hi Wayne. I just read your post about wanting to try a limited power solar array with much interest. I think is is a brilliant idea. Here are a few initial thoughts which I also had to consider when planning my own backup power.
I built a parallel capable switching array into my last home. What I found to be vitally important in my installation was the need to automate the transfer of power sources for safety first and convenience second. My greatest initial expense went into the acquisition and permitted installation of an ASCO automatic transfer switch. My electrician and the electrical code insisted that this was necessary to protect the utility personnel who would have to work on whatever caused the grid to fail in the first place. While I understand the operation of these things, I not only hired a qualified electrician to hook it up, but I took out every permit necessary for the work so that the installation was legal, and equally importantly, that my insurance carrier would have no excuses should the unthinkable happen. Just a thought. There are manual means to transfer between utility and solar power but they are ponderous and inconvenient. They are also potentially hazardous if not executed with absolute diligence. I trust this gives you a little grist for the mill as you begin to explore your project’s feasibility further. Stand alone systems that do not parallel with the utility are much easier to deploy but they require redundant wiring and are difficult to make attractive (hidden from view so that She who makes the rules will approve.) I will watch this topic with interest since most participants just cannot take these things off of the forum. Cheers, Fred VE7FMN ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
