Re: [RE-wrenches] small wind generators
Interesting thread! We are having some success with a Kestrel turbine here on Scoraig I second the idea that Ampair offer a modest but very robust range of products for high wind sites. cheers Hugh Piggott On 3 Apr 2012, at 20:36, Richard L Ratico wrote: Does anyone have any experience with Kestrel Wind Turbines? Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric --- You wrote: SWWP has changed their turbines again. They are now called the the Air 30, Air 40 and Air Breeze. The 30 is like the old X land, the 40 is like the old Breeze Land and the Breeze is like the old Breeze Marine. The Breeze is the only marine model available. Confusing enough? The 40 and Breeze have a limited lifetime warranty and all have a new, higher price. Historically the Air products have lasted fairly well and been moderate performers. Air X and Air Breeze parts are still available but SWWP has discontinued support for all other models. We service, sell and recommend them for small PV/wind hybrid systems. AND...they are still USA made! Hurrah! Larry Crutcher Starlight Solar Power Systems (928) 342-9103 On Apr 3, 2012, at 7:04 AM, Roy Butler wrote: Hi Drake, The Air 403/ Air-X/ Air Breeze/ whatever it's name is now, is fairly dependable. In most wind regimes it's the equivalent of a 10 or 20 watt solar module but seems to work just fine. FYI- it's ~ 200 watts or so. It's not the quietest thing though, being a fairly high rpm turbine. But the Sunforce 600 is not a 600. The rotor diameter tells the truth, making it somewhere around a 200 - 250 watt machine. Perhaps they have the bugs worked out but when they first came out, there were many reliability and performance issues. What's the application for this? Roy Butler --- end of quote --- ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
[RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
Wrenches: There's probably an obvious answer but please help me think this through. Here's the situation--comes up all the time: The PV array and grid-tied inverter will be located on a detached building (garage or pole barn, etc.). The existing power to the building is a 240V 60A subpanel connected to the main panelboard at the house or main building via buried cable. If we obey buss bar loading and wire sizing, etc, is there any reason why we can't or shouldn't install the small grid tied PV system and tie it into the garage subpanel instead of trenching new lines back to the house and hit the main panel there? One hitch I see is that if we want a PV system AC disconnect near the main meter, the whole garage would end up on that. Have I overlooked an NEC or inverter requirement? Thanks for your comments. Charlie Pickard Aladdin Solar __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
1 - What is the AC output rating of the PV inverter? 2 - What is the size of the feeder conductors? 3 - Does the sub panel at the garage have a main breaker of it's own? 4 - Does your AHJ or utility require anAC disconnect or not? Mark Frye Berkeley Solar Electric Systems On 4/11/2012 7:09 AM, Aladdin Solar wrote: Wrenches: There's probably an obvious answer but please help me think this through. Here's the situation--comes up all the time: The PV array and grid-tied inverter will be located on a detached building (garage or pole barn, etc.). The existing power to the building is a 240V 60A subpanel connected to the main panelboard at the house or main building via buried cable. If we obey buss bar loading and wire sizing, etc, is there any reason why we can't or shouldn't install the small grid tied PV system and tie it into the garage subpanel instead of trenching new lines back to the house and hit the main panel there? One hitch I see is that if we want a PV system AC disconnect near the main meter, the whole garage would end up on that. Have I overlooked an NEC or inverter requirement? Thanks for your comments. Charlie Pickard Aladdin Solar __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
Well the size of the subpanel sounds like a limiting factor, unless you find someway around that via a bus/breaker size difference or upgrading to something larger. And the AHJ/utility may want the PV disconnect by the main as you mentioned. However, 705.12(7) allows connecting to panelboards connected in series; and additional labeling requirements in 690.54 and 690.56(B) would apply if the PV system disconnecting means is not located with the service disconnecting means. On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 10:09 AM, Aladdin Solar cpick...@aladdinsolar.comwrote: ** Wrenches: There's probably an obvious answer but please help me think this through. Here's the situation--comes up all the time: The PV array and grid-tied inverter will be located on a detached building (garage or pole barn, etc.). The existing power to the building is a 240V 60A subpanel connected to the main panelboard at the house or main building via buried cable. If we obey buss bar loading and wire sizing, etc, is there any reason why we can't or shouldn't install the small grid tied PV system and tie it into the garage subpanel instead of trenching new lines back to the house and hit the main panel there? One hitch I see is that if we want a PV system AC disconnect near the main meter, the whole garage would end up on that. Have I overlooked an NEC or inverter requirement? Thanks for your comments. Charlie Pickard Aladdin Solar __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Brian Mehalic NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ R031508-59 IREC ISPQ Certified Affiliated Instructor/PV US-0132 PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor Solar Energy International Carbondale, CO 81623 http://www.solarenergy.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
