The Best Way To Use A Generator With Solar Panels 

Solar inverters need a stable voltage and frequency in order got them to operate. The grid does an excellent job of producing a stable voltage and frequency. When the grid voltage and frequency go out of a certain range, the inverters are required to stop producing power and thereby not back feed the grid and harm a person who may be working on the power lines. This is required by IEEE 1547. Most generators will produce a stable voltage but not a stable frequency. Because of the instability in frequency, grid connected solar inverters will generally not turn when connected to a generator. Even if the generator’s frequency was stable, you probably wouldn’t want your solar inverter to operate in parallel with a generator. Why? Remember that Solar inverters are constantly trying to ‘push out’ as much power as possible. If the load on the generator is low and the solar generation exceeds the instantaneous power output of the generator, the solar inverter will send power back into the generator. This will at least cause a brown out but could also lead to damage to the generator. Why is Enphase different? When using an Enphase System controller; During a grid outage the System Controller will first open the connection between the grid and the generator/solar. This is similar to the isolation provided by a generator automatic transfer switch to protect utility workers. The microinverters are also programmed with a different grid profile that allows them to operate with a wider voltage and frequency range so they can operate with the unstable voltage and frequency that a generator produces. The Enphase system controller also monitors the power output of the generator and can ensure that the power from solar does not back feed into the generator thereby protecting the generator. If necessary, the Enphase system can reduce the solar generation and even turn it off completely if necessary. It’s really smart.

I have a Generac 26kv generator , what enphase controller do you recommend ?

What I really want is the solar panel inverter to shut down while grid is out. The Generac generator can take care is the hole home load.

@@kimandylawrence4199 can you help?

Matthew, thanks for watching and sharing your feedback. We're happy to report that we recently purchased a new microphone. It will be used on all videos moving forward.

@@thesolarenergychannel that will be a welcome improvement!

Always enjoy your content especially the honest cost info. Matthew must have read my mind. I too was going to suggest a new mic on the table instead of the camera mic. Glad to hear it’s coming. Thx.

@@mikemalloy5581 We're trying to get better with every video we make. Thanks for watching and for your feedback!

​@@matthewarney Our new mic has arrived. Check out our newest video and then let us know what you think. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dn2Q__vxAgo.html

Yes, that makes a lot of sense to have a generator and solar panels. We have lots of customers using a similar set up.

@@thesolarenergychannel He asked for advice not a thumbs up.

Thanks for sticking up for us. 👍It’s not the best audio, but we’ve improved since.

That is not an inverter we are familiar with. Thanks for watching!

You're correct. True whole-home backup batteries will be $100k+.

If you are worried about a long outage, solar plus batteries is the way to go. Hurricane Sandy knocked out power out for 10 days, we ran out of fuel in 5 days. You can have a solar system, with batteries that can run a home off-grid year-round for about $65K, before incentives.

@@SUNofNY It all depends on your electricity usage, but $65k for solar and enough batteries to truly run an off-grid home will cost a bit more. Check out our battery calculator to get a solid estimate of what the battery system would cost. www.paradisesolarenergy.com/battery-calculator

@@thesolarenergychannel Ill check it out, thanks.

@@SUNofNY great, hope you find it useful.

Thanks for your feedback! Check out our new videos. We’ve made several upgrades since this one.

We are located in the mid-Atlantic region of the US - Delaware, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Yes, we agree. Check out our new videos. We’ve made a lot of improvements. 👍

What questions do you have that were not answered in the video?

You’re right, it’s not the best. But the content is on point. 👍 Check out our newer videos. We’ve invested in new microphones.

Yes, it’s not our best. Check out our new videos. We’ve made a lot of improvements.

You’re right. We are solar experts, not video editing experts. Thankfully the audio is much better in our new videos.