DIY - Home Solar Hybrid - Standalone - Grid Tie - Done!!

Well, I think I've finally finished my home solar project. After doing a lot of reading, I believe I have an otherwise decent and safe system. I tried to design it around the NEC's Article 690 as much as "practical". I've added additional components, and changed a few things around. It's been an enjoyable and worthwhile learning experience. I read "free" books on design, operation & maintenance, and safety, along with referencing the National Electrical Code in relation to PV systems. After playing with my new Grid Tie inverter, I'm convinced that it's a good addition to any system that produces 500+ Watts of power. My system is not the best and my way is not the only way to implement a home system, but I hope my ideas helps someone along the way. For those that wish to truly learn about Stand-Alone PV system design etc, the following are excellent free books I downloaded and used:
1.) Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems - (by Sandia National Labs)
2.) Maintenance And Operation of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems (Sandia)
3.) Working Safely with Photovoltaic Systems (Sandia National Labs)
4.) Photovoltaic Power Systems And the 2005 NEC: Suggested Practices

Simply google the titles and download the pdf's, and your good to go. Good Fortune, and have fun.

Latest Diagram:
http://dc112.4shared.com/download/A6SLzT-k/24Volt_Solar_Hybrid_StandAlone.jpeg

Other useful links;
http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/PDF/Stand%20Alone.pdf
http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/PDF/98TLREF13.pdf

Category:

Education

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[davidtwillis]

Just a thought. You could run those two fans in series on the 24v, without converting to 12v, and running them parallel.

[rhandsom]

@davidtwillis Thanks, 2 other viewers were thinking along the same lines. At the time that idea didn't occur to me, and I know it would've worked. But in any case, my current approach also gives me some additional flexibility. Take Care.

[Brown969]

Would you know if you can wire the dump load from your charge controller to the Grid Tie Inverter? That way when your batteries are full, you are exporting the energy you're still producing. Thanks for the tour.

[rhandsom]

@Brown969 I don't know if you could wire a dump load to the charge controller. Seems like it would be an excellent way to handle excess power if it works. But again, I've never tried it so I wouldn't know.

[rhandsom]

In response to Prancinglion1, this video shows 2 of 4 panels. 2 panels are mounted on a pole in the yard, and 2 are on the roof. Together the 2 separate solar arrays total approximately 670w.

[joshbulldog1661]

i think you should have water-cooled :P

[rhandsom]

@joshbulldog1661 Would be a great idea if I could incorporate the water cooling aspect into the design somehow. Take Care.

[davidtwillis]

@Brown969

You can do that, you just need a voltage switch, that turns on a relay when the batteries are full, then shuts off when they start getting low.

[Brown969]

@rhandsom I've never heard of anyone doing it either, but it made sense rather than dumping any excess current to something like a heater.

[Prancinglion1]

All this... and for two solar panels?