INSTALLATION PROCESS

BEGINNINGS

How do we begin the solar process?

The first step in deciding if you can employ solar power in your home or business is to consider the space requirements for a system. 

  • Do you have an area that is oriented south (towards the sun) that solar panels can be situated?
  • Is the space on a roof, ground, patio or awning cover?
  • Does the space you are considering have an unobstructed view of the sun? Are there any trees that would cast a shadow on the solar array during the summer or winter?
  • Solar works very well so long as light is able to directly strike the panels.
  • Is your roof flat or steep? This will determine the type of mounting system you will need.
  • Will the site you are considering for a system be in view of the neighbors or will a homeowners association require its approval?
  • Check with your local building inspector about solar installations and local requirements. Many have checklists to follow for solar installations.
  • Check with your utility provider about their requirements.
  • Always consider aesthetics when installing a system.
  • The second step in the solar process is to compare your average daily power usage to get an idea of the size of array you need in order to wipe out your bill on average for the next several decades...
  • Solar power is generated during the day, typically from 10 am to about 4 pm in the most significant amounts.
  • These same six hours will be the time required to generate an ENTIRE DAY AND NIGHTS worth of power.
  • The trick is to spin your meter backwards the same number of revolutions during those "peak" daylight hours that you would typically "consume" (forward spinning revolutions) during the night.
  • In the real world, there are seasonal differences. You will generate more power during the longer hours of summer sunlight than winter. You might live in an area that receives ten hours of sunlight in the summer for example and only 2 in January. For most areas of the United States, 5 hours is a good average daily amount of sun to calculate as "usable."
  • So to size your system, simply divide your average daily use (usually depicted as a bar graph on your power bill) and divide by 5 hours.
  • If your average daily usage is 48 kWh, for example, then you would need to generate those same 48 units in 6 hours. You would need a solar system rated at around 8 kW (per hour). An 8 kW solar system corresponds to approximately 24 high efficiency modules and requires about 435 square feet of space (22' by 20' approximately).

The core issue for most people is return on investment.  This question is intimate with your projected time frame occupying your current residence or building.

  • Are you planning on staying put for 5-10 years? If so, then solar WILL work for you if you have adequate access to sunshine as described above. If you are planning on moving in the near term, then installing solar simply falls into the "raising home valuation" category only.
  • Further complicating the payback issue is where you happen to live. Every state has its own version of an incentive program. Many individual utility systems also offer specific incentives. Some parts of the country have "green tag" programs that pay the owner for their power in addition to normal power offsets, and finally, rates can vary city to city.
  • Not to avoid the payback question, but to find your custom made answer you will have to look to the state by state breakdowns of incentives---summarized nicely here.

If you are a business owner, then there is typically another layer of tax credits and incentive programs available.   If you file a schedule C or F or similar and can use solar power in any way as a part of your business....then you qualify.  These include a 30% Federal tax credit,   an accelerated 5-year depreciation adjustment, state tax credits, etc.  Solar pencils out to cost only 5-10 percent after 5 years for business use in Oregon for example.  It is a large upfront investment that is returned many times over in the longer term.    

Finally, don't underestimate what you already pay for energy month to month.  The average power bill in America is $ 300 every month.  That is: $3,600 per year.  That is: $36,000 in 10 years.  Even with NO tax incentives, solar would pay for itself in this time frame. Please consider investing in yourself.

Also note that power rates will most likely not come down in the coming years...  

The systems are surprisingly easy to install.  In fact, if you have recently hooked up a home theater system, you are probably over qualified to install a solar system on your own house. 

  • We have catered to independent minded homeowners for years and most people report a great deal of satisfaction in installing a system. If you don't have the time or are installing a system on your business then you will need to hire a Renewable Energy Technician (RET) or licensed electrician to install your system.
  • Either way, your system will need to be inspected by your friendly local city or county electrical inspector. Even though all the time tested components are all U.L. listed to operate as tested, your local inspector will be concerned with installation issues such as proper grounding of the inverter and array, the proper conduit and #10 AWG THHN wire, etc.
  • If you install your own system, you will need to sketch out a diagram of your intended array placed on your roof, include the rack specs from this site, weight loading issues, and any other localized info they may need. It is very prudent to check with your local permit office first, and many local offices have solar electrical checklists to help you along your way.
  • The next step is to check with your local utility provider for their specific additional requirements. They may need an outdoor AC disconnect for example, located near your power meter because they feel it's still necessary to comply with a 75 year old obsolete co-generation manual disconnect code! Your system is designed to do all this code disconnecting automatically by the way... but at any rate, give the locals their territory and smile politely.
  • Once your system is installed and inspected by the city/county inspector, the utility will also want to come out and inspect it. It may sound like a complicated set of hurdles, but everyone is typically very supportive of the process and it is becoming more and more commonplace. Don't let any perceived bureaucracy deter you! They work for you in the final analysis.