Researching solar install

gsmith660 · 03-04-2018, 05:05 AM

I have been chatting with Redbeard and he has given me some great info but I need thought on how to separate the chaff from the wheat on solar equipment. Who has quality equipment where are the best manufactured panels from? Should I stay away from Chinese panels? I have a good idea about efficiency and how to install them and such just not sure about who can be trusted and who cant.

John Rogers · 03-04-2018, 06:09 AM

We bought our solar system from SunRun who is a contractor with Costco. The panels are from Canada. The total cost with the folks from Lowes and Home Depot were within a couple hundred of each other. With Costco you get a 10% Costco card when you buy it and at the end of the year another chunk of money since you actually buy the system through Costco. It has been great!

shbop · 03-04-2018, 08:44 AM

I installed my first system about 18 years ago. I went with Outback Solar. A lot depends on what you want to accomplish. My system is 'grid-tied', and I have battery back-up. Are you looking to hire someone, or are you considering doing things yourself? Do you want to run off-grid, or grid-tied? I think an important consideration should be how easy it is to get support for whatever you decide to install. Here in Hawaii the solar market is pretty saturated. Over the past 10 years solar contractors had a field day. With tax credits from the Feds and the State, these companies were raking it in. Today, many who got photovoltaic systems are now looking to add battery back-up. They have realized that when their utility is off-line, they're not making any electricity. It was far easier and cheaper to install without battery back-up, and it costs dearly to add it later. Some systems have to be completely re-desgned. The agreements with utility companies have also changed considerably. I'm grandfathered in, and get dollar for dollar. My utility buys my extra for what I pay them. Today, that type of agreement is not available. Check on what's available in your area, unless you've decided to go off-grid, in which case you don't care. I have panels made in Japan, and panels made it the USA. So far, I haven't had any problems with either. I try to keep them clean by washing them off once a year. Good luck with it! Batteries are the big consumable here. They are pricey. We haven't figured-out how to store electricity well, yet.

gsmith660 · 03-04-2018, 08:51 AM

Going to be grid tied starting with a 10K system to get on the net metering program and going to expand it later to a 40K total not worried about when the power is off I have fireplaces for heat and will put in a generator for those times dont have a warm fuzzy for the batteries out there. I will be doing most of the work since I am mechanical and have an electrician that will do the wiring and deal with the utility

shbop · 03-04-2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsmith660

Going to be grid tied starting with a 10K system to get on the net metering program and going to expand it later to a 40K total not worried about when the power is off I have fireplaces for heat and will put in a generator for those times dont have a warm fuzzy for the batteries out there. I will be doing most of the work since I am mechanical and have an electrician that will do the wiring and deal with the utility

Doing most of the work will save you a bundle. I would buy either of the two types of panels I have again. Kyocera and Solar World. Knock on wood. So far no problems, and they're up and running for a while now. Good luck with it!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by shbop

I installed my first system about 18 years ago. I went with Outback Solar. A lot depends on what you want to accomplish. My system is 'grid-tied', and I have battery back-up. Are you looking to hire someone, or are you considering doing things yourself? Do you want to run off-grid, or grid-tied? I think an important consideration should be how easy it is to get support for whatever you decide to install. Here in Hawaii the solar market is pretty saturated. Over the past 10 years solar contractors had a field day. With tax credits from the Feds and the State, these companies were raking it in. Today, many who got photovoltaic systems are now looking to add battery back-up. They have realized that when their utility is off-line, they're not making any electricity. It was far easier and cheaper to install without battery back-up, and it costs dearly to add it later. Some systems have to be completely re-desgned. The agreements with utility companies have also changed considerably. I'm grandfathered in, and get dollar for dollar. My utility buys my extra for what I pay them. Today, that type of agreement is not available. Check on what's available in your area, unless you've decided to go off-grid, in which case you don't care. I have panels made in Japan, and panels made it the USA. So far, I haven't had any problems with either. I try to keep them clean by washing them off once a year. Good luck with it! Batteries are the big consumable here. They are pricey. We haven't figured-out how to store electricity well, yet.

We manufacture a system to add batteries to a grid tied system. We also add a generator, making uut a Hybrid Solar Energy System. Everything is controlled by our energy management system.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by shbop

Doing most of the work will save you a bundle. I would buy either of the two types of panels I have again. Kyocera and Solar World. Knock on wood. So far no problems, and they're up and running for a while now. Good luck with it!

Kyocera went out of the Solar panel business, 2 years ago. Mission solar is the only solvent panel assembler in the USA

gsmith660 · 03-04-2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

Kyocera went out of the Solar panel business, 2 years ago. Mission solar is the only solvent panel assembler in the USA

What is the life on your batteries? I figured I would get a generator that would sustain all loads but the water heaters and HVAC

gsmith660 · 03-04-2018, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shbop

Doing most of the work will save you a bundle. I would buy either of the two types of panels I have again. Kyocera and Solar World. Knock on wood. So far no problems, and they're up and running for a while now. Good luck with it!

I am pretty handy I had to take over on a room addition when the contractor I had abandoned the project he is paying for that now the 10K system will go on my roof of the shop the rest of it will go on a ground mount system where it will get no shade during the day

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsmith660

What is the life on your batteries? I figured I would get a generator that would sustain all loads but the water heaters and HVAC

3 types.

Std, 5-10, year, set for 80% DOD, but 500-1000 cycles. Backup power, grid tied systems.

Nano-carbon, 30% more $, 50% DOD, 3000 cycles. 5-10 years life. Off-grid

LFP, 2.5 times more $, 20 years life, 7000-10000 cycles, 90% DOD, Off-grid.