Solar, Battery, Generator, Utility combination

[bmaclaff]

I'm installing a 400A service with two 200A subpanels for a client. He wants a propane generator, solar panels, a battery bank and will be connected to the local power utility but does not want the solar to be grid tied. I know how to install daisy-chained automatic transfer switches for the generator (Generac ATS's are set up for this) but I'm looking for the best options for connecting all 4 sources. So far I've found that many vendors are generator only, some solar/battery only and some are low amperage only.

 

[pv_n00b]

The design depends on what the client means by not having the solar tied to the grid. If they want a non-export system that works in parallel with the grid that's one design, if they want a PV+Gen+BESS system that only works as a backup power source when the grid is down that's a different design.

 

[Birken Vogt]

If you do not already have experience in this arena and have a list of products and part numbers and an idea of how it is going to be done in your mind already, I would not want you to take on this project. There are a lot of pitfalls and a lot of products to choose from and they don't all play well together, or work as advertised. Either that or throw a big learning curve price at the project. I've seen a number of these projects end up where the installer walked away with the project incomplete or incompletable because foundational steps were missed.

 

[bmaclaff]

pv_n00b, yes a non-export system that works in parallel with the grid. I think the client's hope is to have the following priority- solar, battery, utility, propane generator in that order.

Birken, certainly good point. I'm doing the wiring on the job, that's settled. I don't mind getting extra expertice as needed. I agree with the concern about products not playing well together. I'm hoping to get an idea from those of you who know far more than I do, a good direction to go. I'd love it if I could find an ATS that could handle all or most of the options so that the solar array/inverter/batteries could be added later.

 

[ggunn]

Not wanting for the solar to be grid tied and a non-export system that works in parallel with the grid are two different things.

 

[winnie]

What is the customer's goal:

• Offset their energy use but not have to deal with an interconnect agreement?
• Stick it to the man and not feed solar back to the grid, not matter what it costs them?
• Minimize costs relative to some particular tariff structure?

 

[ggunn]

What is the customer's goal:

• Offset their energy use but not have to deal with an interconnect agreement?
• Stick it to the man and not feed solar back to the grid, not matter what it costs them?
• Minimize costs relative to some particular tariff structure?

People who try to "stick it to the man" with cleverly designed renewable energy systems often end up sticking it to themselves.