Grid-Tie Solar Builds

 Advantages

• No batteries to purchase
• Still get backup power when grid is down as long as sun is shining
• Low maintenance

Disadvantages

• Must stay connected to grid
• No battery backup at night when sun is down and grid is down
• Permitting and grid-tie interconnect agreement paperwork

This is a high quality inverter by Delta made for Solar City. It was designed to operate with a version of the Tesla Powerwall however with its needed 480VDC input this is probably quite useless for any of us layfolk trying to connect batteries. Still works perfect as a standard grid-tie inverter with a bonus that it will island without a battery to a separate split phase output if you’d like some backup power when the grid is down! The price point of under $700 shipped can’t be beat for a brand new inverter.

Ironridge has a design tool allowing you to place your solar panels in landscape or portrait layout and spit out a bill of materials needed for everything from flashing to rails. It’s pricier than doing something like unistrut but should be lighter, has integrated grounding, and should be easier to get past your local permitting office.