Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches]

I've been making gutter bus wireways that run the length of batteries and
inverters allowing for exact lengths of cables. I think I posted a picture
of an exceptionally large one. 24' long. I'm looking at the rack mounted
set up because the bussing and cabling is done. 3 racks of 6 5kwhr
batteries. All I will need is cabling from the racks to a small (in size)
bussbar

On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 3:50 PM Jay  wrote:

> Sounds like a good design.
>
>
> As a tangent question to 13 parallel batteries, such as you’ll need
> Michael.
>
> How are people wiring larger numbers of lithium batteries together in
> parallel?
>
> Massive buss bars which I’m not sure how to do in a code compliance way.
> Or
> Not worrying about different cable lengths?
> Or
> Adding another conductor to the farthest batteries to compensate for VD
> Or
> Making all the cables the same length?
>
> Thx
>
> Jay
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 18, 2023, at 4:37 PM, Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Jay,
> I'd like to design for 60kw supply and 100kWh battery. I think I'm going
> to try the Discover rack mount set up rather than AES's and custom bussing.
> Jason,
> That's exactly what I was thinking, if I go the Sol-Ark route. Last time I
> ordered custom panelboards like that, they were six months out.
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:18 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> If 40kw is the peak and then there are new added loads, what 50-60kw?
>>
>> If it was me I’d be designing the inverters to handle the 50/60 kw with
>> future expansion capabilities beyond that.
>>
>> Then how much kWh of storage are you going to need or maybe are planning
>> for?
>>
>> At some point maybe looking at a larger single inverter with high voltage
>> battery vs 48v?
>> I’m not sure if there are any 120/240 versions yet.
>>
>> Jay
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sep 18, 2023, at 12:36 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> I like the Sol-Ark idea having had a few dual-unit successes recently. In
>> terms of combining them, the Sol-ark manual has a good triple unit wiring
>> diagram on page 53. You would have to use two 400A panelboards with three
>> 200A breakers for each to follow this diagram. However, I don't see the
>> point of a combining load center on the load side of the paralleled units.
>> The Sol-Arks each have a 200A integrated load breaker, so why not just
>> combine the outputs in a multi-tap connector or busbar? I think there is a
>> code-compliant way to make that work, but I haven't studied it with three
>> units.
>>
>> I would definitely ditch the SolarEdge inverters and just make it DC
>> coupled to the Sol-Arks. You don't need these to be a failure point in the
>> system, and the AC coupling will reduce the energy production in backup
>> scenarios.
>>
>> It sounds like you would have to get the six 200 feeders out of the
>> meter/main and into a new panelboard on the load side of the Sol-Arks. So
>> that's another required load center.
>>
>> And if money is truly no object, I would consider a manual transfer
>> switch to bypass the inverters for service. I'm afraid to look up what a
>> 400A DPDT switch costs.
>>
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate.
>>> We haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have
>>> some questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.
>>>
>>> Here's the existing infrastructure.
>>> 1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to
>>> various sub-panels on the property
>>> 2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator
>>> 3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array.
>>> Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.
>>> 4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw.
>>> This could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could
>>> be occupied.
>>>
>>> My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I
>>> looked into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is
>>> needed to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during
>>> transfer. That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4
>>> or more XWPROs?
>>>
>>> Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in
>>> having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty
>>> weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are
>>> mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull
>>> out the 4/0 feeders and 

Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

Sounds like a good design. As a tangent question to 13 parallel batteries, such as you’ll need Michael. How are people wiring larger numbers of lithium batteries together in parallel?Massive buss bars which I’m not sure how to do in a code compliance way. Or Not worrying about different cable lengths?Or Adding another conductor to the farthest batteries to compensate for VDOr Making all the cables the same length?Thx JayOn Sep 18, 2023, at 4:37 PM, Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches  wrote:Jay, I'd like to design for 60kw supply and 100kWh battery. I think I'm going to try the Discover rack mount set up rather than AES's and custom bussing.Jason,That's exactly what I was thinking, if I go the Sol-Ark route. Last time I ordered custom panelboards like that, they were six months out.On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:18 PM Jay via RE-wrenches  wrote:If 40kw is the peak and then there are new added loads, what 50-60kw?  If it was me I’d be designing the inverters to handle the 50/60 kw with future expansion capabilities beyond that. Then how much kWh of storage are you going to need or maybe are planning for?At some point maybe looking at a larger single inverter with high voltage battery vs 48v?I’m not sure if there are any 120/240 versions yet.  JayOn Sep 18, 2023, at 12:36 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches  wrote:I like the Sol-Ark idea having had a few dual-unit successes recently. In terms of combining them, the Sol-ark manual has a good triple unit wiring diagram on page 53. You would have to use two 400A panelboards with three 200A breakers for each to follow this diagram. However, I don't see the point of a combining load center on the load side of the paralleled units. The Sol-Arks each have a 200A integrated load breaker, so why not just combine the outputs in a multi-tap connector or busbar? I think there is a code-compliant way to make that work, but I haven't studied it with three units.I would definitely ditch the SolarEdge inverters and just make it DC coupled to the Sol-Arks. You don't need these to be a failure point in the system, and the AC coupling will reduce the energy production in backup scenarios.It sounds like you would have to get the six 200 feeders out of the meter/main and into a new panelboard on the load side of the Sol-Arks. So that's another required load center.And if money is truly no object, I would consider a manual transfer switch to bypass the inverters for service. I'm afraid to look up what a 400A DPDT switch costs.Jason SzumlanskiPrincipal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design GroupNABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches  wrote:I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.Here's the existing infrastructure.1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to various sub-panels on the property2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator 3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array. Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be occupied.My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I looked into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is needed to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during transfer. That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4 or more XWPROs?Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull out the 4/0 feeders and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC coupling is that we would lose PV monitoring and control.I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they leave me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that SA just shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, what's the preferred combining method? All that I can come up with is a custom 400a panelboard w/ three 200a breakers. Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this property (which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building something that is ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where the grid is no longer available.Any suggestions or 

Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches]

Jay,
I'd like to design for 60kw supply and 100kWh battery. I think I'm going to
try the Discover rack mount set up rather than AES's and custom bussing.
Jason,
That's exactly what I was thinking, if I go the Sol-Ark route. Last time I
ordered custom panelboards like that, they were six months out.


On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:18 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> If 40kw is the peak and then there are new added loads, what 50-60kw?
>
> If it was me I’d be designing the inverters to handle the 50/60 kw with
> future expansion capabilities beyond that.
>
> Then how much kWh of storage are you going to need or maybe are planning
> for?
>
> At some point maybe looking at a larger single inverter with high voltage
> battery vs 48v?
> I’m not sure if there are any 120/240 versions yet.
>
> Jay
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 18, 2023, at 12:36 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> I like the Sol-Ark idea having had a few dual-unit successes recently. In
> terms of combining them, the Sol-ark manual has a good triple unit wiring
> diagram on page 53. You would have to use two 400A panelboards with three
> 200A breakers for each to follow this diagram. However, I don't see the
> point of a combining load center on the load side of the paralleled units.
> The Sol-Arks each have a 200A integrated load breaker, so why not just
> combine the outputs in a multi-tap connector or busbar? I think there is a
> code-compliant way to make that work, but I haven't studied it with three
> units.
>
> I would definitely ditch the SolarEdge inverters and just make it DC
> coupled to the Sol-Arks. You don't need these to be a failure point in the
> system, and the AC coupling will reduce the energy production in backup
> scenarios.
>
> It sounds like you would have to get the six 200 feeders out of the
> meter/main and into a new panelboard on the load side of the Sol-Arks. So
> that's another required load center.
>
> And if money is truly no object, I would consider a manual transfer switch
> to bypass the inverters for service. I'm afraid to look up what a 400A DPDT
> switch costs.
>
>
> Jason Szumlanski
> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We
>> haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some
>> questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.
>>
>> Here's the existing infrastructure.
>> 1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to
>> various sub-panels on the property
>> 2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator
>> 3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array.
>> Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.
>> 4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This
>> could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be
>> occupied.
>>
>> My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I
>> looked into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is
>> needed to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during
>> transfer. That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4
>> or more XWPROs?
>>
>> Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in
>> having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty
>> weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are
>> mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull
>> out the 4/0 feeders and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC
>> coupling is that we would lose PV monitoring and control.
>>
>> I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA
>> systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the
>> speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they
>> leave me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that
>> SA just shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, *what's
>> the preferred combining method?* All that I can come up with is a custom
>> 400a panelboard w/ three 200a breakers.
>>
>> Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this
>> property (which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building
>> something that is ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where
>> the grid is no longer available.
>>
>> Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>> --
>>
>> Michael Morningstar
>>
>>
>> Morningstar Electric
>>
>> PO Box 1494
>>
>> Mount Shasta, CA 96067
>>
>> 530-921-0560
>>
>> mjmornings...@gmail.com
>>
>>
>> 

