[RE-wrenches] Solar Ready Service Panel vs adding Supply Side connection?

[Jeff Clearwater]

Hey William,

That exact unit is actually where I started this journey but PG&E will not accept that Solarready residential unit because it’s a commercial account and anything over 200 A in a commercial account requires a CT cabinet. So to avoid CTs we need to separate out the 200 amp meter socket.

I could feed that unit with 200 Amos after a 200 A Meter\Main but the combined cost would be high. 
Best,

Jeff

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 23, 2019, at 10:59 AM, William Miller <william at millersolar.com> wrote:
> 
> Jeff:
>  
> Would a class 320, solar-ready, meter/main combo be approved for this commercial application?  Here is a link to a product we have used in residential applications.  It offers through-the-jaws metering at 400 amps peak, 320 amps continuous.
>  
> William
>  
>  
> Miller Solar
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
> 805-438-5600
> www.millersolar.com
> CA Lic. 773985
>  
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Clearwater
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 9:11 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SolarReady Service Panel vs adding Supply Side connection?
>  
> Hey Jay,
> 
> Yes so you were on to it - but with the addition of having that downstream of a separate 200 AMP meter box and 200 A Main that works :)  Otherwise PG&E would call it a 400 Amp service which for commercial accounts means having to have CTs for the metering.
> 
> Thanks!,
> 
> Jeff
> 
> Jay wrote on 10/17/19 3:38 PM:
> 
> 
> What about installing a 200 amp breaker in the 400 amp buss box?  
>  
> We talk a lot about doing it for smaller boxes, is there a reason it won’t work here?
>  
> Jay
> Peltz power
> 
> 
> On Oct 17, 2019, at 1:30 PM, Glenn Burt <Glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Jeff,
>  
> Seems to me if allowed in your jurisdiction, you might be best served by installing a new 200A fused service disconnect ahead of the existing main service panel. Or even a 400A one to allow for additional work inside (CT’s), then perform a supply side connection in it. Some manufacturers of switchgear have an option for lugs that accept multiple conductors, so no piercing of conductors needs to happen.
>  
> Good luck,
> Glenn
>  
> From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Jeff Clearwater
> Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2019 3:20 PM
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] SolarReady Service Panel vs adding Supply Side connection?
>  
> Esteemed Wrenches,
> 
> I am in need of changing out an existing 200 Amp service entrance in order to accommodate a bus capable of handling a a 200 Amp Solar backfeed (41 KW system) .  
> 
> PG&E is upgrading the transformer to handle the backfeed but when I proposed a Siemens SolarReady 400 Amp service entrance they couldn't approve it cause since the building is a shop - they classify it as commercial and require a panel that can handle CTs when there is a 400 Amp service involved.
> 
> Anyone else faced with this have solutions?  What is the cheapest equipment I can provide to satisfy all requirements?
> 
> We don't need to upgrade the existing 200 amp service entrance equipment for load purposes - only to meet the bus requirements of backfeed.
> 
> Would it be cheaper and easier to use the existing (or new) 200 Amp residential panel - not call it a 400 Amp upgrade but simply add a 200 Amp Supply Side Connection?  Suggested equipment to do that in the most economical manner?
> 
> Any help well appreciated!
> 
> Jeff 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~
> Jeff Clearwater
> Village Power Design
> linkedin 
> www.villagepowerdesign.com
> cell - 413-559-9763
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
> 
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> 
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
> 
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> 
> Check out or update participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>  
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>  
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>  
> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>  
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>  
> Check out or update participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>  
>  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.re-wrenches.org/attachments/20191023/86c74281/attachment.htm>