View Full Version : Can Solar powered Inverters also be connected directly to home fuse box?
neugerig
Jul 31, 2009, 10:16 AM
I have been reading a lot about Solar Powered energy, Inverters and Batteries. I intend switching over to this form of electricity as an alternative to Motor Generator Electricity.
Can someone tell me if it is also possible to connect my solar powered invereter directly to my home's fuse box? How can I make this comnnection without using Batteries, and when often the power supply from the State fails.
Thanks
neugerig
Stratmando
Jul 31, 2009, 10:39 AM
Depends on how many panels and batteries, and the size of the Inverter, If large enough, you can make your Electric Meter spin backwards, saving you money, or Use Electric when power is out.
KISS
Jul 31, 2009, 10:55 AM
With what your proposing, there are too many issues. A pasing cloud can make your solar power drop to nearly zero and this would not be good. You have to use batteries.
There are controllers that will balance the generator and solar to charge the batteries. A prioritized charge contoller of sorts. You can have wind, solr and generator and have the contoller use whatever source it can with generator starting being a last resort option.
Solar inverters without batters have to be grid tie. The probem with this is that they cease generating electricity when the utility power fails,
I don't know the logistics, but you MAY (never herd of it done) use a grid tie inverter, and a transfer switch that disconnects the utility. Must be rated as such.
Your equipment would have to generate a low current sine wave on a say 200 A secondary transfomer where the grid tie inverter would be attached. Your power signal would then be latched onto and tracked. The grid tie system would be providing current. It would have to be diode or capacitor isolated, so that current could not pass to your signal generating system. Might be tough, but not impossible. Just don't know of sometihng on the market that could work.
bearcatk
Jul 31, 2009, 03:13 PM
Your saying that you want to disconnect the mains power and replace it with sola and battreys to power your house you can do that but you will have to tell the your power pivader to cut the mains power
KISS
Jul 31, 2009, 03:54 PM
In a way yes. There is a specialized piece of equipment called a "transfer switch" which is a definite purpose relay. This particular device/relay has mechanical safeguards which prevent both sides to ever be engaged at the same time.
If you are backfeeding a utility at 240V and going through a transformer say 10 Killovolts, this places an immediate danger to lineman working on the power lines.
Grid-tie inverters, non-battery system, will sense that the utility is not providing power, so the inverter won't either.
pelle
Aug 1, 2009, 12:51 PM
Contact your utility the step up in my area is usually 2 meters 1 credit and 1 debit. This allows you stay on the grid (constant power) and sell back what is being generated.