200 Amp main panel - upgrade bus line?

[RSVRMAN]

I’m going to be getting Solar ahead of nem 3.0 and found out today that this may cost a lot more than I had hoped. According to the installer, I need a place to land a 60 amp breaker and there currently is no room in the main panel. Normally this isn’t too big of a deal, but they added that this year any main panel within 3’ of the gas needs to be relocated away, if you do any changes, as in changing the panel. (PG&E)

I have two 3/0 copper lines chased in underground conduit from about 65’ away from the pole, which I believe are rated at 200 amp each from the electrical table I reviewed, so it appears I have head room. Not sure how big I could go, but would I be correct in that I could go up to 400 amps with these two lines?

However as you can see in the picture, I have no more room to add any breakers. Could you add a larger (bus?) bar. Or for the double poles is there a breaker that would work similarly to my sub panel where you have two breakers on a single pole giving you more room that would work?

Im going to hire an electrician for this but want to know what options I have instead of having to relocate this panel, if that’s suggested.

Additional notes - panel on outside is a Murray, to the left is the meter.

Thanks in advance,

 

[adamnsrt4]

Can't you run a 60amp sub feed panel separate from your current panel?

 

[RSVRMAN]

Each of the double poles feeds a separate 100 amp panel inside the house and they are almost full. Not sure?

 

[adamnsrt4]

Maybe you can consolidate circuits with mini breakers to make room?

 

[Norcal]

Maybe you can consolidate circuits with mini breakers to make room?

Nope. Depending on the listing & labeling of the panel, might be able to change to a 200A main, & mount a new panel next to it then move those subfeeds into the new panel making additional spots available. Siemens does make a 200A breaker that would fit, Murray/Crouse-Hinds also had one but it was discontinued, Siemens is the listed replacement for Murray, although prior to Siemens ownership of Murray, they did allow ITE, (also now Siemens) and Bryant, (now Eaton), to be used in addition to Murray/Crouse-Hinds breakers. The Murray brand has been discontinued by Siemens.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I’m going to be getting Solar ahead of nem 3.0 and found out today that this may cost a lot more than I had hoped. According to the installer, I need a place to land a 60 amp breaker and there currently is no room in the main panel. Normally this isn’t too big of a deal, but they added that this year any main panel within 3’ of the gas needs to be relocated away, if you do any changes, as in changing the panel. (PG&E)

who added this code? the city of san franshitsco? Do they have a written code amendment for this?

Can you move the gas meter further away? would be easier than moving an electrical service

Im sure Profit Gouge & Execute will charge for that but again would be way easier

I have two 3/0 copper lines chased in underground conduit from about 65’ away from the pole, which I believe are rated at 200 amp each from the electrical table I reviewed, so it appears I have head room. Not sure how big I could go, but would I be correct in that I could go up to 400 amps with these two lines?

the ampacity of the service lateral from the PoCo is entirely up to the PoCo. They are not bound by the NEC. So as far as ampacity goes, you would need to check with them for how large of a service you can have on those wires.

But the 3/0 cu wires pictured in your breaker panel are NOT the service lateral wires coming from the PoCo. Those wires are in the meter section of the panel which you dont have access to. I highly doubt Profits Gone Elsewhere is using cu for their service lateral....

However as you can see in the picture, I have no more room to add any breakers. Could you add a larger (bus?) bar.

no because then you would be violating the listing of the panel and i doubt youll find a higher rated bus bar for the same panel.

Or for the double poles is there a breaker that would work similarly to my sub panel where you have two breakers on a single pole giving you more room that would work?

yes theyre called tandems but your panel is not rated or listed for them since its a meter main with just 4 spaces

 

[ipgenie]

Look at doing a tap on the main lines. Probably the easiest way to add the connection for solar.