Friends:
Thank you all for on-line and off-line replies. There appears to be some confusion as to the term “Solar Ready.” In my understanding, this term applies to meter/main/combo panels that have special provisions to allow for increased back-feed amperage. This is usually done by providing means to easily incorporate “line-side” interconnection. As a reminder for those not familiar, line-side is a connection between the meter and the main disconnecting means. Usually it means a lug kit to easily connect prior to the main disconnecting means, or even an integral breaker space connected to the line side. The integral breaker obviates the need for a collocated OPCD. This is a very handy tool for your design kit and I suggest if you are not familiar with this option you might want to become so. Here is one link <http://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Reference=998-19598128_US&p_EnDocType=Brochure&p_File_Id=1267795961&p_File_Name=998-19598128_US_WEB.pdf> and another link <http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/Residential/GroupMeteringandMeterBreakers/SolarPowerCenters/index.htm> to information about these devices. Unfortunately the solar-ready equipment I have found are all wall-mount and I need a pedestal. Several people kindly sent links to garden variety pedestals that do not have this “solar-ready” capability. I am aware that one can down-size a main breaker, but I don’t believe it responsible to do so without numerical support for that move. In the jurisdiction regulating this project, the authorities wisely require a numerical analysis of the loads in the residence through the process outlined in the NEC. I have done this but it adds about two hours to the project as you need to inspect the residence, plug the numbers into a spreadsheet and create a presentation to insert into the building permit application. This is certainly an option, however. In certain cases one can find the room to tap onto the conductors between the meter socket and the main disconnect. We have done this either by bolting lugs to existing threaded holes in a bus set or by application of insulation piercing taps on cable conductors. One then needs to locate a properly sized fused disconnected immediately adjacent to the meter socket fed by properly sized conductors. I have applied the tap-rule and had plan-checkers allow this calculation methodology, although some have argued on this forum they are not related concepts. Lastly, just to cover every contingency, one can configure a service with a discrete socket, main breaker load center and a separate fused disconnect for the solar back-feed. This would look like much like an agricultural or industrial service from a previous era. I hope the above over-verbosity clears up any misconceptions. I appreciate all of the input. Sincerely, William Miller [image: Gradient Cap_mini] Lic 773985 millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600 *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *frenergy *Sent:* Thursday, January 25, 2018 8:36 AM *To:* [email protected] *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Looking for Solar Ready pedestal Dave, I would agree with you regarding the 175 amp main breaker leaving plenty of headroom for power to a residence. The only exception I'm aware of around these parts (No. Sierra) is the all electric house that also has a ground source heat pump with heat strips for back-up. If the GSHP can't keep up and the heat strips kick in, you're looking at about a third of that 175 amps going to just heating. We've also done the swap to 175 amp and its worked, so far, but... Bill Feather River Solar Electric Bill Battagin, Owner 4291 Nelson St. Taylorsville, CA 95983 530.284.7849 CA Lic 874049 www.frenergy.net On 1/25/2018 6:43 AM, Dave Tedeyan wrote: Hi William, It is unlikely that you will find a 200A panel with 60A of backfeed capacity. You can reduce the main breaker to 175A though and then any 200A panel would work. I have never seen any residence come any where close to drawing that much current that it would trip. We do it fairly often and have never had an issue. Then you get 65A of backfeed capacity. Cheers, Dave *--* *Dave Tedeyan* *Senior Engineer* *Taitem Engineering, PC* 10 Verizon Lane, Lansing, NY 14882 Voice: (607) 930-3481 x6 www.taitem.com On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 1:28 AM, William Miller <[email protected]> wrote: Friends: I am working on a residential 1 phase project with a Solar Edge 10,000. I need to source a 200 amp meter/main with a 60 amp solar input capability. This needs to be a free-standing pedestal. All I am finding is wall mount (surface or flush) units. Anyone know if a pedestal unit with these capabilities? Thanks in advance. William Miller [image: Gradient Cap_mini] Lic 773985 millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600 <%28805%29%20438-5600> _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- [image: https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif] <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=icon> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=link>
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