Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Some of you might not believe what I am about to say but ask your solar installation guy: When you have a grid tie system, ie you use electrical power from the grid and also have a solar system where you can sell power back to the grid, when the grid goes down so does your solar system. You cannot operate your solar system independent of the grid because the equipment has failsafe systems installed to make sure you don't electrocute the power line workers. It is not as simple as throwing a switch. At least that is the law in Canada. I'm thinking it's the law in the U.S. as well. If you do have a system that you can either sent power to the grid or not with a throw of a switch it probably does not meet code. I'll put on my flame suit now.
SF
I believe it! I was reading that when the storms hit Florida residents with solar systems weren't allowed to make use of the solar energy because the grid was down. I get the reasoning, when they are working on the lines they don't want power being back-fed into the grid. Makes sense.
I will for sure make sure this is not the case, otherwise its a huge negative for me. Currently I have a setup on my circuit breaker that allows me to switch off grid power to run my generator. Its a must for me that I can do the same thing with the solar system. I realize when the powers down I wont be running much at night, but using it for my well pump or even to charge electronics is a must.
The alternative would be a "DIY" system, where I get the panels, ground rack for mounting, inverter, and batteries in a series. Looks like decent capacity systems like this would be $4,000-$10000. But that seems less than ideal.
Good points!
I was not aware, just did a search. During a power blackout your solar panels shut down on purpose, as I understand it, for two reasons.
Of course reason number 1 is to protect utility line workers and the danger of solar sending power though lines when a line is down.
Reason 2 is there is no place for the excess solar energy that your home does not use, to go if it just disconnected from the grid. Excess power would burn up components ect.
There is a switch that a German company makes that will allow you to throw a switch and supply power to its 1 electric outlet capable of 15 or 20 amps.
Option 3 is, not to be connected to the electric grid and this option doubles the cost (never mind the maintenance costs) using lead acid batteries.
I was never aware of this, I suspect most arent, good point, as far as us, we do not have panels but there are many here in South Carolina now and if I wanted them, my last concern would be power black outs, I think in 11 years since moving here the longest ever black out was 4 hours and except for that time dont think we ever had on longer then an hour.
Our modem and router has a UPS and I get all excited I can still use the internet when the lower goes out! But its always more like a few minutes and its back on ... *L*
One other thing that I know people do not think about, if your going to get them, you may want to have the roof replaced first if your roof is older, rather then get the panels only to find out they will have to be removed in a couple years to have a new roof put on, then the panels put back.