Can Two Separate Solar Systems Combine in One Panel ?

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Lysdexicuss
Lysdexicuss Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Newbie, trying to create 240 to power Water-Heater along with four to five 20 amp circuits

First array = Six 100 watt panels, Aims 80 amp MPPT, Aims 3500 watt inverter, 200 ah lifepo4

Second array = Two 200 watt panels, Renogy 40 amp MPPT, Renogy 2000 watt inverter, 200 ah lifepo4

Combining everything in a 125 amp Seimens Panel, the 120v feeds from each inverter to separate phases,  bonding all the grounds, isolating neutrals on separate neutrals bars...

Will this work to create 240v for double-pole breakers or will there be a conflict with these separate systems ?

Thanx in advance
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  • Graham Parkinson
    Graham Parkinson Registered Users Posts: 160 ✭✭✭
    #2
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    Any two random 120VAC inverters not designed to work together won't be able to make 240VAC because they won't be in sync (they'll effectively fight each other).

    Have you thought about swapping out the 240V heating elements in your tank for 120 VAC heating elements instead?   Many electrical hot water heaters have two independent heating elements anyways.  If each have their own thermostat you could deliver all of the power of your inverters but would have to wire them individually to each element.   

    It would probably be best to use two separate panels though to have breakers and all done right.  Not sure if this could be done under code. Maybe make the 600 watt array feed one 120 V element.

    Hopefully these are not 12 V inverters because hot water heating plus 20 amp circuits seems like a pretty significant load.

    Offgrid in cloudy PNW

    MacGyver'ed museum collection of panels, castoff batteries and generators - ready for state of art system install .... parade of surviving and dead generators: H650, Ryobi 900, Briggs and Scrap Iron 2000, H2200, H3000, Kubota 3500, Kubota 4500, Onan 7500

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  • Lysdexicuss
    Lysdexicuss Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭✭
    #3
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    Thanx Graham i like your idea of 120 V  water-heater alteration, will look into it. Both inverters are 12v, as are the panels etc.

    Will upgrade some day to 24v system
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