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Elec Panel for wind turbine or PV panels?

  • 26-04-2011 9:38am
    #1
    BigGeorge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 473 ✭✭


    Putting in the elec first fix and want to be easily connect PV panels or a wind turbine in the future - is there anything particular I need to cater for as regards cabling, hardware etc..?


Comments

  • #2
    quentingargan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    I assume you want to grid connect both of these?

    In relation to PV, it is worth running some stranded double-insluated cable suitable for DC voltage from the loft area to a location near your consumer unit. You would need to mount a PV Grid tie inverter - depending on the size, this might be 400mm X 300mm approx. You would have isolators at both ends, but once the cable is in place, then fitting PVs later would be easier.

    For a wind turbine, it really depends on the turbine size, and type. Most turbines simply need a 3 phase connection to take the juice in from the base of the tower. This should be armoured, and again brought to a position near the consumer unit where an inverter may be fitted. In this case though, there will be a number of other control elements needed, and quite a bit of wall space. Quite often, people bring all the controls into a garden shed instead, so a good connection from your consumer unit to the shed might be a preferred option. It should be capable of delivering at least 6kw. You can then cable on from the shed to the turbine later.

    The three phase armoured cable to the tower depends on the turbine size, operating voltage, and distance to tower. The longer the cable run, the thicker the cable required. The higher the turbines operating voltage, the lighter the cable can be. 3X16mm should cover most requirements, but some turbines run on low voltage and may need more if the turbine is 200m or more away. You can get cable loss calculators online. Generally the lowest voltage for a 6kw turbine I have seen is in or around 250V (DC equivalent extracted from 3~).

    Besides the 3 phase wire, some wind turbine controllers require some further connection for control purposes, so if you want to be sure to be sure, you might run a 4X1.5 armoured as well while you're at it.


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