maple flats
11-26-2012, 06:59 PM
I started in solar in the summer of 2009, by buying a solar panel @ 150 watts on Ebay. We had talked of getting into solar for several years. The 1 panel became 2 a couple of weeks later, and we hit the ground running. We knew little about solar and bought a poor inverter and cheap charge controller. We did get a small but decent battery bank for starters in getting 4 quality 240 AH 6V batteries, made for solar. This was our system the first year. We learned plenty from our mistakes and were ready to expand the system. However we had learned that you can not hook different panels together AND that our first 2 were not UL. If we ever wanted to tie to the grid, all components needed to be UL.
In 2010 we ordered 4 @ 185 watt UL panels, a MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controller and and a quality inverter, all UL. Since batteries of different ages don't do well together, we also doubled our battery bank after just 6 weeks of use, so we then had 8 @ 240 AH and the ages were fairly close. This bank is still in use. It will be upgraded to about 850 AH at 48V when replacement is needed (in another 3-5 yrs?).
In 2011 we got 4 more of the same panels and connected them to our growing array, all other equipment was good for that size, so only the panels were needed.
In 2012 we decided to double our power and order 8 more panels, but we discovered that they had been discontinued, in favor of higher wattage panels. After some studying the situation, we decided to finish the whole project before any replacement panels chosen were also discontinued. Thus we decided to get 22 panels, same brand, but in 220 watts each and decided to go grid tied. For grid tied all systems must be installed by a "certified installer". We hired one and the waiting began. First we had to get power to the sugarhouse. This took far too long, awaiting their planning department, then their legal department, then their billing department. When we got a bill, a check was in the mail the very next day. Then we had to wait again.
The plan was to run a pole just into the woods, at 210' off the road, mount a transformer and I would run the secondary lines to the sugarhouse. I asked if I could run them while I waited but was told to await the setting of the pole. After 4 months total wait they set the pole and I ran the power secondary lines another 220', to a meter pole, main disconnect set outside the sugarhouse and then another 35' into the sugarhouse and a new entrance panel box. Then the waiting began again. The installer had to await approval of the project from our state program, NYSERDA before they could even order the materials and extra equipment needed. That approval came and the mounts, panels etc were ordered. As soon as the components arrived (so I was told) the installer started the job. All went well, until they went to hook up a new inverter for the expansion array. It seems the inverter had arrived with internal damage. A relay had broken loose inside and did considerable damage.
Today, a replacement inverter arrived, the contractor installed it and my solar system was turned on. I now have 6.32 KW of solar, 1480 watts original with battery backup and grid tied, and the 4840 watts additional, grid tied only.
I can't wait to go watch the meter run backwards!
Dave
In 2010 we ordered 4 @ 185 watt UL panels, a MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controller and and a quality inverter, all UL. Since batteries of different ages don't do well together, we also doubled our battery bank after just 6 weeks of use, so we then had 8 @ 240 AH and the ages were fairly close. This bank is still in use. It will be upgraded to about 850 AH at 48V when replacement is needed (in another 3-5 yrs?).
In 2011 we got 4 more of the same panels and connected them to our growing array, all other equipment was good for that size, so only the panels were needed.
In 2012 we decided to double our power and order 8 more panels, but we discovered that they had been discontinued, in favor of higher wattage panels. After some studying the situation, we decided to finish the whole project before any replacement panels chosen were also discontinued. Thus we decided to get 22 panels, same brand, but in 220 watts each and decided to go grid tied. For grid tied all systems must be installed by a "certified installer". We hired one and the waiting began. First we had to get power to the sugarhouse. This took far too long, awaiting their planning department, then their legal department, then their billing department. When we got a bill, a check was in the mail the very next day. Then we had to wait again.
The plan was to run a pole just into the woods, at 210' off the road, mount a transformer and I would run the secondary lines to the sugarhouse. I asked if I could run them while I waited but was told to await the setting of the pole. After 4 months total wait they set the pole and I ran the power secondary lines another 220', to a meter pole, main disconnect set outside the sugarhouse and then another 35' into the sugarhouse and a new entrance panel box. Then the waiting began again. The installer had to await approval of the project from our state program, NYSERDA before they could even order the materials and extra equipment needed. That approval came and the mounts, panels etc were ordered. As soon as the components arrived (so I was told) the installer started the job. All went well, until they went to hook up a new inverter for the expansion array. It seems the inverter had arrived with internal damage. A relay had broken loose inside and did considerable damage.
Today, a replacement inverter arrived, the contractor installed it and my solar system was turned on. I now have 6.32 KW of solar, 1480 watts original with battery backup and grid tied, and the 4840 watts additional, grid tied only.
I can't wait to go watch the meter run backwards!
Dave