DIY 5kW system in San Diego Hyundai panels anyone?

[raysc]

Thanks Mark.

Couldn't PM you, how about the installation/permit/grid-connect. Did you hire someone, and do you have any recommendations for an installer? The quotes I am getting are like $6000 and up. It's a 4.2~4.3kW system, and more-or-less a "cookie cutter" installation / hook-up.

[MARKSDCA]

I am actually in the same boat, trying to build a 4.2~4.3kW system with LG mono/black panels and an Aurora 4.2kW string inverter: 2 strings of 8 panels each. The price I'm getting is more like $0.9 per watt for the panels alone (265/270W panels). I was wondering if I should settle for this price, or could I do better. I realize this is a very competitive field, but a rather frustrating one for a DIY installer.

Also, any suggestions for a good installer that will take care of permits/drawings all the way to the grid tie-up? I'm located in San Diego, more specifically Rancho Bernardo.

sending you PM...

[raysc]

Suggestion for a DIY solar project

I am actually in the same boat, trying to build a 4.2~4.3kW system with LG mono/black panels and an Aurora 4.2kW string inverter: 2 strings of 8 panels each. The price I'm getting is more like $0.9 per watt for the panels alone (265/270W panels). I was wondering if I should settle for this price, or could I do better. I realize this is a very competitive field, but a rather frustrating one for a DIY installer.

Also, any suggestions for a good installer that will take care of permits/drawings all the way to the grid tie-up? I'm located in San Diego, more specifically Rancho Bernardo.

[MARKSDCA]

The inverter is going to be outside next to my meter about 4 feet off the ground. The DC disconnect is built in to the inverter.....not inside.

Just got a message from Fronius tech support (Paul) and he said that you can go 20% over the name plate rating (in my case 6000 watts) so he said I can safely go to 13 per string so 26 times 270 (7020 watts) or otherwise up to 7200 watts.

[Amy@altE]

Does that include ground mounts? Bruce Roe

If the inverter is more than 5' inside a building, you do need rapid disconnect.

BTW, as far as the original question goes, I know those Hyundais in MA quite well. That brand wasn't selling well for some reason, so they are doing a blowout sale to move them so they can get other brands in that sell better. Nothing at all wrong with the panels, just name recognition.

P.S. gotta be fast in this forum, I see emartin beat me to the answer as I was typing.

[emartin00]

Does that include ground mounts? Bruce Roe

Only if the DC conductors touch or enter the building for more than 5 feet. So if the inverter were mounted on the wall, less than 5 feet high, and the conductors go straight to it, then you would be all set.

[bcroe]

Keep in mind that the 2014 requires a DC shut off within 10 feet of the array, or 5 feet inside the building. Unless your inverter is right near the panels, you may need a seperate DC disconnect.

Does that include ground mounts? Bruce Roe

[emartin00]

I plan to have 2 strings of 11 panels each. No shade problems on my roof. Inverter has built-in DC diconnect and will be mounted outside. Panels are 270 watts and specs here:

http://www.solarworld-usa.com/~/media/www/files/datasheets/sunmodule-plus/sunmodule-solar-panel-270-mono-ds.pdf

Fronius 6.0-1 specs here:

https://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xchg...m#.VSQ-Tyx0wSk

Keep in mind that the 2014 requires a DC shut off within 10 feet of the array, or 5 feet inside the building. Unless your inverter is right near the panels, you may need a seperate DC disconnect.

[bcroe]

I believe the configurator tool is trying to say (correctly or not), a 6KW inverter is
too big for 22 panels. Is not tied to how they are arranged. Since the inverter
was a bargain, guess it will stay, at a small loss of efficiency. Bruce Roe

[MARKSDCA]

Good catch, not sure why there is a discrepancy unless Solarworld updated their module. I would send an email to Fronius, or call them, and ask to have the tool updated. If you run it as a 275W it's a lot closer to the specs and says that you're good with 2 strings of 11.

Yes that's what I figured!

Like the San Diego sunshine my panels outperform expectations.

[JFinch57]

Good catch, not sure why there is a discrepancy unless Solarworld updated their module. I would send an email to Fronius, or call them, and ask to have the tool updated. If you run it as a 275W it's a lot closer to the specs and says that you're good with 2 strings of 11.

[MARKSDCA]

The configurator tool says that 2 strings of 12 may be undersized. [ATTACH=CONFIG]6236[/ATTACH]

You know the configurator doesn't have the correct specs for my Solarworld SW 270 Mono blacks....my specs are in the attached pic.

Pmax 270
Voc 39.2
Vmpp 30.9
Isc 9.44
Impp 8.81

SOLAR270XXXAA.jpg

[JFinch57]

The configurator tool says that 2 strings of 12 may be undersized. Fronius1.JPG

[MARKSDCA]

I plan to have 2 strings of 11 panels each. No shade problems on my roof. Inverter has built-in DC diconnect and will be mounted outside. Panels are 270 watts and specs here:

http://www.solarworld-usa.com/~/media/www/files/datasheets/sunmodule-plus/sunmodule-solar-panel-270-mono-ds.pdf

Fronius 6.0-1 specs here:

https://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-8D089B31-3339B3AF/fronius_usa/hs.xsl/2714_10606.htm#.VSQ-Tyx0wSk

[bcroe]

Go to the Fronius website and find the configuration tool. I don't recall if it's web based or you have to download and install it. That will tell you your ideal string sizes. You might need 3 strings of 8 and have to buy 2 additional panels, 3 strings of 7, 3 strings of 9 etc. Doubt it will work with 2 strings of 11 but I'm mostly familiar with microinverters. I have a Fronius 38KW system with 3 10KW inverters, 55 panels/inverter on a commercial building that I paid to have installed. Ran the configuration tool to max it out on each inverter. One normally figures this out prior to purchasing panels.

I don't know how they define "ideal string size", but I've been running 12 250W panels in series
for 40,000 hours, no issues and comfortably within Fronius specs. Series uses the least wire and
gives the least transmission loss, and makes makes practical using the Fronius built in combiner
function.

However, if an outside DC disconnect is needed and the Fronius is mounted inside, an outside
combiner will be needed anyway. Or if some panels will be subjected to shade, those should
be grouped into their own string; that could be a good reason for shorter strings. Bruce Roe