80 amp load center for "off grid" solar

[inphx]

I have my 16kw solar now permitted by the city. In my approved design the panel has an 80 amp breaker.

I am familiar with the Homeline brand and i have spare breakers for the loads so i prefer to stick with that brand for the panel.

Is the main breaker, the 100 amp panel i can readily buy in stock, is that 100 Amp breaker replaceable with Squared D 80 amp breaker if i can manage to find somewhere with it in stock? Is that main breaker the same as any breaker fitting the slots below or is it a different design?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pattenp]

I believe with the Homeline it maybe easier to get a main lug panel and backfeed a regular 80A breaker. You'd need to purchase a hold down kit for the 80A breaker. The main breaker is not a regular breaker.

 

[ipgenie]

My system is a little bigger with four inverters. I used a homeline load panel and back fed 4 40A breakers, one for each inverter (like patten suggested). The inspector was happy with it and it's worked great.

I'd also suspect that the 80A back fed breaker and the load panel combined might be cheaper than replacing the main breaker. Seems like every time I need anything out of the norm, it's marked up 5X and takes months to get if it's even available. Took 3 weeks to get a 35A breaker last time I needed one and it was 2X the price of a 40A.

 

[inphx]

You are correct. I ended up with a HOM2448L125PQGC Load Center plus an 80 amp breaker QOM80VH. And then spent the same amount for a 100 amp AC disconnect switch to be mounted inches to the left.

 

[pattenp]

I maybe wrong, but the panel is a Homeline and the breaker is a QO main breaker. I don't think they are compatible.

 

[yatg]

I maybe wrong, but the panel is a Homeline and the breaker is a QO main breaker. I don't think they are compatible.

You're right that its a QO main, but the spec sheet says it can be used in a homeline panel. Must have a compatible bolt pattern. Go figger.

https://media.distributordatasolutions.com/schneider_synd/2022q2/documents/1d17c30e03104ad5ca0d90dfca202539215d16a3.pdf

 

[pattenp]

Yeah... but that's a main lug panel so how does the QO main breaker mount? The main lug panel should only take plug-in breakers and that's why a breaker retainer kit is required for back feeding.
EDIT: Nevermind, I see that that main lug panel is convertible to use a main breaker.

 

[inphx]

Thanks guys, my selection came with the aid of a conversation with the Schneider electric online (surprisingly a human) chat:

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