Hello out there. We have a small off-grid solar application I'd like to pass by some experts. Here are some details: 12V solar panel (SP) charges battery during day, and battery operates LED lights at night. SP max current ~8.2A. Max outside temp can exceed 100degF in summer in Houston. My questions are regarding the SP installation:

1) What gauge wire should I use? My intent is 10ga. stranded. There is outside chance I will add a 2nd SP, which would bring current up to 16.4A. Would I need to go to 8ga. in this case?

2) Must I run wire in (flex) conduit to inside of building?

3) If I use conduit can I run it over the gutter and down the side of the building? Or should we take the wires in through the roof?

4) Is a SP chassis ground needed? If so, would an 8' ground rod be OK? I would ground the battery (-) terminal too.

5) I plan on using red, white, and green color wires. OK?

Thanks,

Brian

You need to talk to someone about the local ordinance for solar installations.

10AWG should be sufficient. It is rated for 30A but then you will be derating the wire for the extreme temperatures. Length of run is also a big factor.

The wire needs to be protected.

The routing of the wire is an aesthetic issue. However be careful with any roof penetrations.

Check the installation documents and local ordinance to see the ground requrements. You would ground the chassis.

OK.

The wire length should be < 15' in the conduit. I'm trying to stay with 10ga, because it's hard to find hardware to fit thicker gauges.

We've got a good roof guy to help with mounting the SP and routing the conduit through the roof.

Thanks for the reply.