Installing Photovoltaic Solar Power at Home
on Apr 16 in Lowes DIY
This vid shows the various steps in planning and having a company (Real Goods Carlson: www.realgoodssolar.com install photovoltaic solar electric power in my rear yard in San Diego; definitely more challenging than a roof installation. My rationale for this: reduce my carbon footprint, buy / own my energy (like I do my house), help address CA’s energy shortfall and take advantage of the state and US government incentives for early adopters to save on the installation. I just uploaded it to Repower America: www.repoweramerica.org
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The AC rating is different from the DC rating. My system is rated at 4 kW DC, 3.7 kW AC (losses and conversion efficiencies). The actual kW depends on time of year; lower panel temperature = higher the efficiency.
Re: doing it myself, aside from the physical work, there are a lot of local regulations. I recommend you get a good company with many years experience. Avoid new companies & “great deals” – a 20 yr warranty only counts if the company’s in business..
how many watts does your grid tie inverter have and have you ever thought about doing it yourself?
@slicknickverbs about 40% of what you put in to buy it!
At the time the total cost was ~$33K, I got about $7500 back in state rebates and another ~$4K in tax credits. Very different now in C:
- The CSI rebate is roughly 1/2 what it was
- The IRS tax credit is higher (I think it’s 30% and not capped at $3K as it was in 2008
- Cost per watt for the panels are lower cost, too.
My cost was higher as I had to do a ground – rather than roof – installation.
I hope this helps.
How much of that $21,000 did you get back in rebates?
please hit reply when you answer so that I get a notification that you responded. Thanks.
The panels have aluminum frames and are protected by tempered glass (like a car windscreen), so they’re pretty tough. Even if the glass breaks (supposed to be fine against hail), the solar panels themselves will still generate electricity. If you’re concerned, check the manufacturers (mine were Sharp, but Kyocera and Sun Power also make panels)
Are the panels fragile? Do you not have to protect them from falling objects?
It’s certainly not in its infancy – these panels have been used for many years (even in space). Some of the new “thin film” solar is in its infancy, but these panels have a 20 year warranty on them. Regarding aesthetics, I guess it’s a matter of opinion, but I am growing short bushes on the sides to mask the support structure. Otherwise the panels look great and remind me that I’m not dumping all that CO2 into the air (13,000 lb saved in 1 year + no electric bill for the year!)
Cant help wishing this technology was not in its infancy. I am sure that in the future it will be done more gracefully without having to destroy anything or looking ugly.
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Nicely done video with great educational value to those of us thinking about this. Many thanks! (Agreed with your comments regarding self sufficiency and not sending money for energy to countries that hate us — thanks for that also!)
Congratulations. A great little video and a good introduction.
Thanks! Payback is a lot lower now thanks to 2009 US Govt. tax credits. It’s gone from ~11 – 12 yrs (ground install is longer than roof) assuming historic annual energy price increase to more like 6 – 7 yrs. My goal is to go electric car (I have an electric bike for local stuff) when they come out. That’ll likely improve it further. If true carbon cost is ever assigned to fossil fuels, payback time will be much less. Also, according to local realtors cost is fully recovered if you sell.
Aussie’s a great place, but they’ve got a similar climate and worse water problem even than So. California. Also note that solar panels get less efficient as they get warmer: I’ve seen that between summer and winter, so hot desert is not ideal (though still very usable).
Thanks. For me this is about self sufficiency as much as anything. In San Diego, our utility is acting in against community interests, so I’m acting against that. Also, regardless of global warming, I’m lowering my operating costs & hedging future uncertainty in energy prices. With human population increasing, they’re likely going to trend one way – up – regardless of short term dips. Finally, when electric cars are a reality, I won’t have to send my hard earned $ to countries that hate us.
Great video, very interesting.
Even though i believe global warming is a hoax.
Why not live in Austrailia, there is a lot of sun there. Right?
Great video! Good job showing each step… Any numbers on what it takes to pay the system off?
Thanks again, Jack
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
This video is awesome! Best solar power install video on youtube. Very entertaining and informational. Excellently produced too.
Thanks – appreciate the feedback!
Great video. I loved it!