to over produce just to give away to Helco. Personally, I'm doubtful we'll see the day when Helco treats a home producer favorably.
Batteries - you can choose to go grid-tie and have the option to add a bank of batteries later if you want outage coverage. As noted elsewhere, generally not recommended to add more batteries to an existing bank. If you do have a battery bank, you must have sufficient PV output to properly charge or have a backup source, ie generator or Helco.
Inverters - The Outback 3048 is a good inverter (I have 4 of them). It is primarily for a battery system but can be grid tied. Please be aware that should you get a "Grid Tie Inverter", you cannot later add a battery bank. Hope that isn't too confusing.
All the misc stuff, cables etc, is easy to adjust, at minimal costs if you choose to build in the flexibility, but can become expense if done as a "rip out and replace".
Do your research regarding all things Helco. What are mininum charges? May or may not be the same if they know you have solar. I'm not on Helco so no personal knowledge, but a neighbor that Solarman added a PV/Battery system (but not net meter) had Helco send out a troubleshooter whern his charges fell to $6/month - then they upped his minimum to $25/month. There was a discussion on the otherside forum last year about Helco changing out the meters on grid tie resulting in higher charges.
Hope this helps a little.
David
Ninole Resident
Solarman did my big system and it works quite well. On my recommendation, he's also added panels, batteries, or otherwise "fixed" systems of people I know - systems originally designed/installed by others. His guys, Mike and Doug are pretty good. You can use my name if you choose.
A couple of thoughts...
What do YOU want to accomplish having a PV system? Different systems have different strengths/weaknesses. If not concerned with outages, then pure grid-tie may the way. If having a system that works when you need power is more important than trading "watts 4 $$" with Helco, than a battery system. Or maybe you want the best of both worlds - then a grid tie/battery hybrid.
When do you use most of your electrical power? Daylight? Nightime? If not home during the day and only the fridge running, then any power made must be stored for when you do use it. Either battery or Helco. Many of us that live off grid, live a bit different lifestyle - run dishwasher/washing machine only when sun is shining, charge cellphones etc during daytime, discourage use of things like hair dyers.
Concerning the system -
If everything else you do is permitted, then best to permit the solar also.
My electrician ran my pump circuit and plumber hooked up the pump (part of plumbing inspection) so not sure why this is noted unless you are going solar powered pump, but not apparent from system description.
System design -(be flexible and communicate this to Solarman to build a flexible system)
4 PV may well be enough for you or not, depending on many things. BUT... if not you can add more panels most anytime provided you can easily extend your racking and the combiner box has room. If going grid tie, you definitely don't want too many panels to over produce just to give away to Helco. Personally, I'm doubtful we'll see the day when Helco treats a home producer favorably.
Batteries - you can choose to go grid-tie and have the option to add a bank of batteries later if you want outage coverage. As noted elsewhere, generally not recommended to add more batteries to an existing bank. If you do have a battery bank, you must have sufficient PV output to properly charge or have a backup source, ie generator or Helco.
Inverters - The Outback 3048 is a good inverter (I have 4 of them). It is primarily for a battery system but can be grid tied. Please be aware that should you get a "Grid Tie Inverter", you cannot later add a battery bank. Hope that isn't too confusing.
All the misc stuff, cables etc, is easy to adjust, at minimal costs if you choose to build in the flexibility, but can become expense if done as a "rip out and replace".
Do your research regarding all things Helco. What are mininum charges? May or may not be the same if they know you have solar. I'm not on Helco so no personal knowledge, but a neighbor that Solarman added a PV/Battery system (but not net meter) had Helco send out a troubleshooter whern his charges fell to $6/month - then they upped his minimum to $25/month. There was a discussion on the otherside forum last year about Helco changing out the meters on grid tie resulting in higher charges.
Hope this helps a little.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident