See What the Sun’s Free Energy Can Do For Your Life®
Emergency Solar
Backup Power Packages
Turnaround
Only 3-5 Business Days
Line Drawing
w/ Each Solar Kit
Hey, do you want to be prepared for any power outage that might happen? If so, you should consider getting an emergency solar power system for your home. This is a great way to harness the sun's energy and turn it into electricity that you can use for your essential devices and appliances. You don't have to worry about running out of gas or dealing with noisy generators. All you need is a solar panel, a battery, and an inverter to make your own backup power station. Here's how it works: The solar panel collects sunlight and converts it into direct current (DC) electricity. The battery stores the electricity for later use. The inverter changes the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity that you can use for your home. You can connect your solar power system to your main electrical panel or use it as a standalone unit. Either way, you'll have a reliable source of power that can keep you going until the grid comes back online. Isn't that awesome?
Just because something can be done doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to be done. A battery backup element is going to add to the cost of a solar system, so you should make sure that it's worth it. The cost for a modest (approximately 4kW) sealed battery pack that will keep a typical family home running in emergency mode with minimal critial load power will start at between $9,000 - $14,500. That price quickly rises as the size increases. The hard-nosed financial question, is it worth the cost of a battery backup to keep the lights on during an occasional garden-variety power outage that lasts just a few hours. If not, we heartily recommend the standard blackout kit: A candle, a bottle of wine and a friend. You'll be fine.
A load analysis, which is a detailed list of everything you expect to power in your home during a blackout, is a critical part of your backup design. For each load, the expected power consumption and hours of use are listed and totaled for one day. There are no one-size-fits-all solution for backup power systems. Each emergency solar backup system is uniquely designed to its site, loads, budget, and the personal lifestyle of the homes occupants. OK, with that out of the way, we have some work to do before you can select the right emergency solar backup power system.
To begin the process of sizing your solar
system you first need to pull your most recent 12 months utility bills and record the kWh from each month. Then take the total of the
12 months kWh then ÷ by 365 to get your daily average usage. This number is critical to begin the process for a grid-tie system. Don't have 12 months worth of history? Then average
what you do have or if you are moving into a different house use the bills from your current home to get an idea of your energy
usage.
You can usually find the kWh near the top of the first page of you utility bills. An alternative method would be to go on line and down load the information or call your local utility company to find out your most recent 12 months total.
Sizing an emergency backup system for your home begins with a goal that is personal to your home, your lifestyle, motivation and budget. Start by asking yourself a few simple questions. How often does the utility power go down at my home and how long do the power outages last. For my lifestyle, what is important for my family to have access to when the grid goes down? Refrigerator? Well pump? Sump Pump? Lighting? Now ask yourself what is my budget for accomplishing my goals? Get some general ideas on what you want to power and how much you want to spend?
We talk to hundreds of people a day across the country and often the first thing we hear when we say we need to see how much sun is available in their area is "we have lots of sun so
that should not be a problem". The fact is that when sizing a kit, it is not how much sun you have, it is how much sun strikes the earth in your zip code which can sometimes
surprise customers. Little considered factors such an high humidity and elevation can play a key role. Example; most of Texas and Florida have latitudes that are farther south than Arizona but
have less "sun-hours per day" because Texas and Florida have higher humidity levels and more cloud cover.
The 2nd step in the design process is to look and see what the average amount of solar irradiance is available near your area from our resource map. Find the nearest city to your home and write down the average "sun-hours per day".
Mounting your system on the roof, ground or top of a pole; budget, roof dimensions, ground space or setbacks, shading and other site-specific factors call for careful consideration in your design. Compare the sizing results from your calculations in steps 1, 2 and 3 with the location and amount of space available to mount the solar array in order to get a rough idea of the maximum of panels. If you are planning to mount your array on a roof, decide which module best fits into the available roof space, taking into consideration obstructions such as chimneys, plumbing vents and skylights. Many local building codes will not allow a solar system to extend beyond the perimeter of the outside of the house footprint. (You may not be able to utilize your roof overhang or eaves.) A good place to start is to check with your local building department to see what their setback rules are for either a roof or ground mount array.
