Tech Help

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  1. What is the difference between mill finish and clear anodized rail?

    Asked 04/20/2011

    Is there any application difference? Do you recommend using mill finish flashing or rails in an application in California?

    Question – 1 comment

  2. What type of top clamps and grounding equipment shall I use with DPW top of pole mounts?

    Asked 04/20/2011

    I want to use DPW PowerFAB top of pole mount for my panels.

    Question – 1 comment

  3. What is the weight per square foot that the RapidRac?

    Asked 04/20/2011

    I'm looking for the Unirac RapidRac specification. What is the maximum load that Rapidrac will support?

    Question – 3 comments

  4. Is this a suitable junction box to use with my Enphase installation?

    Asked 04/20/2011

    I am hooking four 240W panels using an Enphase interconnect cable and then planning on this box then 10-3 running to service panel?

    Question – 3 comments

  5. Could you help me with wiring Enphase Interconnect cable?

    Asked 04/20/2011

    Okay, I need reassurance..

    Question – 4 comments

  6. Could you provide suppliers for Viscous Dampers for stabilizing solar trackers?

    Asked 04/19/2011

    Could someone provide suppliers for long travel viscous dampers for stabilizing tracking panels from wind gusts?

    Question – 1 comment

  7. Is an AC lightning arrestor essential for a PV system?

    Asked 04/17/2011

    I have an off grid system, I have DC lightning arrestors, but I read somewhere that I should have an AC surge arrestor and an AC surge cap

    Question – 1 comment

  8. Does higher Torque Value on installation damage PV module?

    Asked 04/15/2011

    I am installing ET Solar panels ( ET-P660230B ) on Unirac HD rails using top-mounted clamps.  The ET installation manual recommends the

    Question – 1 comment

  9. What is passive solar tracking?

    Asked 04/14/2011

    Could you explain me the details of 'passive' solar tracking? Is there a significant reduction in efficiency?

    Question – 1 comment

  10. Can you recommend a single axis tracker for my project?

    Asked 04/14/2011

    What are the benefits of single axis tracker? I'm building a 3 kW solar system on my back yard. Thank you.

    Question – 1 comment

  11. What is galvanic separation?

    Asked 04/12/2011

    I am reading in the SMA TL installation manual that the transformerless inverters don't have galvanic seperation. What does it mean?

    Question – 1 comment

  12. What is the panel mounting hole range of Ironridge UNI-SP/01XH?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    The installation manual and the drawings of the Ironridge Side of Pole  UNI-SP/01XH doesn't state the maximum and minimum hole dis

    Question – 1 comment

  13. What size pole should I use for Ironridge Top of Pole mount?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    The installation manual doesn't really mention. 2.0" or 3.0" diameter pole? Can I use other sizes?

    Question – 1 comment

  14. What size pole should I use for Ironridge Side of Pole mount?

    Asked 04/11/2011

    Is 3.0" diameter pole only available size for the ironridge side of pole mount?

    Question – 1 comment

  15. Can I use Romex wire on a solar installation?

    Asked 04/04/2011

    Is Romex cable in conduit rated for the AC side of an instalaltion that uses Enphase? Or do I have to use THHN wire in conduit?

    Question – 1 comment

  16. Is there any hope for my charge controller?

    Asked 03/31/2011

    I have solar panels on top of my RV to keep a battery charged. I have not been using the RV, so it has been sitting here.

    Question – 1 comment

  17. What type of lugs do I use with Fronius IG Plus Bus Bar combiners?

    Asked 03/31/2011

    I am trying to figure out what type of lugs do I need for using the Fronius IG Plus Combiner Bus Bar . Thanks

    Question – 1 comment

  18. Could you advise on my off grid solar PV system?

    Asked 03/30/2011

    Let me tell you what I'm going to do and you tell me if it sounds right.  I'm going to put two 270w panels in series, with a Vmp

    Question – 2 comments

  19. How do you connect SMA Sunny Island to a 240V three phase service panel?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    For my grid tied system, together with an SMA Sunny Boy 5000US, I am considering buying a Sunny Island S4248U inverter.

    Question – 1 comment

  20. Is the Neutral wire required when connecting Fronius IG Plus 11.4-3 to a 3-phase 208 service?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    I need to know whether I have to run the neutral cable from the inverter to the service panel. Thank you.

    Question – 1 comment

  21. Do I use the total conductor distance or separate branches' distance of a fused wire when calculating wire size?

    Asked 03/29/2011

    When I'm figuring what size wire and the distance I can run at a certain amp and voltage my question is this:  According to my specs

    Question – 4 comments

  22. Do you hook modules in series or in parallel for a 24V system?

    Asked 03/27/2011

    For Four 235W solar panels;  DO YOU HOOK YOUR PANELS IN SERIES OR PARALLEL TO A 24VOLT SYSTEM?

    Question – 1 comment

  23. Do I need more than one charge controller for two Outback VFX3524 inverters?

    Asked 03/27/2011

    DO I NEED MORE THAN ONE CHARGE CONTROLLER FOR TWO OUTBACK VFX3524 OFF-GRID INVERTERS?

    Question – 1 comment

  24. Is there a second knock out on Xantrex DC250 Main breaker box encloser?

    Asked 03/25/2011

    On the side of my encloser I have a 60 amp breaker to protect my charge controller.  I'm  adding another charge controller to my syst

    Question – 2 comments

  25. How close do I have to match the voltage of the new panel to upgrade a PV system?

    Asked 03/23/2011

    I want to add some panels to a system. I currently have 6 panels, 125 watt, 18 volt approximately 7 amps a piece.

    Question – 2 comments