Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [solar]

137 questions
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What's a reasonable expectation for efficiency in modern solar panels?

I recently had a solar array installed on my roof with four different sections connected to three inverters - the total array includes 56 panels for a total of 13.44 kW. However, I'm not seeing anywhere near that much production, even during the…
SqlRyan
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80amp EVSE on subpanel

I’ve got a trivial problem that has become complicated by a non-trivial setup. My goal is to install an 80amp (100amp breaker) EVSE to charge my electric truck. An incentive from my electric provider will pay up to $850 for the installation of an…
cyclops
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Off-Grid Well Setup

I have a well drilled and set up soon on my property where I plan to use completely off-grid (not tied to city power) solar array. Obviously I plan to optimize the power usage for everything that is going to be there. The well pump is one of those…
i--
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Is it a problem that the mounting screws of solar panels are not into framing?

I had solar installed last week. The past couple of days it has been raining so I went to my attic to check for any leaks. I didn't notice any leaks but I noticed the following: Mounting screws weren't on framing. One barely missed the rafter and…
user162793
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2 answers

Like for Like Main Panel Replacement (PG&E)

I'm located in the bay area - PG&E territory. I have a Federal Pacific panel that needs to be replaced but it is within 3 feet of a gas line. My wires are underground so it'd require trenchwork and a length and $$$ project to move it. I'm also…
kai
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2 answers

Do I need to upgrade to a 400A panel with solar?

I'm getting solar installed with some powerwalls. As it stands I'm going to have my entire house backed up. However, I plan to add two EV chargers in the future and I don't want these backed up. The solar contractor told me this: Main has to have…
rnavarro
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Why would a wall outlet read 12 V AC at 3 kHz?

I have an exposed wire coming out of a wall, I believe the old owners of the house had a wine fridge or some other appliance installed in the space. I went to install an outlet on this wire and measured the voltage with a Klein Tools MM400…
sparaps
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AC can only go one direction

I'm currently sending grid power from my house to a shed, and I'm now trying to send solar power from an inverter back to the house. I'm confused because the house can power the shed (120V AC displaying from an outlet in the shed, but when I connect…
st4rgut
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Photovoltaic installation: does it make sense (or is possible at all) to get a bigger inverter than the power output of the installed panels?

We are going to install a PV in our offices. Our actual needs would be satisfied by an installation of about 4kW, so that ~16 panels of 250W. It's going to be a central-inverter, grid-connected installation. Now, we would probably need more power in…
Rodrigo Gómez
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3
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1 answer

Why does the Tesla PowerWall operate at 350v - 450v?

According to the Tesla website the new Powerwall operates at 350 to 450 volts? Why such a high voltage when most solar battery banks operate at 48V?
Not a chance
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2 answers

Solar backup system, advice needed

Here in South Africa we are experiencing frequent power blackouts, as I work from home on a small property (generators not an option) this is rather disruptive to my work as a programmer. So bearing this and the rapidly rising electricity prices in…
Malcolm MacLeod
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What is required to connect solar panels to my home without connecting to the grid?

My household has a base power consumption of approx. 200W-300W. I am considering if it was possible to get a reasonably sized solar panel to cover its needs when the sun is up, with a seamless transition to the grid for spikes / low light times. As…
petr
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3 answers

Use subpanel main breaker slot for outgoing circuit?

We have a small electrical subpanel with only 12 breaker slots. It's rated 125A, which is enough for all the circuits we want, but we will probably run out of slots when adding solar, induction range, electric dryer, heat pump water heater, etc. We…
Matthias Fripp
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1 answer

How can I evaluate solar panels to power night lights in areas that don't get direct light?

I have a creek crossing in the woods: This photo is in the early spring. During the summer it's a bit like a jungle. We've considered the idea of putting foot lights along the edges of the crossing. They could either go on at dark or use motion…
Tango
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How to identify electrical panel busbar rating

recently I got a bid from a solar company and they said I don't need to upgrade my eletrical box since it is rated at 125 amps, and for that value, I can install a 7k system based on calculation here…
Dude from SF
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