grid tie with solar and inverters

[happycamperbrat]

Im getting serious about my electrical needs, and know it is going to be the big buck$ so Im trying to think this thru as much as my feeble mind lets me  

Does anyone here have solar panels with a grid tie inverter on their bus so that when the bus is at home you can connect to your home and grid.... but disconnect it from home/grid when otr in the bus?

edit: After some research on this subject, I think it would be better to just use the inverter inside the house and plug some stuff into it when the bus is at home..

[boogiethecat]

Be careful with grid tie inverters- these days the power companies are rapidly replacing all the nice old mechanical meters that will go backwards if you put solar energy into the grid- with fancy new electronic model meters that amazingly go only forward.

Here in San Diego if you don't sign up with the gas company and get officially permitted to use your grid tie system as a solar energy producer, the meters will CHARGE you for the power you put into the grid, at the same rate as if you were using it, because the meter only runs forward regardless of the direction of electrical flow.  It's all in the software of the meter! The meter also reports to the gas company every 15 minutes or so, so if they see energy being produced instead of used and you aren't on their records as a solar installation, you might get a knock on the door...

Most of the country is following this path, so if you tie in without being permitted, make sure your meter doesn't get you screwed!!

[belfert]

One other issue is that solar producers are currently paid retail rates for electricity.  No utility can cover their costs buying and selling electricity at the same rates.  As more folks sell power back to the utility expect to see wholesale rates paid instead of retail.

I would never hook up a grid tie inverter without notifiying the utility first.  A licensed electrician probably wouldn't hook it up before the utility was notified anyhow.

[thebusqman]

There are plenty of grid tie inverters out there, and 99% will only work if they detect power (ie if the power is out the inverter turns off for safety). 

You might look into if your state offers rebates or tax credits for an installation.  Most states require it is on a fixed structure and not things like motor homes, mobile homes, etc.

The things is without rebates or tax credits the solar power is going to take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to pay for itself.

I have done several large solar projects, so if you have anymore questions let me know.

[buswarrior]

No need to get fancy, or for those in grid-tie unfriendly jurisdictions:

A smaller scale "payback" for your solar/battery/inverter investment in the coach is to use the coach to wean loads off the grid while the coach is parked at home.

For instance, your refrigerator and/or freezer, two of the biggest power consumers in the house.

Much easier to justify the system you desire, if it can pay for itself to some degree?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[happycamperbrat]

I totally agree BW! Run an extension cord from the bus to the house and plug in whatever the cord/inverter/system will handle. Make the expense of the boondocking system pay extra duty by powering as many appliances as you can at home. It is just an extra expense to buy a grid tie that isnt needed.