- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Solar panel vs generator back feeding power systems.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 10:57 am
Posted on 7/30/23 at 10:57 am
Ok so every single year around this time, we see warnings telling us not to back feed generators to the power supply. Even though simply Flipping the main makes this practice safe.
I recently after getting a new roof decided to get a 5kw solar system.
I noticed the system feeds into the main through a two pole 100 amp breaker. The EXACT same way the generator is set up. Yet with the solar panels the main is on (my generator breaker has a tab on it so it can't be on same time as the main)
Is this dangerous to lineman? Say if we all lost power should people with solar panels flip the main off?
While the panels have an inverter and a built in overload.
I've never heard this brought up before.
But 240v at 5kw is the same from an engine or photovoltaic, right?
So I'm just curious why it's never mentioned. Only backfeeding generators.
I recently after getting a new roof decided to get a 5kw solar system.
I noticed the system feeds into the main through a two pole 100 amp breaker. The EXACT same way the generator is set up. Yet with the solar panels the main is on (my generator breaker has a tab on it so it can't be on same time as the main)
Is this dangerous to lineman? Say if we all lost power should people with solar panels flip the main off?
While the panels have an inverter and a built in overload.
I've never heard this brought up before.
But 240v at 5kw is the same from an engine or photovoltaic, right?
So I'm just curious why it's never mentioned. Only backfeeding generators.
7
Posted on 7/30/23 at 11:02 am to Napoleon
physically impossible for green energy to back feed
Posted on 7/30/23 at 11:17 am to Trevaylin
quote:Say again.
physically impossible for green energy to back feed
I think this is incorrect. People get $s off their bill for backfeeding solar power.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 11:22 am to Trevaylin
quote:because its magical energy?
physically impossible for green energy to back feed
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:32 pm to Redbone
quote:
People get $s off their bill for backfeeding solar power
IF the power company wants to buy it back. They are under no obligation to buy back power.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:34 pm to Redbone
quote:
People get $s off their bill for backfeeding solar power.
In this bitch
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:36 pm to Trevaylin
quote:
physically impossible for green energy to back feed
Lulz ... say wut?
You are so wrong.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:40 pm to Napoleon
Solar inverters are designed to power down when they lose a grid signal unless there is a storage system and ATS.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:40 pm to Redbone
quote:
People get $s off their bill for backfeeding solar power.
Taylor electric pays me every month.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:57 pm to Napoleon
quote:
So I'm just curious why it's never mentioned. Only backfeeding generators.
It all depends upon how it's hooked up. There are literally tonnes of videos on YouTube that addresses this and answers all of your questions.
I've got 40KW of ground mounted solar with a substantial bank of batteries and two big AIMS inverters PLUS I've got 2 Generac Guardians (26kw) just for our AC units and the deep water wells. There were so many safeguard switches installed by the electricians and inspected by the county and power company ... I lost count of the hoops I had to jump through.
We do sell leftover (overflow from the panels once the battery banks are charged each day) back to the CoOp. During the summer it can be substantial savings ... we get a lot of sun here in SC, sometimes too much and I lose some efficiency on really hot days.
Our poultry houses are another story. The power companies are incredibly difficult when it comes to installing backup power in the poultry houses knowing those gennies are going to kick-in automatically in the event of an outtage. Fans, heaters, feeder and waterers have to run or things can take a bad turn in no time ... especially in this heat.
Back feeding is a real danger. One of my neighbors down the rode is a lineman for the power company and he has shared some horror stories with me over the years. He's lost friends to back feeding.
Matter of fact, here in SC, if your power causes a backfeeding death or injury you can be brought-up on manslaughter charges through negligence. We don't really have issues with grid overloads because we have a lot of nuclear in this state but we do have hurricanes, tornados, heavy lightening strikes with strong winds and, every once in a blue moon freak ice storms. Pine trees are usually the culprits. A lot of people have back up power. Generacs are made right down the road from here in Pitchfork Ben Tillman's home town.
Check out the YouTube videos Napoleon. There are tonnes of them, pardon the pun.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 1:03 pm to Napoleon
quote:
So I'm just curious why it's never mentioned. Only backfeeding generators.
Solar panel inverters need utility power to turn on. If utility power is off, the inverter is off, so the solar panels produce no power. So, in this hook up, they are not backfeeding. If you have energy storage, then yes, it can backfeed onto the line, in which you should have a disconnect between your stuff and the utility so it can be turned off as to not backfeed.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 5:50 pm to billjamin
Ok. Thanks for a real answer.
Like how my solar panels on my boat cut off automatically if disconnected from the battery.
I didn't think of that.
Like how my solar panels on my boat cut off automatically if disconnected from the battery.
I didn't think of that.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 7:54 pm to rltiger
The only problem is most companies or co-ops sell to you at retail and credit you at wholesale prices. For a second home with minimal use, it's a wash at best factoring in the tax credits.
Also, be aware of service. In cenla, and western NC, there are few techs to fix things. My last episode was 16 months trying different parts and now I have a solar array on my roof that does nothing because it's at the end of it's useful life.
Also, be aware of service. In cenla, and western NC, there are few techs to fix things. My last episode was 16 months trying different parts and now I have a solar array on my roof that does nothing because it's at the end of it's useful life.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:26 pm to Ben Dare
quote:
end of it's useful life
I’m not sure what this means. Is it broken?
What equipment do you have?
This post was edited on 7/30/23 at 8:26 pm
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:29 pm to Napoleon
Mrs. Cotten and I traveled full time from Nov 2018 to Feb 2023 in a 31’ RV then in a Transit 3500 HR/EL….
We had huge solar arrays and Lifepo4 setups on each. 2100w on the class c and ~1600w with 900ah on our van. We both work in IT remotely and could live fairly infinitely on solar…unless our panels were covered in snow or it was downpouring for days on end. We kept a small inverter generator with us for a reason. It sucks arse taking a cold shower if you don’t have enough battery left to kick on the water heater…
Solar if you’re really looking to go fully off grid and Generator if you’re looking for emergency usage imo. But I’d recommend a small backup generator for solar too.
We had huge solar arrays and Lifepo4 setups on each. 2100w on the class c and ~1600w with 900ah on our van. We both work in IT remotely and could live fairly infinitely on solar…unless our panels were covered in snow or it was downpouring for days on end. We kept a small inverter generator with us for a reason. It sucks arse taking a cold shower if you don’t have enough battery left to kick on the water heater…
Solar if you’re really looking to go fully off grid and Generator if you’re looking for emergency usage imo. But I’d recommend a small backup generator for solar too.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:32 pm to Napoleon
quote:
Ok. Thanks for a real answer.
No problem. It’s an NEC requirement. The only exceptions are a few black start capable units and storage specific units like the SolarEdge StorEdge. The vast majority of even off-grid capable systems use standard inverters and the storage unit mimics a grid signal to turn it on and a frequency shift to control curtailment.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:41 pm to Napoleon
quote:
While the panels have an inverter and a built in overload.
If it’s installed correctly, the inverters will be off if they sense your utility power offline.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:44 pm to Trevaylin
I laughed. Ignore the OT, half these motherfrickers can't spot a joke if it pinched their wife's titty.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 6:35 am to Napoleon
You would have to buy a back up battery to be able to use your solar system in the event you lose power. It wastes a lot of power to keep the battery charged for no benefit.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 12:37 pm to Burkeelle
quote:
solar panel installers IRELAND,
I would venture to say that this does 99% of us OT baws absolutely no good.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News