thought you'd all appreciate this.....

[Fulthrotl]

an EC i do lighting certifications for shot me these photos of
a solar install he'd been asked to quote the hookup on....

it's not immediately apparent, at least to me, but this is a fifteen
unit apartment building in so. calif.

edison base and cartridge fuses, one meter for the entire place,
no submetering. truly a thing to behold.

so, how do we put solar on this...... :lol:

 

[electrofelon]

so, how do we put solar on this...... :lol:

I would recommend a few of those cheap non UL listed Chinese inverters and some split bolts

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AGPtek-30...-For-Solar-Home-System-MPPT-function/50156245

 

[Fulthrotl]

I would recommend a few of those cheap non UL listed Chinese inverters and some split bolts

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AGPtek-30...-For-Solar-Home-System-MPPT-function/50156245

what are the split bolts for?

Installation:
1: connect the solar panel to the inverter. Red terminal of inverter is positive, Black terminal is Negative
2: Plug inverter power cable into any outlet at home
3: Switch on the inverter

 

[hbiss]

I just love how you California people like outside service equipment. That should have been replaced 75 years ago.

-Hal

 

[gadfly56]

I just love how you California people like outside service equipment. That should have been replaced 75 years ago.

-Hal

Yeah, it looks like it might date from 1906!

 

[iwire]

I just love how you California people like outside service equipment. That should have been replaced 75 years ago.

-Hal

The lights are still working, what's the problem?

 

[SolarPro]

Looks good from my house.

(If they go solar, maybe they can get a 30% tax credit on that much needed service upgrade?)

 

[electrofelon]

what are the split bolts for?

Installation:
1: connect the solar panel to the inverter. Red terminal of inverter is positive, Black terminal is Negative
2: Plug inverter power cable into any outlet at home
3: Switch on the inverter

Oh of course, the suicide cord method, even quicker....

 

[peter d]

so, how do we put solar on this...... :lol:

With a new service, obviously.

 

[Chamuit]

At least they taped the neutrals....

 

[pv_n00b]

I assume you want a serious answer so here's my swing at it. This is not as bad as it seems.

Since there is only one meter and no sub metering that means the tenants have their electricity paid for as part of the rent. This is actually great since the owner can offset more of the building load and receive the benefit. If the tenants paid for their own electricity then the owner could only offset the house loads.

Assuming they do not want to upgrade the whole service entrance I would do this as a supply side interconnection and the interconnection point I would use would be in the junction box the service conductors pass through to get from the CT box to the AC disconnect. There is less likelihood the AHJ would use this as an excuse to bring the whole thing up to current code if you stay away from the load side.

 

[pv_n00b]

I just love how you California people like outside service equipment. That should have been replaced 75 years ago.

-Hal

Ha, you only put it on the inside so you don't have to get your feet wet when a CB needs to be reset. :happyyes:

 

[c_picard]

Just make sure the glass side of the modules is facing up, you'll be good.

 

[jaggedben]

Are you kidding me? This is supposed to be a difficult situation? I would kill to have all my supply side taps come with a tap box already installed by someone else. Er, that is, to have it left in place in the form of a hollowed out old disco. Or whatever.
:lol:

I'd also kill to find 15 unit apartment buildings with a single meter. Talk about simplifying sales and system design. :happyyes:

Also, I wish my building service would be upgraded from something better than this, but I'm sure it won't be before I move out. Yes, the lights still work. :slaphead:

 

[iwire]

Ha, you only put it on the inside so you don't have to get your feet wet when a CB needs to be reset. :happyyes:

You like working in live panels in the rain or standing in two feet of snow?

We are smarter than that.