| solar panels and sorta grid tied i wanted to run a pool pump off of solar panels. it is and above ground pool pump 1000 g /hr.
i was wondering if there is a way to run pump off of solar panels and when not enough sun run it off of grid tied outlet.
example plug pump into inverter and panels into inverter and plug inverter into outlet.
--
ummh union bad, ummh union bad, please tell me what else to regurgitate |
|
lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
 ·TekSavvy DSL
| said by i1me2ao:above ground pool pump 1000 g /hr ... when not enough sun run it off of grid tied outlet. I am guessing 1000 GPH flow rate will require about 1kWh electrical power with typical efficiency AC pumps.
You will need 8 large solar panels which are rated for 220-250W output under ideal conditions. The inverter should be at least 3000W and allow inductive loads. Ask your local solar distributor.
If cost is not a factor, there are more efficient permanent magnet brush-less DC pumps and you can use sufficient amp-hour battery bank to avoid using AC altogether. |
|
robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | reply to i1me2ao
I believe that you need to get permission from your utility if there is any interconnection. |
|
lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
| said by robbin:I believe that you need to get permission from your utility if there is any interconnection. My guess is that he meant an outdoor AC outlet will power the pump when the solar panels are not enough. If that guess is true, the outlet just needs to be NEC and local code compliant.  |
|
| said by lutful:My guess is that he meant an outdoor AC outlet will power the pump when the solar panels are not enough. If that guess is true, the outlet just needs to be NEC and local code compliant. And any device plugged into it needs to be listed as well. |
|
guppy_fishPremium
join:2003-12-09
Lakeland, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to i1me2ao
»www.lorentz.de/en/products/surfa···-cs.html
This is a solar powered pump with the controller, and it has an option to have the controller connected to 240vac as the backup
I'm pretty sure these sellers are re-selling the lorentz system
»www.sunrayus.com/
»www.fafcosolar.com/go-solar/solar-pool-pump/
In this video, its looks like the lorentz controller and pump
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZucQ83sPlE
Even with PV an 50 cents a watt www.sunelec.com , your looking at decades for break even on the costs |
|
ke4pymPremium
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC Reviews:
 ·VOIPo
 ·Verizon Broadban..
 ·RoadRunner Cable
·Northland Cable ..
| reply to i1me2ao
I would strongly recommend getting a grid-tie system. You may want to consider contacting a local solar installer who can guide you through the process. Generally, to connect to the grid, you're going to have to have the system professionally installed and inspected (you MUST have it professionally installed if you want the tax rebates).
Also, you should stay away from string inverters and go with micro-inverters (one inverter per panel). Micro-inverters give you a lot more flexibility in building the array and dealing with shading and/or growing the array.
Make the grid big enough and you can not only run your pump, but your whole house. My array is 5.62kW and, as of this writing, it is generating 4.71kW (the house normally consumes about 1-1.2kW at any given moment).
For the month of March, I produced 715kWh. That's not too shabby. And the tax rebate money is rolling in now.
See my other thread on the topic if you want more details about my array. |
|
|
|
| reply to lutful
well said and thanks for explaining what i was trying to say.
i could not find a switch ( assuming that is what it would be ). |
|
 leiboldPremium,MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
kudos:5
·SONIC.NET
| said by i1me2ao:i could not find a switch ( assuming that is what it would be ). They are called ATS (automatic transfer switch). The obvious thing to look for is a model that can handle the load of the motor (including startup currents) and that allows to give priority to one of the inputs (in your case the solar panel).
Less obvious but just as important are:
- sensitivity for detecting good/clean power (some ATS may not like inverter output power and therefore often or permanently switch to the utility grid).
- constraints on failover switching: the ATS I have at work will only failover if at the time of the power failure frequency and phase of the two power sources are identical (when phase or frequency drifts the failover is disabled). Such a restriction would not work for your scenario.
I agree with ke4pym  that a grid-tie solar panel may be the better option for you (unless utility power is very unreliable).
--
Got some spare cpu cycles ? Join Team Helix or Team Starfire! |
|
| grid is reliable, just wanted to see if i could do it. i have been playing around with a few micro solar pumps and some plug and play solar lights.
--
ummh union bad, ummh union bad, please tell me what else to regurgitate |
|
lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
| reply to i1me2ao
said by i1me2ao:i could not find a switch ( assuming that is what it would be ) Digikey and other US distributors sell the MeanWell TN-3000 which has everything you need in a single box to implement a complete system.
If you add sufficient wattage panels and batteries, the pump will be running mainly on solar power. But the system will use AC when necessary. |
|
 djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
kudos:1
·VOIPo
·Verizon Wireless..
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T U-Verse
·PHONE POWER
1 edit | reply to i1me2ao
The battery in the above diagram will take away from the system's efficiency, vs. a true grid-tie system. Charging/discharging losses can eat up 30% of your solar generation.
»www.aprs.org/off-grid-maybe.html
For a pool, you should look into solar heating. A simple maze of tubing can do the trick. See this DIY job:
»www.homeimprovement-inn.com/inve···eater-2/
--
AT&T U-Hearse - RIP Unlimited Internet 1995-2011
Rethink Billable.
|
|
lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
| reply to djrobx
Re: solar panels and sorta grid tied said by djrobx:The battery in the above diagram will take away from the system's efficiency Imagine power goes out in the middle of a heat wave to appreciate some battery backup for a "solar" pool pump. 
If you look at the diagram carefully, the pump is directly connected to the AC input through the internal transfer switch. Obviously you could bypass the battery/inverter path and run on AC power. |
|
| reply to robbin
/ |
|
TheMGPremium
join:2007-09-04
Canada
kudos:1 | reply to i1me2ao
A grid-tie system would be the most logical thing to do.
Even when the solar panels don't put out enough power to run the pool pump, they can still feed a few hundred watts back into the grid and offset some of your electricity costs, instead of sitting there doing absolutely nothing.
Also, if you run the pool pump at full speed 24/7, maybe consider running it on a timer instead for additional energy savings. It does not need to be running all the time. |
|
