Finally starting my 2KW GT system - Page 2

solar_dave · 08-10-2010, 12:21 PM

Mine ties in to the panel with a 60 amp back feed breaker my 2 inverters can output 23amps of 240 V each, the issues I had was that with my load profile in my panel adding a 60 AMP breaker could possibly overload the buss bar in the panel. I think they allow 120% of rated buss bar.. I actually had to upgrade my service entrance to 400 amp to get the city to buy off on it

trbizwiz · 08-17-2010, 08:30 AM

Well guys, I think they are about to break my resolve. Empire is still denying my grid tie status. Some BS about not understanding the drawing. I sent them photos of the entire setup and schematics of the wiring. I honestly think they are afraid I will try to get them to pay the $2 per watt rebate that they are required by law to pay. I am guessing they have a habit of denying most systems several times just to get people to give up. I don't have the time or interest level in suing them for the rebate dollars like some have taken to. I really don't even care about that. But I am starting to lose interest in the project altogether. It appears I cant come up with a diagram that their retarded engineers can understand. I cant afford this system if I have to pay someone $10K to install it. I will think on this for a day or two, but i am thinking I may be done. It will be a better world if there are one fewer renewable energy generators on line, I guess.

**Mike90250** · 08-17-2010, 11:47 AM

How about posting the drawing here ? maybe some of us could give free advice. At least we'd know what they don't like.

I don't think you can get the rebates till the entire system is approved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trbizwiz

Well guys, I think they are about to break my resolve. Empire is still denying my grid tie status. Some BS about not understanding the drawing. I sent them photos of the entire setup and schematics of the wiring. I honestly think they are afraid I will try to get them to pay the $2 per watt rebate that they are required by law to pay. I am guessing they have a habit of denying most systems several times just to get people to give up. I don't have the time or interest level in suing them for the rebate dollars like some have taken to. I really don't even care about that. But I am starting to lose interest in the project altogether. It appears I cant come up with a diagram that their retarded engineers can understand. I cant afford this system if I have to pay someone $10K to install it. I will think on this for a day or two, but i am thinking I may be done. It will be a better world if there are one fewer renewable energy generators on line, I guess.

trbizwiz · 08-17-2010, 12:40 PM

Yes, I don't even care about any rebates. But I am not buying any equipment until they approve my grid tie. I'll Lose my grant if I don't buy the equipment soon.
I did just get off the phone with empire they are going to fax me a drawing symbolic of what they want. So we will see.

trbizwiz · 08-20-2010, 01:27 PM

Here is the newest drawing, I hope they like this one.

NeilTheCop · 08-22-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trbizwiz

Well an Empire Electric guy came out to look at my setup. So maybe I am getting closer to getting grid tie approval. Quick question, have any of you that installed you own systems had much trouble getting grid tie approval. Is this normal. I am glad we are erroring on the side of caution. I am just a little surprised it has been this much of a challenge.

On the up side I want to get this right the first time, it's always cheaper that way. The guy that came out yesterday did say we would have a double meter setup in our existing meter box. he said ti would fit in what we have. That is good news. We have a brick house and the meter box is inset in the brick. Changing that out would be a mess. He also said they hope in the future to have a true net metering system, but as of right now their billing system cant handle it. My bills will all have to be done by hand. So I guess I will need to keep close track my self. Another plus for the enphase, as it tracks and records the output for review at anytime.

May I suggest you send them a copy of, The Net Metering and the Easy Connection Act

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2238.pdf

And ask them what part are they having problems with.

trbizwiz · 08-23-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilTheCop

May I suggest you send them a copy of, The Net Metering and the Easy Connection Act

http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2238.pdf

And ask them what part are they having problems with.

The biggest thing I ran into was the wiring diagram. They wanted a professional diagram. I don't know any electrical engineers, and my first several attempts were judged sub par. The one above has however met with their approval. If any viewers of this thread are going through similar approval issues, that is a decent starting point for your wiring diagram. Your interconnect service may be 4 wires rather than three like mine. My neutral acts as a ground. You also may have to go through a transfer switch (utilities prefer you not use transfer switches for cut off switches). Transfer switches have a somewhat more elaborate diagram that a simple cut off switch.

I will say that all the rejections did cause me to look deeper into my existing wiring. I now have a much better understanding of how things are wired in my setup, and some of my original thoughts on my first diagrams were wrong. My system is actually going to be much more simple than I originally thought.

The engineer did give me a call Friday evening, and he did not use the words approved, but he seemed to indicate everything now looks in order. I should hear back this week if I am pre approved. I just need to get my equipment ordered by next Tuesday.

08-10-2010, 12:21 PM	#11
solar_dave Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 29	Mine ties in to the panel with a 60 amp back feed breaker my 2 inverters can output 23amps of 240 V each, the issues I had was that with my load profile in my panel adding a 60 AMP breaker could possibly overload the buss bar in the panel. I think they allow 120% of rated buss bar.. I actually had to upgrade my service entrance to 400 amp to get the city to buy off on it __________________ My TED 5000 system Sticking it to the power company one watt at a time! 60 Ningbo Electric 175 watt panels and 12 Canadian Solar 180 watt panels with 2 PVP 5200 Inverters

08-20-2010, 01:27 PM	#15
trbizwiz Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mt Vernon MO Posts: 67	I redid the electrical drawing today Here is the newest drawing, I hope they like this one.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-17-2010, 08:30 AM	#12
trbizwiz Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mt Vernon MO Posts: 67	Well guys, I think they are about to break my resolve. Empire is still denying my grid tie status. Some BS about not understanding the drawing. I sent them photos of the entire setup and schematics of the wiring. I honestly think they are afraid I will try to get them to pay the $2 per watt rebate that they are required by law to pay. I am guessing they have a habit of denying most systems several times just to get people to give up. I don't have the time or interest level in suing them for the rebate dollars like some have taken to. I really don't even care about that. But I am starting to lose interest in the project altogether. It appears I cant come up with a diagram that their retarded engineers can understand. I cant afford this system if I have to pay someone $10K to install it. I will think on this for a day or two, but i am thinking I may be done. It will be a better world if there are one fewer renewable energy generators on line, I guess.

08-17-2010, 12:40 PM	#14
trbizwiz Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mt Vernon MO Posts: 67	Yes, I don't even care about any rebates. But I am not buying any equipment until they approve my grid tie. I'll Lose my grant if I don't buy the equipment soon. I did just get off the phone with empire they are going to fax me a drawing symbolic of what they want. So we will see.