Posted on 02/27/2023 5:32:09 AM PST by MtnClimber
Thanks for the tips.
“I advise you make the decision now to buy an inverter with that option so that you’re not stuck later either putting power onto the grid or using a transfer switch.”
I wasn’t aware of inverters with that option. I’m going with micro-inverters - do they come with that option? and are they a lot more expensive?
Sounds like with batteries you HAVE to go with those. So does that mean that if in the future I decide to add a battery, I would have to change all the inverters?
Typically microinverters have fewer options than string inverters. I bet you can’t find a microinverter with a built in charge controller (for if you later add batteries) or the zero output option (for if you later decide to not put power onto the grid). And you certainly won’t find one with the smart load feature that my Sol-ark string inverter has.
The solar companies keep recommending micro inverters so that if one goes out you don’t lose the whole system. How has your string inverter worked out. And how big a deal is to replace it if it goes out and how much is a replacement?
The string inverters are built into the inverter box and are accessible through the front panel. Each of my inverter boxes technically has two string inverters each, with each inverter having a Y-connector that make it act like two inverters. So my two inverter boxes together act like 8 string inverters. No getting up on the roof required if the inverter is what has to be replaced, assuming of course that the portion of the string that has to be replaced is the main portion of the string (that's inside the inverter box) and not the portion that's nothing but a long cable connecting the panels. So far I haven't had to replace one anyway (since May of 2021 for first inverter box, and August 2022 for second inverter box).
A downside to string inverters is they act like Christmas tree lights. If one of my 64 solar panels malfunctions completely, then I get 0kW from the entire string of 8 solar panels on that one string (but the other 7 strings still produce nicely). Basically I'd lose 1/8th of my solar production if one panel malfunctions. Same for if one panel degrades in production, either because it's dirty or damaged or in the shade. Each of my 8 strings produce at most eight times the weakest panel on that string. (I have 8 panels per string, and on a string inverter each panels produces at most the equivalent of the weakest panel on the string.) Another downside is the string inverter boxes often have 10-year warranties compared to 25-year warranties of microinverters. But string inverter boxes tend to be cheaper anyway.
A good side of string inverters is when there's low production from solar, you know which area is the problem. Instead of having to troubleshoot all 64 of my solar panels I'd know which string the solar panel is on that has the problem. Plus, the selection of which solar panels are connected to each string can be done to account for common strengths and weaknesses. For example, in the early morning there's s small corner of my roof with shade. Thus the panels in that area are on the same string (so that only one string is limited by shade, leaving the other 7 strings able to thrive). Likewise with solar panels placed in a way that's easiest to clean. I haven't had to clean mine yet, but I know that day is coming soon given where I put 24 of the new panels last August. Those panels are on a relatively flat sloped portion of the roof, thus dust and pollen will collect on them more than the ones mounted at a steep pitch. Those 24 panels make up 3 strings' worth of panels. So if I'm lazy or can't get to cleaning them for a while, their degraded production doesn't interfere with the other 5 strings of panels that don't need cleaning.
I hear some of the newer microinverters communicate independently to a central box. Maybe with those in a troubleshooting situation you'd already know which panel is down.
It’s about controlling/curbing our freedom. This has NOTHING to do with “climate”.
Americans figured this out 100 years ago. ICE won, EVs lost.
Ken, go away.
EV Lobbyist troll. Go away.
I totally agree.
central_va's response to me: "EV Lobbyist troll. Go away."
Evidently some people would rather argue back against Dims instead of forcing the Dims to change the argument so we all have more freedom to buy what we want.
EV's are being used to curb our freedom. Every EV sold is threat to freedom.
And since we live in the south we're in a good situation for home solar. Our home is literally 80% energy independent. If you hate government control over our lives then you ought to appreciate American families making themselves as energy independent as possible so that energy policies are one less way the government can control us. The EV is an extension of that energy independence from our home into our transportation (at least for local driving).
Energy was great under Trump and look at all the fraud the Dims did to kick him out. Do you think the Dims are going to let us have fair elections any time soon so we can have cheap dependable energy again? Isn't it past time for us freedom loving Americans to implement more ways to be independent from things government over regulates? Next you'll say my wife and I should boycott planting our own food.
Boycott EV’s or the sh!t will get out of hand. They will ban fossil fuels if we don’t stand up. F EVs and F any statist stooge driving one. Ken and Karen EV can all kiss my V8 driving backside.
This is why diesel electric motors power all ocean going vessels and locomotives.
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