PV Gurus?
 

I'm looking to fit a PV array on my garage roof. I'm happy with all aspects up to the company fuze and the local company does not need notification of grid below 4KwH.
I'm looking to do a 2Kw tracking system as a first step to going off grid. A water wheel in our stream is next.
The only part I'm not sure about is the ability to detect a power failure of the supply to the house and the ability to automatically disconnect from the mains in the event of a blackout. This would protect power workers downstream from the house.
Any advice gratefully received.
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CtL

You just need a dual grid-tie inverter.

Something like this...
http://www.schneider-electric.co.uk/...-conext-xw%2B/
Although you'll have to check if it's expandable for your future micro hydro.

I'm no guru, but its my understanding that the PV invertor that you will have to convert the PV panel DC current into AC needs the AC supply present in order to match the sine wave and produce the AC supply at the correct frequency.

If your mains goes out, so does its sine wave source so it should go dead.

It should have its own isolator etc for your own internal maintenance, but as for workers during a power outage, my understanding is that they should be fine.

Very cool, I really want to try this some day too. Let us know how you get on. It would be interesting to know about your set up, what sort of batteries you are going to use etc.

Did you manage to find cheap solar panels?

I'm not buying cheap panels. Only new bits I'm buying! All other parts are 2nd hand. I'll need a multi input grid tie inverter that can take multiple inputs, i.e. PV, water wheel, wind etc. I've found one of those but I need a switch that senses when the national grid fails and disconnects it. That way it continues to supply my house but won't electrocute the chap on the power pole out side. They exist I've read, just googling 'the device which stops electricity leaving the house during blackouts hasn't worked!

Is it a generator transfer switch you are after? I know nothing about them by the way :).

http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...ches/index.htm

It would be cool to see pics of your set up when its ready +++

I'm surprised the DNO does not require notification as any connection to the 'grid' (don't like the term. It means a connection 132kV and above to me) has to be G83 compliant. If you're not connecting it to your DNO supply then you can basically do what you want. I'm not sure why you want to connect it either. The FIT (feed in tariff) and price per unit hardly makes it worthwhile these days.

The inverter should already have means of isolating the supply for faults both on the DNO side and faults on the PV (loss of supply, ROCOF vector shift etc.)

The hydro scheme may cause you some issues as well as it's a roatating machine (generator) and may require G59/3 protection if you're going to connect it to the 'grid' depending on its size.

It's been a while since I've done one of these so I'll confirm some details tomorrow and let you know.

I'd personally increase your PV size and look at a battery storage solution instead.

It's what I'll be looking at in the future when the battery costs come down a bit.

Cheers

Surely the matey up the pole should check nothing is live himself before licking his fingers and grabbing wires? Just put a big plug on the upstream side and if you hear a big burhhh and a a guy falling out the sky just unplug and play ignorant +++