sunny boy inverter?

[mudhole]

thanks ampster, i tried today to see if the jurisdiction is jemc or local govt, govt is pretty much shut down, nobody to talk to , i will reach out to my jemc point of contact

[Ampster]

............

ampster- ya, the emc requires an air gap disconnect that can be visibly seen and can be locked open.

An airgap disconnect is not a Rapid Shutdown Device. I don't know if you will need a RSD. I am just saying it is not an explicit issue with your utility. What I am saying is it is implicit that your installation complies with NEC. Whether your jurisdiction has adoped the latest version of the NEC is the critical issue. The latest version is the one that requires RSD, Some jurisdictions have been slower to adopt the latest version of NEC. The checklist does refer to a Certificate of Completion. The important question is where do you get the Certificate of Completion. Does it come from JEMC or from the local building department? Is it the normal conclusion of obtaining an electrical permit from the City or County unrelated to JEMC?
The only reason I am mentioning this is because it will influence your choices of inverters and other system parts.

[mudhole]

suneagle- yes i definitely plan on turning in the paperwork to our emc, that is why i am on this forum , trying to figure it all out...our emc will reimburse $450 per kw, but to get that you have to use an nabcep electrician, all those in my area are charging close to 3$ per watt(well the 2 i called), i am pretty sure i can do it for close to $1-1.50 per watt, so i will have to forgo their incentive...

ampster- ya, the emc requires an air gap disconnect that can be visibly seen and can be locked open.

[SunEagle]

https://www.jacksonemc.com/sites/def..._-_9.12.19.pdf

these are the local emc requirements...just in case you are really bored

I am not bored I just want to make sure you are getting all of your ducks in a row before an AHJ or POCO shuts you down. I am very much in support of a DIY installation as long as all parties understand what they need to provide for approval before energizing it.

So that said I presume you have or will send in the application to get approval from JEMC on the installation drawings or plan on going that route.

[Ampster]

it calls for an air gap disconnect, nothing about a rapid disconnect, but i think i would install a rapid disconnect anyway

The form of Rapid Shutdown Device required in the NEC is a system that ensures that there is no high voltage DC on the roof that could pose a danger to firefighters. Simply disconnecting the DC rapidly does not do that. Even disconnecting the DC slowly does not turn off the panels ability to shock a firefighter.

[mudhole]

it calls for an air gap disconnect, nothing about a rapid disconnect, but i think i would install a rapid disconnect anyway

[Ampster]

.......
these are the local emc requirements...just in case you are really bored

In my jurisdiction there are two phases to interconnection. One, the building permit from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Those rules generally follow the NEC and deal with issues behind the electrical meter, including rapid shutdown. Two, the interconnection with the utility which only concerns itself with the capacity of the system and whether the inverter complies with UL and any local requirements.

In some cases of a municipal utility they are the same entity and that may be the case in what you describe as an emc. In that case there may be another code section that follows the NEC run by a different department.

[Ampster]

the permission is based on our local emc, they have a guideline book for interconnecting, our local municipality has only codes for solar farms.

I would guess that code draws from some version of the NEC.Do you know if they follow the most recent version that includes Rapid Shutdown?

[mudhole]

https://www.jacksonemc.com/sites/default/files/interconnection_procedure_final_-_9.12.19.pdf

these are the local emc requirements...just in case you are really bored

[mudhole]

also thanks for the info on the panels!!, is there an optimum input voltage to the inverter, i think i read somewhere 20% above the output voltage? obviously will have to be in the range of the inverter, and i am guessing not near the edges of its capability also.

[mudhole]

the permission is based on our local emc, they have a guideline book for interconnecting, our local municipality has only codes for solar farms.

[SunEagle]

is there a physical difference in the actual panel, between marketed "grid tie" vs "off grid" , from what i can tell the output is all the same.

Usually a "grid tie" panel has a higher wattage and Vmp rating then an "off grid" panel. Although you can use a grid tie for off grid. The limiting is your inverter input ratings.

Both I and Ampster have asked if you have contacted your local AHJ or POCO on this installation. If you haven't you may be in for a rude awakening because the install is not approved or legal.

Do you have permission for this installation?

[mudhole]

is there a physical difference in the actual panel, between marketed "grid tie" vs "off grid" , from what i can tell the output is all the same.

[mudhole]

ohh, nevermind, batteries would have to be 400-500volt

[mudhole]

the only other inverter that might be economical is the delta 6000w hybrid, it says it can be run without batteries, but if calamity hits, i could add batteries to it. does anybody have experience with the Delta product?