I have been trying to figure out a few things on a residence for solar and seems each direction is not uncomplicated. I have read and read and can't seem to answer a couple questions so I am providing a wiring layout and my questions and hopefully the experts can help me out as I would appreciate it very much. Home is on five acres and includes main house with combo 400/320 meter box, a remote 200 amp subpanel, and two outbuildings both with 125amp subpanels which I need to connect separate solar arrays on. See attached image for details I thought were pertinent.
My questions;
Does the main box carry a 400 or 320 amp rating used to calculate the size of array it can support or is it based on a portion since it has two 200 amp main breakers when calculating the 120% rule?
What is the maximum array size in amps I can connect to the two end subpanels given current layout? On diagram I put a red breaker where I am thinking I would connect the two solar systems each on a different building.
As stated, main combo box is a 400/320amp combination with a single meter. All described wiring already exists. Must I have a disconnect other than the circuit breaker that leads to the subpanel leg that the solar is connected to? Obviously, desire is to plug in system with a new breaker in the end subpanel and not have to rewire everything around the main box as its limited in space around the box and wiring is pretty tight and not going to lend itself to rerouting to other boxes at its location. With auto shutdown, microinverters are going to shutdown as soon as meter is pulled so box goes cold.. is more needed?
Thank you.
House wiring layout.jpg
My questions;
Does the main box carry a 400 or 320 amp rating used to calculate the size of array it can support or is it based on a portion since it has two 200 amp main breakers when calculating the 120% rule?
What is the maximum array size in amps I can connect to the two end subpanels given current layout? On diagram I put a red breaker where I am thinking I would connect the two solar systems each on a different building.
As stated, main combo box is a 400/320amp combination with a single meter. All described wiring already exists. Must I have a disconnect other than the circuit breaker that leads to the subpanel leg that the solar is connected to? Obviously, desire is to plug in system with a new breaker in the end subpanel and not have to rewire everything around the main box as its limited in space around the box and wiring is pretty tight and not going to lend itself to rerouting to other boxes at its location. With auto shutdown, microinverters are going to shutdown as soon as meter is pulled so box goes cold.. is more needed?
Thank you.
House wiring layout.jpg
Comment