Hybrid back-up system = gas gen + solar array

Xringer · 06-30-10, 05:51 PM

I have a 5kw gasoline generator to use as backup during emergencies.

I would use it keep cold and frozen food from spoiling and to keep the heating (and cooling) system usable.
Secondarily, it could power a TV or even the cable boxes if they were still able to work.
(We have an outdoor TV antenna, just in case).

The second part of the system would be to tie in solar to supplement the gas generator.
One easy way to do that would be to plug a grid-tie inverter into the generator.
When the sun was out, my PV array could be adding almost 500 watts to the
home grid, thus allowing the 5KW gen to be under less of a load, and burn less fuel..
The PV might be able to run my Sanyo Mini-split without loading the gas generator at all..

Currently, we are using between 300 & 500 watts during the day time.
(About 500 kWh a month).
So, it seems like we could use this Hybrid system (during the day) to
run our home at a normal use rate, and only load down the 5KW gen
when we needed to warm up something in the microwave..

I'm wondering how well one of the Power Jack GTIs would work with my generator.?.
1200w+LCD grid tie solar power inverter 28-52vDC/110vAC - eBay (item 250645344281 end time Jul-05-10 01:26:38 PDT)
If I understand correctly, the GTI is made to sync up with the 'grid'.
So, would it think my gas generator was the grid??

Comments please..

Cheers,
Rich

06-30-10, 05:51 PM	#1
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Hybrid back-up system = gas gen + solar array I have a 5kw gasoline generator to use as backup during emergencies. I would use it keep cold and frozen food from spoiling and to keep the heating (and cooling) system usable. Secondarily, it could power a TV or even the cable boxes if they were still able to work. (We have an outdoor TV antenna, just in case). The second part of the system would be to tie in solar to supplement the gas generator. One easy way to do that would be to plug a grid-tie inverter into the generator. When the sun was out, my PV array could be adding almost 500 watts to the home grid, thus allowing the 5KW gen to be under less of a load, and burn less fuel.. The PV might be able to run my Sanyo Mini-split without loading the gas generator at all.. Currently, we are using between 300 & 500 watts during the day time. (About 500 kWh a month). So, it seems like we could use this Hybrid system (during the day) to run our home at a normal use rate, and only load down the 5KW gen when we needed to warm up something in the microwave.. I'm wondering how well one of the Power Jack GTIs would work with my generator.?. 1200w+LCD grid tie solar power inverter 28-52vDC/110vAC - eBay (item 250645344281 end time Jul-05-10 01:26:38 PDT) If I understand correctly, the GTI is made to sync up with the 'grid'. So, would it think my gas generator was the grid?? Comments please.. Cheers, Rich