veloman said:
I have the inverter, PV panels or wind turbine. How much would it typically cost to have an electrician make the connection from the inverter to the house 120vac? I have no idea if its $200 or 2000.
Hey veloman:
I've also put out requests for quotes to tie in my own solar panels and grid-tie inverters to my home circuits. Let me tell you what I ended up with:
Electrician:
The "wrong ones" quoted me insane prices over $1000. I did get one $2200 quote ONLY FOR THE INTERTIE WIRING, just like you are asking for. Those guys are trying to make you go away, you granola-eating hippie! :lol: :lol: :lol:
The "right ones" quoted me $200-$500 depending on the parts they perceived were needed. THAT is the order of magnitude of work you are looking for from a licensed electrician.
Some Detail:
1) If you use plain panels and choose grid-tie microinverters (I like Enphase, but I've not bought yet so it could be anything):
http://www.altestore.com/store/Inverters/Micro-Inverters/Enphase-Energy-215-Watt-Micro-Inverter-with-Integrated-Ground-H4MC4-Compatible/p11248/
Then you end up, as you properly surmise, holding a cord that's carrying split-phase 208/220V US power.
2) You will need conduit to an AC cutout box and from the cutout box, you will wire into a 240V breaker position on either your one main panel or your whole-house "sub panel" near the meter base. That's really not much stuff and $200-$500 is about the range of cost we're talking about.
3) There was prior mention of a permit. Two kinds. A construction permit if it's a construction project. But if it's a "flagpole", then, no construction permit. The intertie with your home's AC service can (depending on municipality and local laws) require a permit as well.
4) You do need a pre-energizing inspection by an electrical inspector and the power company. You can get the deets on this by calling your local power supplier. In my case, they require the pre-energizing inspection and will also make me pay $3/month to install a bi-directional net meter. (basstaads!)
I must recommend these websites to you:
My solar porn. Not sure if I'll ever buy from them but the pitchers shure is purty!
http://www.altestore.com
Got a question? Ask Gary, he's either done it or found someone who has!
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/PV/EnphasePV/Wiring.htm
I go to this website when I'm feeling like I'll NEVER get solar installed and it cheers me up, gives me hope. Gary's got the answers, man.
Don't know much about these guys but I like their optimism and qualifications:
http://open4energy.com/forum/solar/eaw/solarman_guide_to_home_diy_solar_energy
There IS this thing:
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/14/plug-solar-panel-kit-truly-diy/
But I don't know what grid-tie inverter they are using that generates only 120v single-phase and those goobers don't tell you. I'm not at all sure any power company would "approve" this, but if you wanted to go guerrilla, that would be one way to do it. I've pondered going this route for TESTING only, to see what kind of dent one or two panels could make, but not as a final solution. I believe in the necessity of the A/C cutout. (and BTW: I think this is the thing LFP is talking about above. If you can get these inverters off ebay, they might be worth a try...just ensure they shut off if the power goes out....)
ONE CAUTION: injecting single-phase 120v into your home circuits could damage 240v split-phase devices if you lose power. The 120v inverter has to shut off, fast, when power is disconnected or it could burn up the motors in air handlers, compressors or other 240v light equipment.