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"you're going to have to undo all of this"

Why can't "all of this" be packaged into one idiot-proof box with connections to the grid, your off-grid system, and your house?




You mean like a generator transfer switch?

http://www.generac.com/all-products/transfer-switches/home-b...


That's a device that you probably don't want to use with your solar installation since it will not handle the grid-present resynchronization at the end of a power outage correctly which could cause your renewable energy system to be re-connected to the grid at 180 degrees out of phase worst case when grid power is restored. The result will be a big bill for a large number of power FETs or IGBTs depending on the tech used in your inverter.

So you can't just add an automatic transfer switch to retro-fit this to an existing inverter, but there are plenty of inverters where an option for an external module can be purchased or where an automatic transfer switch is built into the inverter itself:

http://ww3.wholesalesolar.com/newsletter/MAGNUM-AC-COUPLED-L...

These inverters will first synchronize with the grid before they connect.


Depending on local variations in electrical code it can be. But check with a licensed installer familiar with your local code.




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