Important Consideration on Connecting Solar PV to your Electric Panel

I was having a bit of a difficult time understanding the requirements on the electric panel when a solar PV system is connected. I was under the impression that my 100 Amp service wouldn’t meet code requirements, but I wasn’t sure why.

Well, here is the story. NEC 690.64(B)2. That is the section of the National Electrial Code.

The concern is that you can’t have a situation where the utility current (100Amp) plus the solar array (30 Amp) is more than 120% of the rated capacity. Well 100+30=130 which is more than 100 X 1.2 = 120 so that doesn’t work. And it makes sense.

So here is the panel I think I’m upgrading to: My New Ann Arbor Load Panel (Note that this panel is also being set up for generator interlock and that is the topic of that particular article.)

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How To Mount It?

Mounting a bunch of PV panels on a shingle roof and guaranteeing it won’t leak. That is the job. A lot of companies that sell the panels don’t seem to focus much attention on this, but with my homeownership and home buying background I know it is super critical.

I’m collecting a couple of the products I’ve seen mentioned here:

Quick-foot

Quick Mount PV

Flat Jack Mount

There is another that I really like that I can’t find at the moment. But I shall return!

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Solar Power – Energy Renewable Solar

Energy Renewable Solar

Energy renewable solar power has many positive advantages in every day life, more than you might think. Newer power companies,are starting to understand that solar power can be an affordable alternative to plants that use valuable resources like coal, natural gas and petroleum, and far less dangerous than nuclear. Not only are the initial Continue reading Solar Power – Energy Renewable Solar

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Solar Power – Latest Solar Power news – Energy Providers Invest in Sharp Solar Power Plants in Germany

Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

Energy Providers Invest in Sharp Solar Power Plants in Germany

Roughly 17000 Sharp thin-film modules produce environmentally friendly electricity in each of Continue reading Solar Power – Latest Solar Power news – Energy Providers Invest in Sharp Solar Power Plants in Germany

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Solar Power – Solar Power Plants For Urban Use Becoming a Reality

Most of us are familiar with the concept behind the wind farm as a means to generate sufficient energy to power the needs of urban environments. Solar power technology has lagged behind in this field, as it was better suited to smaller installations.

Now, however, we are beginning to see new experimental installations and technologies that are striving to break the Continue reading Solar Power – Solar Power Plants For Urban Use Becoming a Reality

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