After consultation with some LDCs ( Local Distribution Companies – the people that bill you for your home electricity ), I am able to explain the wiring of your home solar system. Your are referred to as a Generator by the OPA and LDC because you generate electricity that is fed into the grid.
There are 2 methods of connecting your solar generation facility to the power grid. Basically you can connect from inside your home after your power panel (called a series connection) or outside before your power panel (called a parallel connection).
In both cases the wiring will look similar to the following:
- From you inverter the AC power will feed to a disconnect box,
- From the disconnect box into the meter base (the LDC installs the meter into the base later),
- From the meter base the feed goes to a breaker in your panel (series connection) or to the main line before your meter outside your home (parallel connection).
There are some advantages and disadvantages of both connection types.
Series Connection:
- In a series connection (feeds into a breaker in your panel), the wiring is completed inside your home. The wiring can be completed by your electrician without power interruption, as the breaker is the final point of connection.
- A series connection requires that your existing meter be changed by your LDC as power will flow both ways through the meter. This adds about $1,000 to the LDC connection costs.
- Steps in a series connection:
- The electrician wires your solar generator into your panel
- The EPA inspects the installation and connection as prearranged by you. They sign off on the inspection if everything is completed correctly by the electrician.
- The LDC installs your generator meter and replaces your current home meter, then turns on the system (flips the breaker)
Parallel Connection
- A parallel connection is wired outside of your residence (feeds into your main line before your home meter)
- Steps in a parallel connection
- The electrician wires your solar generator up to the meter base.
- Your LDC turns off the power into your residence as prearranged by you.
- The electrician completes the wiring from the meter base into the main line coming to your residence before your home meter (the existing meter, which remains)
- The EPA inspects the installation and connection as prearranged by you. They sign off on the inspection if everything is completed correctly by the electrician.
- The LDC installs your generator meter and returns power to your residence.
- This complete process should be completed in a few hours as long as everything has been prepared and the ESA inspection and the LDC visits have been prearranged.
In a parallel connection, the wiring is done outside the home. It costs less (as it uses your current power meter) and should require less time of the electrician, as running the power lines outside the home, should be faster than feeding them inside.
The costs for this work are as follows:
- Electrican will vary by residence (TBD)
- ESA inspection $250
- LDC connection – parallel connection $5-600, series connection $1,500 - $1,600
- Wire, conduit, disconnect box, meter base (TBD)
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