Non UL listed 'stand-alone' systems

tortuga

tortuga

Code Historian
Location
Oregon
Occupation
Electrical Design
We're getting more and more of these requests, some are harder to ignore its usually a long time customer has been sold a 'complete solar system' and has a pile of parts, panels, inverter, charge controller, batteries. These come in various forms the are sold all over the internet, the components appear to be for the marine and or RV market, typically no UL labels or not the right label.
Some systems are 'all in one' and you just plug in everything.
These systems are probably less than 1kw but I have seen installs up to 4kw.
I saw one recently and the battery looked like a bomb you'd see on a tv show.
I used to refer people to a solar guy that did 'off grid', he just gets annoyed with it and explains to people you need to spend like 20k for a real system, when they just got the 'same thing' for 2k.

For a detached structure like a barn with no other power source, I could see treating these just like someone wanting to power their barn or shed from a portable generator, I'd wire a generator 'inlet' on the structure, put in a small panel, grounding system etc. Then put the 'stand alone system' on a trailer or skid and connect it via a standard generator cord. That way the non-listed system is not on or in a permanent structure.
I get the appeal, especially in rural areas, you can buy one of these for under the cost of running a long feeder.

I have seen some other systems that were really sophisticated and intending to integrate with a on grid home running as zero export grid interactive others have an ATS,
youtube is full of videos of people showing these off.
What do you all see this in other parts of the country and how do you handle these?
 
I have done several systems like this. I refuse to mount any of it to a home or building however. Stick the panels on a mount and the electronics in a garden shed and run a conduit to the house and connect UL listed wire and breakers inside.
 
It's a race to the bottom with a new, cheaper competitor coming in every week.

In the olden days, Xantrex and Outback served a similar market, but they had longevity and support, and eventually developed listings, industry standards, etc.

I fear there will be little/no support for this modern junk. The offshore mfr. will just disappear.

It is all catered to DIY, let them DIY and stay clear is my suggestion.
 
CoolWill said:
I have done several systems like this. I refuse to mount any of it to a home or building however. Stick the panels on a mount and the electronics in a garden shed and run a conduit to the house and connect UL listed wire and breakers inside.
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I worry about liability of even putting it in any kind of a structure that would be occupied, perhaps a very small shed or pump house.
 
Birken Vogt said:
It's a race to the bottom with a new, cheaper competitor coming in every week.

In the olden days, Xantrex and Outback served a similar market, but they had longevity and support, and eventually developed listings, industry standards, etc.

I fear there will be little/no support for this modern junk. The offshore mfr. will just disappear.

It is all catered to DIY, let them DIY and stay clear is my suggestion.
Click to expand...
Sunny island was one I worked with / around excellent product.
 
A few years ago a guy came to us with a pile of gear he had paid a lot of money for; he wanted us to build a system out of it. We tried but after wasting a lot of time on it we eventually had to punt. Caveat emptor.
 
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