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Would a generator be able to supplant the grid? In effect have an auto-transfer but to the diesel/natural gas/propane generator? The generator would be idling e

Would a generator be able to supplant the grid? In effect have an auto-transfer but to the diesel/natural gas/propane generator? The generator would be idling except when power needs exceeded solar panels' capacity. Might feel like a step backwards in terms of environmental impact, but presumable the fuel used would be minimal while the sun was shining or batteries not empty.

deleted 8y ago
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sathackr 8y ago
This is something I struggled to understand when my system was installed. With the normal grid-tie systems, all of the energy produced by the panels must be consumed. If you are producing more solar energy than you are consuming, while running on generator, the inverter will still attempt to force that energy into your home. The generator will take the brunt of it and will likely be damaged or destroyed. They do have systems that can take inputs from Solar, Generator, Grid, and Battery and use the best available option. But they are significantly more expensive than the typical grid-tie systems.
gwbas1c 8y ago
At this point, it's probably cheaper or simpler just to use a bigger generator or a battery.
stephen_g 8y ago
Unless you undersize your solar so it can never put out more power than your house uses, you need something to absorb or dissipate excess energy - either a battery and/or a STATCOM or similar device.
ridgeguy 8y ago
> Would a generator be able to supplant the grid? Yes. Our neighbor across the street depends on a respirator. We live in a rural Bay area location that has grid dropouts several times a year. Some last a few seconds, some more than a day. His setup: A transfer switch operates ~ 3 seconds after grid failure, followed ~ 2 seconds later by autostart of a propane generator. His house stays on generator power until the grid comes back up for at least 5 continuous minutes. Then the transfer switch flips back to the grid and the generator shuts off. Why propane? Because gasoline slowly degrades (polymerization) and needs to be drained, disposed of, and replaced with new (typically every year or so). Propane doesn't degrade over time.
- cbr 8y ago
  > Why propane? Because gasoline slowly degrades (polymerization) and needs to be drained, disposed of, and replaced with new (typically every year or so). Propane doesn't degrade over time. If you have natural gas piped to your home then a natural gas generator is a solid option. Expensive, though.
  - rootusrootus 8y ago
    A good bit cheaper than propane, though. The only people I know who use propane do so because they don't have NG pipes to their house.

deleted 8y ago

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sathackr 8y ago

This is something I struggled to understand when my system was installed. With the normal grid-tie systems, all of the energy produced by the panels must be consumed. If you are producing more solar energy than you are consuming, while running on generator, the inverter will still attempt to force that energy into your home. The generator will take the brunt of it and will likely be damaged or destroyed. They do have systems that can take inputs from Solar, Generator, Grid, and Battery and use the best available option. But they are significantly more expensive than the typical grid-tie systems.

gwbas1c 8y ago

At this point, it's probably cheaper or simpler just to use a bigger generator or a battery.

stephen_g 8y ago

Unless you undersize your solar so it can never put out more power than your house uses, you need something to absorb or dissipate excess energy - either a battery and/or a STATCOM or similar device.

ridgeguy 8y ago

> Would a generator be able to supplant the grid? Yes. Our neighbor across the street depends on a respirator. We live in a rural Bay area location that has grid dropouts several times a year. Some last a few seconds, some more than a day. His setup: A transfer switch operates ~ 3 seconds after grid failure, followed ~ 2 seconds later by autostart of a propane generator. His house stays on generator power until the grid comes back up for at least 5 continuous minutes. Then the transfer switch flips back to the grid and the generator shuts off. Why propane? Because gasoline slowly degrades (polymerization) and needs to be drained, disposed of, and replaced with new (typically every year or so). Propane doesn't degrade over time.

cbr 8y ago
> Why propane? Because gasoline slowly degrades (polymerization) and needs to be drained, disposed of, and replaced with new (typically every year or so). Propane doesn't degrade over time. If you have natural gas piped to your home then a natural gas generator is a solid option. Expensive, though.
- rootusrootus 8y ago
  A good bit cheaper than propane, though. The only people I know who use propane do so because they don't have NG pipes to their house.