Will this protect from solar flares?

Yes, this device will help protect (never 100%) the home from Voltage surges from any cause, including solar-induced surges. Rare solar events CAN cause surges in commercial power systems. No protective device can function in every case, however. This is called science.

where do you install this? from the power meter to the main circuit breaker then to Square D then to the rest of the breaker tree?

top reply by walker is incorrect...instruction offer two installation options 1) (preferred method) connect to service panel's bus bar "lugs" (just under the main breaker) these are always live if the main breaker is on, so you need to know what you are doing; option 2) connect to the closest (prefer first) double breaker slot (top two slots) on either side, and yes, use a 20 amp 240 V double breaker (so both 125V bars are protected). Two separate 20 amp 120V single pole breakers (one above the other on the same side) "attach" to same bus bars as the double breaker, but if one breaker trips, you lose half the protection, so you want to use a 20amp 240v double pole breaker! If you connect the HEPD to the top right single pole breaker and top left single pole breaker (one breaker on each side of the same "row"), you will only protect one of the 120V bus bars and not both. That is why 240V breakers are double wide, so they connect to both 120V bus bars (the right side does not connect to one bus bar and the left side to the other). Also, walker's mention of three wires from the pole...only two carry 120v each, the other one is the ground. If you are not knowledgeable, hire a professional to be safe...if you install it wrong, the insurance policy it provides is null and void.

will this protect all the breakers in the panel or is it just for one breaker

It must be connected to it's own breaker in the panel. By doing that it protects the entire panel.

How do I determine how many of these I need for my house? I have a main panel outside and 4 panels in the garage.

What size is your main service entrance panel?One of these units usually covers a 200 amp residential service.Interesting (and a bit strange) that you have so many subpanels in your garage.What kind of equipment are you running in your garage that require 4 subpanels?

Manufacturer	Square D by Schneider Electric
Part Number	HEPD80
Item Weight	15.8 ounces
Product Dimensions	2.67 x 3.75 x 3.6 inches
Item model number	HEPD80
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Size	80kA
Color	Black
Style	80kA
Material	Polycarbonate, Rubber
Pattern	Device
Voltage	600 Volts
Amperage Capacity	80 Kiloamps
Item Package Quantity	1
Number Of Pieces	1
Measurement System	English
Mounting Type	Plug-In Mount
Plug Format	Type A
Certification	Csa/Nema/Ul
Special Features	Surge Protection, LED Indicator, Waterproof
Usage	Whole Home Surge Protection
Included Components	Surge protective device, instruction bulletin
Batteries Included?	No
Batteries Required?	No
Warranty Description	5 year Product warranty

Square D HEPD80 Universal Whole House Surge Protection Device, 1-Phase, 3-Wire for 120/240V, 80kA

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