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XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1 to nunya

Premium Member

to nunya

Re: [Green Tech] Solar panels: doing the math...

Technical question: can solar panels be disconnected from a home's electrical system in order for a portable generator to provide emergency power? I have a whole-house portable generator setup to backfeed my panel via an interlock kit. I know solar panels are set to somehow disconnect when POCO power goes down. But can they be disconnected in addition to disconnecting POCO power so as to isolate the generator feeding emergency power to a house?

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine

Member

said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

Technical question: can solar panels be disconnected from a home's electrical system in order for a portable generator to provide emergency power? I have a whole-house portable generator setup to backfeed my panel via an interlock kit. I know solar panels are set to somehow disconnect when POCO power goes down. But can they be disconnected in addition to disconnecting POCO power so as to isolate the generator feeding emergency power to a house?

That's something I've wondered about. My guess is that since there is the chance of islanding and damage to your generator they wouldn't allow it.
ke4pym
Premium Member
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC

1 edit

ke4pym to XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

to XXXXXXXXXXX1
said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

Technical question: can solar panels be disconnected from a home's electrical system in order for a portable generator to provide emergency power? I have a whole-house portable generator setup to backfeed my panel via an interlock kit. I know solar panels are set to somehow disconnect when POCO power goes down. But can they be disconnected in addition to disconnecting POCO power so as to isolate the generator feeding emergency power to a house?

My install has 3 opportunities to disconnect the array from the grid.

There's a dual breaker in my load center. There's a lock-out-tag-out throw switch next to the meter outside and there's another dual breaker in an external load center next to said switch and meter.

It would be a very good idea to disconnect the array prior to energizing your home from the portable generator. Portable gen sets aren't world renowned for their power output quality. And your inverters will probably struggle to keep up with it.

You may want to read over the thread I created when my project started. It is here (pictures start on page 4):
»I've gone and done it ... solar install
XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

I'm looking over your thread with pics now. If I am understanding this correctly, you are back feeding your panel with solar power through a backfed breaker. If that breaker were opened (off), and my interlock was off (shutting off POCO power), I could then hookup my generator and safely use it to provide emergency power. That works for me.
ke4pym
Premium Member
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC

ke4pym

Premium Member

I'll just turn the breaker off on the indoor load center for the array. Then commence with firein' up the generator.

But it certainly wouldn't hurt to turn them all off.