SolarDIY

Currently the best hybrid inverter has got to be the EG4 18KPV Inverter with the Sol-Ark 15K coming in second only due to the $2,600 price difference. Both of these inverters can do it all. They are relatively easy to install, can be used with a small system and can scale up to handle a 200 amp system with as little as three units (you can start with one and two would cover most consumers needs), have small idle consumption, and can be setup in a variety of ways. If you are looking to DIY a system, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these units.

• https://eg4electronics.com
• https://www.sol-ark.com

Some people are terrified by electricity. I am guessing few in this community fall into that category. What makes you comfortable working with solar systems? For me, my father was an electrical engineer and I learned a lot from watching and helping him run new power and phone outlets. There wasn't anything he was scared of pulling apart to try and fix. I think the first outlet drops I installed in a wall were BNC coax drops in an apartment I was renting. I did take some computer architecture classes at university that formally introduced me to electricity and circuits, later I ended up taking some electrical courses, reading home improvement books, and lots of online videos. I guess I could also look back at the stereo installs I was involved in as a youth for myself and friends.

Are there any Din Rail Ampere Meters that don't require AC power to run? I currently have a shunt in my system that monitors the DC power coming in from my panels. I am about to upgrade my inverter to a smarter one and I will no longer need the shunt. But when looking around, I found some Din Rail ampere meters for AC and thought it would be nice to put something like that next to my DC circuit breaker near my panels. However, every one I have found appears to require AC power.

Here is my example for a starter system you can pick up to learn more about solar installations:

• 2 to 4 [Renogy] 100-watt 12-volt solar panels
• DC Circuit Breaker, 2 Pole 16 Amp Isolator ($16)
• A [Y&H] 1000W DC30-45V Grid Tie Inverter (less than $150)
• A MC4 Solar Crimping Tool with connectors ($25)
• A Ferrule Crimping Tool Kit ($30)
• Some MC4 Y Branch Parallel Adapter ($15)
• Some appropriate sized wire.
• Digital Clamp Multimeter
• Optionally A Electricity Usage Monitor such as a [Kill-O-Watt]
• Optionally a [Bayite] shunt/power meter to monitor your panels
• Optional Rail Power Distribution Enclosure ($30)

This isn't the most efficient system but it will give you enough of a challenge to start with, some tools you can use moving forward, allow you to begin generating power, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I put the usage meters as optional but really you should have something that allows you to monitor usage in real time.

Run two of the solar panels in series (24 volts) and the two series in parallel (around 10 amps). From here you can add more panels, upgrade the inverter, experiment with mounting systems and angles, and finally (after an inverter upgrade) add batteries.

Here are some useful links for calculating wire runs...

-http://assets.bluesea.com/files/resources/newsletter/images/DC_wire_selection_chartlg.jpg -https://www.southwire.com/calculator-vdrop--