<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word;line-break:after-white-space"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Ron:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">I apologize if I am underestimating your level of skill or experience. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. However from the extent of the questions you are asking, it seems like some solar design and vocational courses might be in order. Without a solid background, no one should be designing and installing electrical systems with any voltages greater than 50, AC or DC. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Below is my take on the subject of training. I apologize if I am on a bit of a rant, but I feel the subject gets overlooked.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">When I started in solar there were no training resources. As time passed a few became available: I took one of Bill Brooks\u2019 early 3 day courses in Sacramento. I went to a very bizarre lecture that John Wiles presented. There was an outfit called High Sun Engineering that had a multi-day course. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">I also went to every inverter manufacturer\u2019s 1-3 day course I could find including Outback\u2019s factory certification course. I went to every trade show I could get to. I read every manual and I kept the all of the solar equipment manufacturer\u2019s tech support numbers on speed dial. All of these are still valid methods to improve your knowledge.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">There are now many good training options. Community colleges offer courses. I never pursued the NABCEP training because there was never a job I failed to get or complete due to lack of that certification. I have reviewed the NABCEP training material and the curriculum seems very thorough.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">The industry is much more complicated now than it was in the mid-80s-- If back then someone had tried to explain AC coupling to me it would have blown my mind, as just one example. Further complicating the solar-electric industry is the evolution of the NEC, the rigors of permitting and improved safety protocols that have to be followed. Training is more important now than ever.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Here is another concept that I think applies to this mini-rant: Before one can become a skilled solar electrician one must first become a competent electrician. You need to know electrical theory, electrical and building codes, the hardware, practices and construction in general, particularly roofing. To become a solar designer, you have to have expertise in the above trades and have additional skills in math, spreadsheets, research and CAD.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Here is an option for those interested in getting started in the solar electric trade: Before I got my contractor\u2019s license I worked with a buddy that was licensed. I already had a few years as an apprentice and I had electronics training and experience. I brought the customers and the designs. My pal supervised the work and put his name on the permits. Eventually he signed for my hours and I got my own license.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">The bottom line is: I could not in good conscious coach someone on how to design any electrical system if I were not confident they were experienced enough to install the resulting system safely. The overriding principal is simple enough: electrical systems, when installed improperly, can kill.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">I mean no disrespect\u2026</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">William Miller</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Miller Solar</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">805-438-5600</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/"><span style="color:blue">www.millersolar.com</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">CA Lic. 773985</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Ron Young via RE-wrenches<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 12, 2022 7:42 PM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Cc:</b> Ron Young<br><b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark install</span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Hi Wrenches, trying to wrap my head around a first time Sol-Ark install. Because the max DC voltage is 500v at 18a and the PV I\u2019m using is 40v DC each I will have to create three strings each 480v. What would be the best choice for a home run wire? I\u2019ve always used smaller strings with micro inverters, a combiner at the array and a single Teck home run cable but the string inverter presents a different scenario and it looks like I\u2019ll need to use three home run cables, one for each string. </p><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Ron Young</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="color:black">earthRight Products - <a href="http://Solareagle.com">Solareagle.com</a><br>Alternative Energy Solutions ~ Renewable Energy Products<br><br></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>