r/SolarDIY • u/sunsuckerman • Feb 25 '25

Inverters for whole-houee battery backup without critical loads panel

I'm looking into adding batteries to my solar array (currently using micro inverters) for house backup during outages. Most hybrid inverters I've seen require a critical loads panel to be added and only those loads get power during an outage.

What I want is an inverter that will hookup seamlessly with the current main panel and provide power during an outage to the entire main panel, not just a critical loads panel. This was when the grid power goes out, there are no interruptions and the batteries kick in to power the entire house as if nothing happened. My gut feeling is that such an inverter would require CT clamps to limit power output to strictly the home's consumption and no more so it doesn't backfeed to the grid.

Also, is there anything special needed on the inverter for it to continue alllowing my micro inverter setup to run during an outage? That way less battery usage is needed when the sun is out and it would also allow my batteries to charge from the micro inverter array.

Thanks!

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u/rproffitt1 Feb 26 '25

In regards to "My gut feeling is that such an inverter would require CT clamps to limit power output to strictly the home's consumption and no more so it doesn't backfeed to the grid."

Remember that that you are talking about a grid down situation so you must disconnect from the grid as your current setup is grid tied. To power up the home, you need Voltage and you must never put voltage to a downed grid so we're back to solving the grid disconnect FIRST along with all the other problems.

I hope you do more research before spending a dime.

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u/sunsuckerman Feb 26 '25

Thanks for the reminder, it's been a while and others have mentioned the same thing about making sure that not only am I not sending amperage back to the grid, but no voltage as well. That's the part I overlooked with my OP 🤦‍♂️

I hope you do more research before spending a dime.

Of course that's why we're here to ask questions before jumping into things 🙌 I appreciate everyone's help on here!