I'm looking into installing solar panels and thinking ahead about potential home upgrades like adding a shop or an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). If I set up separate solar systems for my house and the shop/ADU, each with their own batteries and inverters, is it feasible to connect these systems so they can share excess electricity based on demand? Are there specific systems designed for this kind of setup?
3 Answers
It's definitely doable but does require some careful planning. I’ve managed off-grid properties with solar systems that share energy. Usually, I use Solark inverters that can help manage the transitions. At night, the system used least will discharge to the grid slowly so that another system can draw power to keep its batteries topped off when there's no sunlight.
Absolutely! If your inverters are connected to the same meter, it shouldn’t be much different than having one system across your house and shop. Just make sure they work together smoothly, especially when it comes to battery discharge.
Yes, you can connect multiple solar systems, but it can get a bit tricky. Ideally, you want them all on the same battery bank. If you have batteries hooked up in parallel and balanced, you should be good to go. Just keep in mind that having several charge controllers might cause one to shut off when it reaches full charge, so plan accordingly with a strong bus bar for connection.