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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

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    • CommentAuthorgcar90
    • CommentTimeOct 20th 2011
     
    Does anyone know on the forum if a single PV inverter may be connected safely to more than one MCB in order to distribute the PV output from a single array to more than one property, each with its own independant mains supplied fuse board?
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeOct 20th 2011 edited
     
    I would have though only after it has passed through a dedicated MCB, with any others being of lower rating.

    So:

    Inverter-->16A MCB-->2 less than 16A MCB's
    •  
      CommentAuthorted
    • CommentTimeOct 20th 2011
     
    It is certainly not something I would do. Basically there is only one output from the inverter and that should be connected to a single circuit which should be 'downstream' of a single import meter.

    And a separate metered supply could potentially be on a different phase, which would not be a good idea. Even if it is not now, it could change at some point in the future and the DNO would get mighty upset if they suddenly found out the hard way.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeOct 21st 2011 edited
     
    Gcar90. No. MCB are not one way devices.

    If I've understood your proposal it would link Live in one house to Live in another (both after the meters). There would be nothing to stop current flowing from one house to another so the meter readings would be unreliable. Also I don't think live and neutral currents would balance so most likely there would also be problems with RCD tripping. Would almost certainly be illegal/against regs as well.

    Only possible solution I can see would be to reconfigure the supply to one house so that it was connected as you would an outbuilding to the other.
    • CommentAuthorgcar90
    • CommentTimeOct 21st 2011
     
    Thanks everyone. I think the only way this could work is with a single cut out providing a connection to a number of sub meters as might occur is say, a block of flats. As Ted has pointed out critically, phases much match and who knows if there are subject to change.

    Seem a pity that if there is a large PV array available on a common rooftop that the solar power cannot be routed to whoever demands it, taking into consideration that it is pretty much one inverter needed per 4KWp which means splitting the array into around 4Kw peak segments each with an inverter for each homes's MCB. I suppose though even this way the power that is exported is used by someone down the road but only at the value of 3.1p/kwh.

    Is there any realistic chance that the export rate could be lifted to something like 10p/kwh if the FIT rate is to be reduced from next year onwards. Don't understand why the export value is so poor, or is it just because the FIT of 43.3 is so high?
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeOct 21st 2011 edited
     
    Posted By: gcar90 Seem a pity that if there is a large PV array available on a common rooftop that the solar power cannot be routed to whoever demands it..


    Yes it can, that's what the grid is for :-)

    It's not a problem of distribution but as you say it's one of billing.
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