Solar 3 phase system install

[Busman]

I want that security, we have the ability to host 40 for dinner so lots of lights, fridges, cooking etc, So yes I want that backup ability.
The small system is simply to generate income enough to cover service fee, cannot avoid in Qld as you would be fighting Anna and her mob who still owns the wires and poles.
However they want to do a single phase 5Kw system feed in, I have asked how that will work when I switch to the grid, heard nothing since.
Few shonks that do not know too much in this business I reckon.

[T1 Terry]

I want that security, we have the ability to host 40 for dinner so lots of lights, fridges, cooking etc, So yes I want that backup ability.
The small system is simply to generate income enough to cover service fee, cannot avoid in Qld as you would be fighting Anna and her mob who still owns the wires and poles.
However they want to do a single phase 5Kw system feed in, I have asked how that will work when I switch to the grid, heard nothing since.
Few shonks that do not know too much in this business I reckon.

Interesting, I know everyone is forced to pay for water and sewer if it passes their property, but as far as I understand it, no one can be forced to pay for the poles and wires etc if you are not connected to them ..... Worth further investigation ..... we have a potential job up that way taking a small farm type set up off the grid of long time friends and customers, Tom & Carmel.
I understand the security issues, a bit like range anxiety in an electric vehicle, it goes away once you realise it isn't really the problem first imagined. In your case, you will need a three phase switch back to grid, even if there is only a single phase feed in, so be sure the system installer understands that.
as a longer term security thing, a three phase gen set will get you over the grid security issues long term, the Victron inverters can share the load between the battery/inverter supply and the generators supply, so it isn't as hard on either electricity source when high demand is applied, they then switch back to battery charging when the load reduces to ensure you have enough battery to supply the next big load demand ... clever stuff that Victron gear ....

T1 Terry

[Busman]

The changeover 3 phase switch is already in place, with the size of the battery we have installed it will cover all but the most extreme situations, so it is simply not worth the purchase of a generator for a maybe once a year for a few hours scenario, much better just to walk to the main switchboard and flip the switch on the rare occasion it is needed. Generally cell voltage in the morning is about 3.2 v before solar charging starts. The inverters are out of registration with the CEC, seems Victron is tardy with forking up the bucks, so cannot be grid connected anyway.

It is setup as an off grid system, 3 x Multiplus doing the 240 and 400 generation only, with a 200 amp solar controller charging the battery. At this time of year with over 10Kw of panels, battery is full by 8:30 at the latest. With the changeover switch it is either grid power or off grid system doing the supply, nothing in between.
I am investigating a 5 Kw system just feeding back to the grid to cover the service fee which I think you will find is unavoidable, seems you can get STC's for more than one system at the one address.
However they want to talk about a single phase system, when I ask how that will work when I have switched to the grid, they seems to disappear, pity as a single phase system can be installed for $ 3200
Be aware that if you do any work in Qld, Anna has declared that solar can only be fitted by licenced sparkies, so you would need someone to sign off on it to get STC's if that was required.

[native pepper]

We have poles and wires going past our place and have never been asked to pay for anything, nor had the need to want to connect to the grid. It's all there, with a pole and meters on the property but never connected it when we arrived and after more than 25 years have never had anyone question us about grid connect.

Just upgraded my house from 700amp to 1250amp storage, upgraded the studio and it's being used more which takes a bit of power. Using induction cook tops saves a heap on energy compared to the old styles, but the electric oven is only used during the day when we have full sun. Dropped the gas cooking when bought some meters to check CO2 and carbon monoxide levels in the house and was shocked at how they went up when using gas. Luckily in winter have the combustion stove and that is wonderful to cook on for slow cooking and co2 and C monoxide levels are normal

[Busman]

Well we are in qld, not Tasmania so things are different here.
As far as induction goes, investigated it and the energy saving is simply not that great, especially if you want to go one of the new full induction tops with an integrated fan forced oven, which is quite high cost. So for now at least we will continue to use the antiquated electric range we have, thankfully the top and oven are on different phases which helps.
Have built a wood fiored oven (pizza type) and have an 8 burner gas fired BBQ on the deck, plus a 6 burner ccommercial gas range for the bigger cooks so most is pretty well covered.
I considered using the DC from a couple of panels to heat hot water as I do on VP but think a 3 phase element is an easier way to go. HWS is already on a timer.
Voltage most mornings is still at 3.2 volts per cell, so not taxing batteries at all.

[T1 Terry]

The changeover 3 phase switch is already in place, with the size of the battery we have installed it will cover all but the most extreme situations, so it is simply not worth the purchase of a generator for a maybe once a year for a few hours scenario, much better just to walk to the main switchboard and flip the switch on the rare occasion it is needed. Generally cell voltage in the morning is about 3.2 v before solar charging starts. The inverters are out of registration with the CEC, seems Victron is tardy with forking up the bucks, so cannot be grid connected anyway.

It is setup as an off grid system, 3 x Multiplus doing the 240 and 400 generation only, with a 200 amp solar controller charging the battery. At this time of year with over 10Kw of panels, battery is full by 8:30 at the latest. With the changeover switch it is either grid power or off grid system doing the supply, nothing in between.
I am investigating a 5 Kw system just feeding back to the grid to cover the service fee which I think you will find is unavoidable, seems you can get STC's for more than one system at the one address.
However they want to talk about a single phase system, when I ask how that will work when I have switched to the grid, they seems to disappear, pity as a single phase system can be installed for $ 3200
Be aware that if you do any work in Qld, Anna has declared that solar can only be fitted by licenced sparkies, so you would need someone to sign off on it to get STC's if that was required.

This is a nation wide requirement when connecting to the grid and the get STC's the installer also has to be a member of the "clean energy council" another govt based hand in the pocket or anyone going solar. The clean energy council installers will also only use new tier 1 equipment, nothing to do with quality and everything to do with maximum .... they like to call it accountability, but if the company hasn't paid up on their "certification" then they are deregistered as being a tier 1 supplier

The clean energy council along with the various electrical authorities have no derestriction over anything not connected to the grid. As long as the installer follows the standards, even the insurance people don't have a leg to stand on if anything goes wrong, negligence or poor workmanship would need to be proved in court and that requires a forensic investigator that knows the ins and outs of off grid systems ..... good luck finding anyone with that knowledge, then one that is a qualified investigator
It is logical to cover one's behind to have the 240vac and 415vac inspected and signed off by a qualified sparkie .. easy enough on a fix premises, not so easy when it comes to transportable premises, most don't even realise they have their own set of standards ..... something I'm doing battle with regarding this motorhome we are looking at buying ......

T1 Terry

[supersparky]

If any system is capable of being connected to the grid, then the relevant standards still apply. And the installer still has a duty of care, under the act. Almost all of the training companies will remind you of that, before any electrical course even starts.