Power cuts and net metering

[holitec]

Hi,

In the event of a utility power cut, the solar inverter must stop feeding power to the grid. It is a safety feature, in case someone is working on the power lines.

Digby

[sunspot]

When power is restored, sometimes our PV panels start working immediately (feeding the grid) but sometimes the entire system has been tripped and must be restarted by flipping the PV system switch in the meter box. When we were away last spring, we lost several days of electricity generation because the PV system tripped due to a power cut and we were not here to switch it back on. (We know it was a power cut because our security alarm notified our mobile phones.)

Our PV installer did not originally put a switch for the PV system in our meter box. We had to climb onto the roof to switch it back on. We are in our 70s. Sometimes I am amazed by the way they do things here. We asked for a PV system switch inside our house because we get many power cuts, some lasting only seconds. We were told that is not possible.

[kansas]

As a matter of interest, does anyone else have a switch in their meter box in case of power cuts. It seems a bit extreme to have to get up onto the roof.

[trevnhil]

We have had a PV system for quite a few years now, but there has never been a switch on the roof.

[Dominic]

Our one is on the ground. Next to it there is a switch.

[kansas]

Trevhil, do you have a switch at all?

[daveg]

Am with you Trev ..I believe we had the same installer ( Andreas)...
It just automatically switches on/ off as required......

[trevnhil]

Trevhil, do you have a switch at all?

There is a big circular on/off switch at the side of the inverter.. And there is a 'Bar' switch that turns on and off 4 fuses.

[jeba]

As a matter of interest, does anyone else have a switch in their meter box in case of power cuts.

I do.