Also, Was a ground conductor run with the feeder? Mark Frye On 4/11/2012 7:09 AM, Aladdin Solar wrote: Wrenches: There's probably an obvious answer but please help me think this through. Here's the situation--comes up all the time: The PV array and grid-tied inverter will be located on a detached building (garage or pole barn, etc.). The existing power to the building is a 240V 60A subpanel connected to the main panelboard at the house or main building via buried cable. If we obey buss bar loading and wire sizing, etc, is there any reason why we can't or shouldn't install the small grid tied PV system and tie it into the garage subpanel instead of trenching new lines back to the house and hit the main panel there? One hitch I see is that if we want a PV system AC disconnect near the main meter, the whole garage would end up on that. Have I overlooked an NEC or inverter requirement? Thanks for your comments. Charlie Pickard Aladdin Solar __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
I meant the question largely to be a generic one but I can give you an example: Buried conductors are 6AWG. No additional grounding conductor exists between the main and detached building. As Brian Mehalic already responded, the 60A subpanel would tough to deal with for inverter sizing. Assume the AC disconnect is required near the main meter and so would have to disconnect all circuits in the subpanel. So say we put a 50A main breaker in the 60A subpanel to allow a Fronius IG 3.0 (3000 watt) and a string of 12 Sharp ND240s or similar. The PV ground would have to hit a ground rod at the garage and a grounding conductor would need to be buried back for bonding at the main building--right? - Original Message - From: Mark Frye To: RE-wrenches Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 9:25 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage? 1 - What is the AC output rating of the PV inverter? 2 - What is the size of the feeder conductors? 3 - Does the sub panel at the garage have a main breaker of it's own? 4 - Does your AHJ or utility require anAC disconnect or not? Mark Frye Berkeley Solar Electric Systems On 4/11/2012 7:09 AM, Aladdin Solar wrote: Wrenches: There's probably an obvious answer but please help me think this through. Here's the situation--comes up all the time: The PV array and grid-tied inverter will be located on a detached building (garage or pole barn, etc.). The existing power to the building is a 240V 60A subpanel connected to the main panelboard at the house or main building via buried cable. If we obey buss bar loading and wire sizing, etc, is there any reason why we can't or shouldn't install the small grid tied PV system and tie it into the garage subpanel instead of trenching new lines back to the house and hit the main panel there? One hitch I see is that if we want a PV system AC disconnect near the main meter, the whole garage would end up on that. Have I overlooked an NEC or inverter requirement? Thanks for your comments. Charlie Pickard Aladdin Solar __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com -- ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 7045 (20120411) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Helios Modules
Dick, I assume that you are referring to Helios, USA out of Milwaukee, WI. I put in about 12kW last year with no issues. They seem like a good solid product. I try to use them whenever i can since they are an in-state manufacturer for me. Kris On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 8:01 PM, Richard L Ratico richard.l.rat...@valley.net wrote: Wrenches, Does anyone have experience with Helios Modules they wish to share? Thanks, Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- Shine On! Kris Schmid Legacy Solar, LLC 864 Clam Falls Trail Frederic, WI 54837 www.legacysolar.com 715-653-4295 NABCEP Certified PV Installer BSEE ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Helios Modules
Dick We have been a distributor for these modules for more than a half a year. They are a first class, well-made module and they are a good company to work with Kind Regards Tom Duffy Senior Solar Design Engineer Toll Free 888-895-8179 t...@thesolar.biz For: Customer Service and Accounting 888-895-6810 Grid tie sales 888-895-7847 Off Grid sales 888-895-7765 Other Product Sales 888-895-9612 Shipping and Receiving 888-895-6497 Tech Support 888-895-8179 -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Richard L Ratico Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 7:02 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Helios Modules Wrenches, Does anyone have experience with Helios Modules they wish to share? Thanks, Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] small wind generators
We are also hearing very good reports of longevity with Kestrel's too. For instance, there is one (110) in Hawaii that has been running with a Classic without any trouble for about 3 years now. boB On 4/11/2012 3:08 AM, Hugh Piggott wrote: Interesting thread! We are having some success with a Kestrel turbine here on Scoraig http://scoraigwind.co.uk/?s=kestrel I second the idea that Ampair offer a modest but very robust range of products for high wind sites. cheers Hugh Piggott ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
Re: [RE-wrenches] Grid tied PV to subpanel on detached garage?
Not necessarily. NEC 2008, 250.32 (B), Exception allows you to use the neutral conductor for existing structure so long as several requirements are met. Check it out. On 4/11/2012 8:41 AM, Aladdin Solar wrote: I meant the question largely to be a generic one but I can give you an example: Buried conductors are 6AWG. No additional grounding conductor exists between the main and detached building. As Brian Mehalic already responded, the 60A subpanel would tough to deal with for inverter sizing. Assume the AC disconnect is required near the main meter and so would have to disconnect all circuits in the subpanel. So say we put a 50A main breaker in the 60A subpanel to allow a Fronius IG 3.0 (3000 watt) and a string of 12 Sharp ND240s or similar. The PV ground would have to hit a ground rod at the garage and a grounding conductor would need to be buried back for bonding at the main building--right? ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