TIP; Mount your solar panels with at least a 7 degree tilt to avoid "Mud Shading". That's when dirty water washed off the solar panels accumulates across the bottom cells of the panel dammed by the panel frame. When the water dries, the dirt or mud builds up across the bottom which can shade the entire row of lower solar cells on each solar panel.
In most areas of the country you will be required to enter into a "interconnect agreement" with
your local utility company. This is a simple form that lets them know you will be producing some of your electricity at your location and the equpment you are proposing is UL listed and approved. Just go to your local utility website to download
the document or call your local utility customer service line and have them send one to you.
Wire carries electricity in much the same way as a garden hose carries water. When you turn on a breaker, a electron flows in one direction and knocks another electron which knocks another one until eventually an electron comes out the other end. Voltage is the electrical pressure behind the flow of current or electrons. Current, which is measured in amps, is the measure of quantity of electrons flowing through a wire. The higher the voltage the more current the source can produce. Watts are the measure of power. Volts X Amps = Watts.
Current can be increased by increasing the voltage or by lowering the resistance (IE: Size of Wire or Conductor).
Resistance is the inherent physical opposite to current flow. A good analogy would be to think of it as a dam holding back water. Resistance is created by electrons refusing to be stripped of their atoms and bumped or sent down the wire. The higher the resistance in the wire, the less current will flow. The only way to overcome that resistance, is to increase the pressure (volts) or decrease the resistance (Larger Wire).
National Electrical Code (NEC) 690.64 does not specifically require an AC disconnect however, many if not most utility companies like to have a lockable blade disconnect to protect line workers and fire department officials. An AC disconnect is more likely to be required if the inverter is not close to the main service panel. If an AC disconnect is required, is should not need to be fused unless it is the primary disconnect for the line side connection.
Arrh... power baby, make that meter turn backwards! This is where it all comes together. Your homes main service panel is the heart of your electrical system and how we connect the solar system to this panel using what option is the key to everything we have done so far in the design planning.
Load side connection occurs on the load side of the Main Service Disconnect Breakers via a breaker on the Main Service Panel Busbar. Line side connection occurs between the Utility Meter the Main Service Disconnect Breaker.
Here is why that is important to understand the difference. Before we can go any further in the final connection or exactly where we are going to connect we need to know one rule that we call a biggie in the solar industry. National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 690.64 says that the sum of the rated current for the solar breaker and main breaker amp rating cannot exceed 120% of the bus bar’s rating of the Main Service Panel Busbar Rating
Example: The main service entrance (MSE) breaker box is listed as a 200A bus/200A Main breaker. That means if you have a 200 amp main service panel which is rated for a with a 200 amp buss bar, NEC will only allow a 20% back feed breaker to be added to a 200 amp panel or 40 amp solar breaker. If the size of your system requires a 60A OCPD, this exceeds the maximum allowable backfed current for a load side connection for the given MSE specifications (max. allowable for this service entrance = 40A). To go above that 40 amp back feed solar breaker there are several alternative
One alternative to consider without having to replace your main breaker panel would be to decrease the size of the main buss bar. By lowering a 200 amp main breaker to 150 amps may bring your in compliance if you have to go to a 60 amp backfeed breaker for your solar system. However, before you do that a careful study by a licensed electrician should be conducted to make sure you will not stress the breaker with your existing loads.
On a grid-tie solar system when the utility goes down, the solar system will also
go down. What many homeowners fail to realize when they purchase a standard grid tied system is when the grid goes down, so does the power being produced by the solar panels. Why? The IEEE-1547 standard requires that grid-tie inverters cease to
export power (Means your meter spinning backwards) if the voltage measured at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) (That mean your homes electric service meter) exceeds +10% or -12% of nominal. If that were not the case, there could be a utility worker
in front of your home who thinks the electricity is off and become injured.
