I recently watched a video showing someone connecting AC power from an inverter directly to the house side of the meter instead of tying it into the breaker panel. Is this a common practice? What potential issues might arise from doing this? I'm assuming there would need to be a breaker or fuse in the line coming from the inverter as well.
2 Answers
What you're referring to is known as a line side tap, and it’s actually quite common. This method allows you to add solar power when your main panel is already crowded or not easily accessible. It's typically safe as long as you include a shutoff switch next to the meter for safety measures.
Yes, supply side taps or line side taps are commonly used and allowed in most places. They’re really beneficial when your current service panel can't handle additional backfeed. Just a heads-up: if you have a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panel, definitely consider getting it replaced due to fire risks. Also, there's a neat adapter from a company that makes it easier to connect without modifying the mains directly. You can check it out here: connectder.com/products/solar-meter-adapter/
Thanks for the insight! Luckily, I have a new electrical panel. My main concern is the physical placement of the meter and panel. Connecting to the meter lugs seems to make the most sense for handling all the energy efficiently.
Awesome! Thanks for this info. I think this setup will work a lot better for where I have everything configured on my property.