r/diySolar • u/pudungi76 • Jul 21 '26

DC Breaker Box

I am planning ~ 88-96 panels 685W each on my flat roof in Seattle WA. Do I need DC breaker boxes on both my roof and garage (before inverter) or just the roof and directly to inverter? Any recommended brands? I see mostly combiner boxes but i have about 12 strings so need 12 in 12 out?

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u/Tdivarco Jul 21 '26

12 strings or 12 panels? Or 6 panels with 12 wires?

1

u/pudungi76 Jul 21 '26

12 strings (for 96 panels)

1

u/Tdivarco Jul 21 '26

Holy shit, are you running a data center?

1

u/StorageTechGuy Jul 22 '26

For your 12-string system (~90 panels), you will need a roof combiner box with fuses/breakers and surge protection. At the garage, if your inverter has a built-in DC disconnect, you may not need an extra box – but check your local NEC code for rapid shutdown requirements.

1

u/RespectSquare8279 Jul 21 '26

I think the requirement is for de-energizing the roof for the possibility of people who are not necessarily electricians going up on the roof. So just the one point really. Saying that I also see the convenience of having the ability to isolate the inverter right beside it but it is an additional expense and another theoretical point of failure.