Another alternative is to consider a line side connection. A line side connection or supply-side connections means the connection between the utility company meter and your main breaker box. If you have no room in your existing service panel to add your solar system, see if the number of breakers in your main breaker box can be reduced or consider upgrading the service panel. A line side connection requires a fused blade AC disconnect. If that is required and the solar kit you select states that we will supply the AC disconnect, we will provide the upgrade to a fused AC 60 amp disconnect at no additional cost to you.
You should not be overly concerned with how or what type of final connection, wire and breaker size because we do the heavy lifting for you. When you make a purchase over $1,000 for a kit, your order gets assigned to your own personal Solar Consultant. Our System Integrators provide polished technical advice on the design and execution of all types of installations. This single point of contact, who is already familiar with your project, is your free life line to answer your questions and help walk you through any obstacles you might incur during the process.
Included with your grid tie package is a full "Instructive Three-Line Diagram of Entire DC Circuit, as Well as AC Lines to Your Metered Service Entrance". When you buy a grid-tie kit from Blue Pacific Solar, we supply a custom electrical line drawing that shows you exactly how to connect everything. We will specify on our drawing what size and type of wire and breaker you will need to be NEC code compliant. The line drawing can be used for your interconnect agreement application with your local utility company and for your permit with the local authority having jurisdiction commonly referred to as AHJ (Building Department). If you need help with your full permit documents for your local AHJ anywhere in the country, our permit document service is available to help take the hassle out of your solar purchase.
We often get asked about running wiring in the attics
and if it has to be in conduit. With NEC 2011 (National Electric Code), this just got easier. While the industry has rightly focused on 690.11 Arc Fault Circuit Protection, there was a lesser known change
regarding running DC wiring inside the building. Section 690.31(E) changed the requirements for running DC inside of a building to enable the use of Metal-clad cable for DC solar source or output circuits.
The Metal clad cable needs to comply with 250.118(10) but will enable customers installing wiring an easier alternative to bending conduit in tight spaces.
The Sol-Ark inverters can be used as a grid solar power inverter with or without a off grid solar battery, or as an off grid inverter. The inverters feature Grid-Sell without batteries; Grid-Sell with battery backup; Grid-tied with Zero Export with or without storage. You can even hook up your generater to these solar kits. Get kit off grid solar power solar energy battery storage system . Do you need a battery monitor
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![]() 345W Panel Kit |
Item # | # Solar Panels | Monthly Watts @ 5 Sun Hours / Day STC* |
Voltage DC (Battery) / AC |
Price before 26% Federal Tax Credit or Local Incentives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.5 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
3.5 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-3450 | 10 - 345 Watt | 518 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
4.1 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
4.1 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-4140 | 12 - 345 Watt | 621 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
4.8 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
4.8 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-4830 | 14 - 345 Watt | 725 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
5.5 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
5.5 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-5520 | 16 - 345 Watt | 828 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
6.2 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
6.2 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-6210 | 18 - 345 Watt | 931 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
6.9 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
6.9 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-6900 | 20 - 345 Watt | 1035 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
7.6 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
7.6 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-7590 | 22 - 345 Watt | 1138 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
8.3 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
8.3 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-8280 | 24 - 345 Watt | 1242 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
9 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
9 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-8970 | 26 - 345 Watt | 1325 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
9.6 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
9.6 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-9660 | 28 - 345 Watt | 1449 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
10.3 Sol -Ark Click Here for Info |
10.3 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-10350 | 30 - 345 Watt | 1552 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
11 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
11 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-11040 | 32 - 345 Watt | 1656 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
11.7 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
11.7 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-11730 | 34 - 345 Watt | 1759 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
12.4 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
12.4 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-12420 | 36 - 345 Watt | 1863 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
13 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
13 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-13110 | 38 - 345 Watt | 1966 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
13.8 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
13.8 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-13800 | 40 - 345 Watt | 2070 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
14.5 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
14.5 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-14490 | 42 - 345 Watt | 2173 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
15 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
15 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-15180 | 44 - 345 Watt | 2277 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
15.9 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
15.9 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-15870 | 46 - 345 Watt | 2380 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
|
16.5 kW Sol-Ark Click Here for Info |
16.5 kW Kit |
SA-MI-345-16560 | 48 - 345 Watt | 2484 kW | 48 VDC / 120/240 VAC |
When a solar panel is even slightly shaded, it is severely impacted.
