From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "Richard Nelson"  wrote in message   
   news:2jh3mdp1j8tf5p99qbmim3ntcsd16n962r@4ax.com...   
   > On Wed, 1 Aug 2018 10:07:14 -0400, "Jim Wilkins"   
   >  wrote:   
   >   
   >>"Richard Nelson"  wrote in message   
   >>news:2jc3md97ffnt3q2n1qiilapdscs39nffh1@4ax.com...   
   >>>I would like to design and install my own 10 - 15 kW PV, grid-tied,   
   >>> ground mounted, system in southern California.   
   >>>   
   >>> Can anyone recommend some good reading material to start with?   
   >>   
   >>The solar part is simple, the electrical not so much. Do you have   
   >>any   
   >>electrical engineering training or experience as an electrician?   
   >>   
   >   
   > Yes, a B.Sc.EE.  I fully understand the technology, I need practical   
   > knowledge about the actual installation process.  Do you have   
   > specific   
   > reading recommendations?   
      
   I followed my experience as an industrial electrician and then   
   designer / builder of custom test equipment. My system isn't grid tied   
   so I didn't look for a book on that. You avoid a lot by not having to   
   manage batteries.   
      
    The grid tie controller's instruction manual should be a good start,   
   assuming you are up to date on wiring practices and the power company   
   will permit a connection to non-licenced work. I watched a Solar City   
   grid tie installation and read the manual but it was too much to fully   
   absorb before they finished. The NEC and local code and the inspector   
   are the final determinants   
      
   If the array is on your roof it may need structural reinforcement to   
   return it to code requirements.   
      
   Around here the solar companies are no help to do-it-yourselfers. The   
   owner of one told me they don't sell used or cosmetic reject panels,   
   then described how he built a personal-use system like mine from them   
   for 1/10 of the installed system price.   
      
   This is a pretty good deal, with free home delivery:   
   https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-100-Watt-Polycrystalline   
   Solar-Panel-for-RV-s-Boats-and-12-Volt-Systems-GS-Star-100W/204211365   
   They are 36 cell panels good for 12V or 24V lead-acids with PWM   
   controllers, I don't know how they would do as a high voltage series   
   string with an MPPT controller. They handle partial tree trunk shading   
   pretty well. If your array can be partially shaded there are   
   distributed MPPT and inverter topologies that increase output, and   
   initial investment.   
      
   The MC4 connector pin requires a barrel crimp tool, I used an Anderson   
   Powerpole crimper. If you solder it don't let the solder run to the   
   back end of the crimp or the wire will become brittle from the   
   concentration of bending stresses.   
      
   -jsw   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)