[RE-wrenches] Back Issues of SolarPro Magazine

[Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches]

Wrenches,

I have a dusty stack of SolarPro magazines and am curious if there are
folks on the list who might want them.  At a glance I see issues from 2014
and 2017 and presumably they're all from around that time.  There are also
some copies of Home Power in there.  Please contact me off list if you're
interested.

Sincerely,
Sam

[image: OnSite Energy]


SAM HARALDSON
Field Operations Director
(406) 551-6135
1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
Locally owned and operated since 2012
[image: B Corporation]

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Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Jay via RE-wrenches]

If 40kw is the peak and then there are new added loads, what 50-60kw?  If it was me I’d be designing the inverters to handle the 50/60 kw with future expansion capabilities beyond that. Then how much kWh of storage are you going to need or maybe are planning for?At some point maybe looking at a larger single inverter with high voltage battery vs 48v?I’m not sure if there are any 120/240 versions yet.  JayOn Sep 18, 2023, at 12:36 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches  wrote:I like the Sol-Ark idea having had a few dual-unit successes recently. In terms of combining them, the Sol-ark manual has a good triple unit wiring diagram on page 53. You would have to use two 400A panelboards with three 200A breakers for each to follow this diagram. However, I don't see the point of a combining load center on the load side of the paralleled units. The Sol-Arks each have a 200A integrated load breaker, so why not just combine the outputs in a multi-tap connector or busbar? I think there is a code-compliant way to make that work, but I haven't studied it with three units.I would definitely ditch the SolarEdge inverters and just make it DC coupled to the Sol-Arks. You don't need these to be a failure point in the system, and the AC coupling will reduce the energy production in backup scenarios.It sounds like you would have to get the six 200 feeders out of the meter/main and into a new panelboard on the load side of the Sol-Arks. So that's another required load center.And if money is truly no object, I would consider a manual transfer switch to bypass the inverters for service. I'm afraid to look up what a 400A DPDT switch costs.Jason SzumlanskiPrincipal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design GroupNABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches  wrote:I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.Here's the existing infrastructure.1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to various sub-panels on the property2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator 3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array. Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be occupied.My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I looked into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is needed to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during transfer. That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4 or more XWPROs?Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull out the 4/0 feeders and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC coupling is that we would lose PV monitoring and control.I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they leave me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that SA just shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, what's the preferred combining method? All that I can come up with is a custom 400a panelboard w/ three 200a breakers. Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this property (which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building something that is ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where the grid is no longer available.Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.Michael-- 








Michael MorningstarMorningstar ElectricPO Box 1494Mount Shasta, CA 96067530-921-0560mjmornings...@gmail.com
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Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches]

I like the Sol-Ark idea having had a few dual-unit successes recently. In
terms of combining them, the Sol-ark manual has a good triple unit wiring
diagram on page 53. You would have to use two 400A panelboards with three
200A breakers for each to follow this diagram. However, I don't see the
point of a combining load center on the load side of the paralleled units.
The Sol-Arks each have a 200A integrated load breaker, so why not just
combine the outputs in a multi-tap connector or busbar? I think there is a
code-compliant way to make that work, but I haven't studied it with three
units.

I would definitely ditch the SolarEdge inverters and just make it DC
coupled to the Sol-Arks. You don't need these to be a failure point in the
system, and the AC coupling will reduce the energy production in backup
scenarios.

It sounds like you would have to get the six 200 feeders out of the
meter/main and into a new panelboard on the load side of the Sol-Arks. So
that's another required load center.

And if money is truly no object, I would consider a manual transfer switch
to bypass the inverters for service. I'm afraid to look up what a 400A DPDT
switch costs.


Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956


On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We
> haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some
> questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.
>
> Here's the existing infrastructure.
> 1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to
> various sub-panels on the property
> 2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator
> 3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array.
> Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.
> 4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This
> could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be
> occupied.
>
> My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I
> looked into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is
> needed to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during
> transfer. That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4
> or more XWPROs?
>
> Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in
> having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty
> weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are
> mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull
> out the 4/0 feeders and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC
> coupling is that we would lose PV monitoring and control.
>
> I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA
> systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the
> speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they
> leave me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that
> SA just shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, *what's
> the preferred combining method?* All that I can come up with is a custom
> 400a panelboard w/ three 200a breakers.
>
> Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this
> property (which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building
> something that is ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where
> the grid is no longer available.
>
> Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
>
> Michael
>
> --
>
> Michael Morningstar
>
>
> Morningstar Electric
>
> PO Box 1494
>
> Mount Shasta, CA 96067
>
> 530-921-0560
>
> mjmornings...@gmail.com
>
>
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> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
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>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
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Re: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches]

Michael

 

  Great questions. We have had great success with the Sol-Arks, starting with 
the 8’s. Have completed several with twin 15’s and the systems have been great. 
There was a software/ firmware issues when they first came out.

 

  Having spent years installing AC coupled systems ( thought they were great at 
the time ) the SA’s have made delivering power so much better.

 

Thx

peter

 

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of 
Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 1:13 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Cc: Michael Morningstar 
Subject: [RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

 

I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We 
haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some 
questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.

 

Here's the existing infrastructure.

1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to various 
sub-panels on the property

2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator 

3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array. Feeder 
from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.

4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This could 
increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be occupied.

 

My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I looked 
into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is needed to 
prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during transfer. That 
left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4 or more XWPROs?

 

Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in having 
anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty weathered 
taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are mounted to one of 
the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull out the 4/0 feeders 
and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC coupling is that we would lose 
PV monitoring and control.

 

I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA 
systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the 
speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they leave 
me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that SA just 
shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, what's the preferred 
combining method? All that I can come up with is a custom 400a panelboard w/ 
three 200a breakers. 

 

Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this property 
(which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building something that is 
ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where the grid is no longer 
available.

 

Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.

 

Michael

 

-- 

Michael Morningstar

 

Morningstar Electric

PO Box 1494

Mount Shasta, CA 96067

530-921-0560

mjmornings...@gmail.com  



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[RE-wrenches] GT w/ BB

[Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches]

I've been asked to build a back up system for a grid connected estate. We
haven't done many of these and I thought it best to ask those who have some
questions before I go about reinventing the wheel.

Here's the existing infrastructure.
1) 400amp Metered Main Distribution Panel with six 200amp feeders to
various sub-panels on the property
2) 400amp ATS and 100kw Kohler rapid response generator
3) 20kw ground mount array with (2) SE Inverters located at the array.
Feeder from array is 1,000 ft to Service. Six years old and wiring is janky.
4) Data logging for the last year shows peak demands of almost 40kw. This
could increase as several of formerly vacant  guest residences could be
occupied.

My go to is almost always Schneider, however in this instance when I looked
into a quad stack, or more It seems like some type of controller is needed
to prevent imbalanced current passing through the relays during transfer.
That left me a bit concerned. Has anyone successfully stacked 4 or more
XWPROs?

Then there is the matter of AC or DC coupling? I really want no part in
having anything to do with SE. The inverters are already looking pretty
weathered taking the brunt of the prevailing winds and storms (they are
mounted to one of the ground mount poles). Seems like a great waste to pull
out the 4/0 feeders and replace strings. My other hesitancy with AC
coupling is that we would lose PV monitoring and control.

I've also considered Sol Ark 15's, like three of them. We've got some SA
systems under are belt now and the only thing I can say that I like is the
speed of installation and the 200amp pass through. Other than that, they
leave me uninspired. One very large system continues to have glitches that
SA just shrugs their shoulders about. If we were to do three 15's, *what's
the preferred combining method?* All that I can come up with is a custom
400a panelboard w/ three 200a breakers.

Price is not a consideration for this project. The new owners of this
property (which is plagued with outages) have tasked me with building
something that is ultra reliable and good take over in a situation where
the grid is no longer available.

Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.

Michael

-- 

Michael Morningstar


Morningstar Electric

PO Box 1494

Mount Shasta, CA 96067

530-921-0560

mjmornings...@gmail.com
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