For example, the module shown to the right has 2% of its cell area shaded. The power output of the panel is reduced by 33%, a 17:1 impact factor! This is true even if a microinverter or power-optimizer is used. Squeeze every watt of power out of your solar system. Look out for even small shade factors like overhead power lines or vent pipes in roofs.
The MidNite Magnum 10.7 kW Home or Business Backup Power kit can be used for modest backup power applications in a permanent location that normally uses utility power, such as a home or office. When utility power is available, the inverter keeps the batteries charged. When the utility power fails, the inverter comes on automatically to supply AC power to your home or office backup load panel during the power failure. For a home or business, reliable backup power is needed to prevent lost computer data, or to maintain lights and keep food fresh in the refrigerator/freezer.
We supply the items on the detail pages listed "What's On The Truck". The solar kit takes the PV wire to the edge of the array (Or Sub-Array) where the transition is usually made to conduit. Here are some additional items that you may need from your local hardware store. The remaining balance of system (BOS) components can be; Conduit, appropriately sized electrical wire from the array, some fasteners, sealant, grounding rod, junction box at the edge of the array where you will make the transition to conduit, an AC combiner box if you have more than one string and a AC disconnect within 10' of the main panel which may be required in some local jurisdictions. No worries on the sizing and type of wire because we specify the size and type of wire with the line drawing supplied with each kit. These items are readily available at your local hardware store. How much can you expect to spend? That depends on the size of the system and other individual site specific variances, but we consistently hear from customers for a 3kW - 5kW kit is about $250 - $300 for these locally sourced hardware components. The custom line drawing we supply with each kit is a full instructive three-line diagram of entire DC circuit, as well as AC lines to your metered service entrance.
Line drawing questions or just stuck? No worries we have your back and will be here to help whenever you have questions about your purchased kit or plans. For orders larger than $2,000.00 a Technical Sales Team Group Captain will be assigned your account. Your Technical Advisors job is to coordinate all parts and pieces of your order and to work with you throughout the process. This support helps because we will be providing you with a single contact point to call with your questions. Your technical support contact does not replace the maufactures warranty technical support. DIY means you accept the responsiblity of reading and following the plans and other installation documents prior to tackling the installation.
*STC - To learn more about solar panels and how they are measured you need to know what STC stands for. STC in an acronym for "Standard Test Conditions". All solar panels are rated in watts. The watt rating is how much power the panel will produce in full sunlight at 25 degrees C (77F). This is the industry standard (STC) for all PV panel ratings (PV means Photovoltaic which is a fancy word for solar). Solar panel manufactures have long used this test standard which is 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 1.5 Air Mass and a 25 degrees Celsius cell temperature.
PTC is an acronym for "PV-USA". The PV-USA test conditions were developed at the PV USA test site at the University of Davis, California for standards established by the California Energy Commission that are considered closer to real world conditions (Real World Vs. STC factory test conditions). The PTC rating test is 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 1.5 Air Mass, and 20 degrees C ambient temperature at 10 meters above ground level and wind speed of 1 meter per second. In California, solar panels manufactures must be tested and rated independently at the PV USA test facility at the University of Davis (CA) to be considered for rebates.
NOTE: Neither PTC nor STC account for "real-world" losses. Actual solar systems will produce lower outputs due to soiling, shading, module mismatch, wire losses, inverter and transformer losses, shortfalls in actual nameplate ratings, panel degradation over time, and high-temperature losses. On the inverse, solar panels may out produce their rated power in cold high altitude locations.