Solar question

[clemsonfor]

I am meeting with a solar salesman Friday to discuss a solar attic vent. I am also thinking about using solar on my well shed, which is on a secondary power line, as a backup (or as primary power). The well pump is 220 V.
What questions should I ask and what problems should I avoid.

Norm

The solar vents are just a fan that installs on your roof or you can get a gable one. But it has a built in fan on the roof version. Cut a hole and install it! No big deal, I think they can be had for around $100. AN easy install, if your paying a roofer to do it id imagine you can be out the door for $300?

Well house, thats different thats gonna take some juice batteries and pannels!

 

[AndyMA]

Which is perfectly reasonable and RESPONSIBLE. :laughing:

But one of the benefits of having a PV system would be to have at least SOME power if the grid goes down. There has to be a way to disconnect from the grid to allow the use of the PV system. I never see that mentioned when I read these articles.

We have a simple manual switch in the power panels. We can be on grid or we can be powered by the generator. Simple, cheap and effective. :thumbsup:

I would hope there is a way to work around the safety issue of PV power during a grid outage. Preferably a cheap solution. But I bet cheap ain't part of the solution. :laughing:



Since our OP is talking with the vendor today, said OP should ask since this seems to be one reason for his PV system.

Later,
Dan

As I said in my previous post Grid Tied systems set both there frequency and voltage by the inverter locking it to the grid it is tied to.

Most of the inverters that I am familiar with (and I have designed some) will not run unless there is a voltage on the grid.

If you want a systems that can run bot on and off grid, you will need to have it designed that way and probably have storage batteries.

Andy