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I recently completed installation of a 7.6Kw system on my roof here in Florida. Each panel has a 'micro-inverter' and there really is no other equipment required other than that required to put it back into the grid and metering. If I had known it would be this simple I would have done it a long time ago as our main consumption of electricity is for air conditioning which nicely coincides with the energy available via the sun.

If BEL would even do net metering and I could do an installation on our house in Belize I would do it in a heartbeat. It really is a 'no brainer' but when battery banks etc., enter into the equation it gets much more complicated.

IMHO = in my humble opinion

See Diane; I don't "text", what do I know?

@Shyboy

http://www.gaarde.org/acronyms/

AIIC..................................Just kidding.

Exactly the application I was considering for our place.I wonder if you could post the manufacturer of the panels you used and maybe describe how an internal micro inverter works when wiring several panels together in an array. Are they wired in series or parallel or does that even matter?..Is net metering reversing the meter readings when there is a surplus? Frankly if i could just supplement the electricity and use less BEL i'd still consider an array.

BUT.... Pagan advises that you CAN'T hook up to the meter.... That is why you need the battery system. Bear; my thought was exactly that: just slow down or reverse the meter... Looks like that won't work until BEL allows it... Next lifetime

We're going to try to get started on our conversion this coming December Dave. Hope you can fit us in!! Think Sam Adams. ;-)

There is essentially very little wiring. If you were to use a normal inverter you would have to wire in a series and then if one is malfunctioning is impacts the others. If you will send me a private email I will be happy to send you some more information. The panels are mono made by SolarWorld (in the US) Sunmodule Plus SW 285 with Enphase M250-IG. Email: [email protected]

Net metering is essentially the meter running backwards when you are producing more than you are using. It is a little more complicated than that but in essence that's it.

Shy, I'm not immediately convinced thats the case. I'm not looking to reverse the meter simply provide another source of juice after the meter but before the main breaker. It may be that the surplus doesn't reverse the meter, but it may be that one is not using as much metered juice. I guess the question that remains is: Is such a hook up allowed, or do they even know or care? If they're being paid for metered use why would they? Don't answer that!! lol I know..its Belize...

Assuming you're putting a battery system in to provide power during an outage (as opposed to coming off grid entirely) you'll still be plugging in after the meter and before your main. The application I'm interested in seems to be a common application in CA. I have a friend who does solar installations all over the state. I'll give him a call and ask how this works rather than barrage Captone Iron with emails. Its easier to talk than type, well for me anyway. I also certainly appreciate Pagan(Dave)'s input, the information about importation duties was an eye-opener. I'll be looking into that as well.

All this is still subject to the base decision about such an investment like when my roof top is subject to hurricane force winds.

CaptOneIron, thanks I'll check those systems out and again thanks for the clarification on terminology. I've got your email and look forward to corresponding once I get some more background.