#1666 Starting an install tomorrow on a 12KW system completely off grid, back up generator. Should be fun.
Worked on Wind turbine and tracking array when I worked for a living but never did the install.
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Solar? You are doing the install yourself? Hiring 'pros' is time and stress saving but expensive. The equipment is expensive all by itself. When I finally could afford the inverter and it arrived, I noticed two additional pieces of equipment - a DC battery connection panel and an AC output connection panel ("required by code") - that would be an additional $700+. I know wiring codes well enough to know this smelled of a scam... skipped those add-ons _safely_!
I suspect a solar contractor would urge their inclusion; but until the wiring is complete it does build stress and concern.
My inverter allows integration of a generator. I may look into that later. You want to get these things correct; if you miscalculate and blow something up you could lose $1,000 or more.
***Worked on Wind turbine and tracking array when I worked for a living but never did the install***
You want to understand the details of the technology; as stated above, constant little problems arise, cost increases, equipment shortcomings, etc. To date I probably have around $7,000 invested - into a working system. With system design changes costs can mount quickly. Almost all my modifications were relatively minor, not expensive equipment changes. Also, I had a little advantage from a bit of left over supplies from my electrical contracting days. OTOH, right now basic supplies are in short supply due to these supply chain bottlenecks.
PM me if you have any questions or need a bit of encouragement. 😇