DIY Solar install

[bgsnyder]

I bought solar panels last year and installed them myself. A friend, who is an electrician did the final tie in. I was finally able to turn them on mid November. After a couple cloudy and snow covered months I was able to produce more than I used in February. I checked my March bill and I now have enough of a credit to cover next month's usage. My February production was more than my highest use the previous summer. I can't wait to see how much I bank during the good solar months.

[bigalsmith101]

I bet the majority of us would be interested to hear what size solar array you installed, and how much you have invested in the complete setup. Sounds good so far!

[saijoe]

And what part of the country you're in...

[bgsnyder]

I'm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I did a 12 panel, 3.8Kw system. Final price was $8214.79 before the 30% back from federal and 15% from the state of Iowa. It would have been a little cheaper. I bought extra PV wire that I didn't need $60 and messed up on the permits, so I got hit with about $400 in penalties there, but I put it all on a credit card with a $200 sign up bonus, cash back, and 12 months no interest. So I got about $300 back right away, and I just rolled it to a Chase Slate card with 0 balance transfer fee, and another 15 months 0% interest. So a 2 year interest free loan.

[farmecologist]

Wow sounds like a great project.  So how long did the install take?

 

[Bicycle_B]

Awesome, Bgsnyder!

I am considering this for my own home.

What kind of panels and inverter (or microinverters) did you buy?  Where did you get them?  What drove your choice of a particular inverter? 

Do you tie into the grid and release all extra energy to it, or do you have storage in the home (battery or such)?

[CowboyAndIndian]

Dont leave us hanging bgsnyder ;-) We need pictures of the finished product as well as during the install.

Technical details would also be appreciated.

[Cadman]

Hey Bgsnyder,

I'd love to hear more about your setup. I'm in Cedar Falls, IA and did the same as you, went online in July and couldn't be happier. However, I'm still waiting on a certificate number from the state before I can file for the IA credit. PITA.

Did you go with a DC system or micro-inverters?

[bgsnyder]

Awesome, Bgsnyder!

I am considering this for my own home.

What kind of panels and inverter (or microinverters) did you buy?  Where did you get them?  What drove your choice of a particular inverter? 

Do you tie into the grid and release all extra energy to it, or do you have storage in the home (battery or such)?

I did Canadian solar 300 Watt panels, Solaredge microinverters, and Solaredge 5Kw inverter from bluepacificsolar.com. I chose them for price and ease of installation. It is grid tied, pushing the extra to the grid.

Hey Bgsnyder,

I'd love to hear more about your setup. I'm in Cedar Falls, IA and did the same as you, went online in July and couldn't be happier. However, I'm still waiting on a certificate number from the state before I can file for the IA credit. PITA.

Did you go with a DC system or micro-inverters?

I am also waiting on the state before I can get the IA credit.

Dont leave us hanging bgsnyder ;-) We need pictures of the finished product as well as during the install.

Technical details would also be appreciated.

I don't have any pictures of the install process. It went pretty quick. It's actually surprisingly easy. I bought everything in April and didn't really know the approval process so they just sat in the garage while I got information and waited on approvals. The actual install I did over a couple weekends and a little time after work. Probably only 8-12 hours of actual work.

[acroy]

Badass.
I've not done it myself due to 'fear of the unknown' - permits, electrical. You inspired me to take another look ;)

[specialkayme]

I've consistently gone back and forth on the ROI of solar.

My state doesn't offer any tax incentives for residential solar, so I'm stuck with "only" the 30% federal incentive.

I'll read one article, do the math, and come to the conclusion that a $8k system could produce a 226% ROI over the life of the unit. Then I'll read another article, do the math, and the ROI drops to a 60% ROI over the same time period (depending on whether I install myself, vs. pay to have it installed, which could fluctuate the cost between $1.20 per watt to $3.40 per watt).

So I conclude how it only makes sense for me to buy cheap and install myself, as opposed to paying higher prices to have someone else install. Then I read about how a 2% shading of a panel (from say, a power line) reduces efficiency in the unit by 33%, meaning location on the roof, tilt, angle, all play a significant factor.

Then I think about how the cost will really just increase the value of my home. But one real estate agent told me, at least in our location, solar doesn't increase the value of the home dollar for dollar. Instead it's closer to $0.50 or $0.60 on the dollar.

Then I realize my home isn't very energy efficient anyway (20 year old AC unit/heat pump, for example), and the money may be more worthwhile spent getting the home more energy efficient. But I have a hard time spending $10k on an AC unit when the old one hasn't broken. And then I'm back to square one.

Does anyone know a good, efficient, non "seller jaded" review of the ROI of solar, all things considered, that determine if it's worthwhile? Would it be cost effective to get a microinverter and one panel, then add a panel each year?

[wienerdog]

I did Canadian solar 300 Watt panels, Solaredge microinverters, and Solaredge 5Kw inverter from bluepacificsolar.com. I chose them for price and ease of installation. It is grid tied, pushing the extra to the grid.

Just for clarity Solaredge has optimizers not microinverters.  The 5kW unit is the inverter.  I believe this to be a much better design as you get the benefits of the microinverter but the DC/DC optimizer should be better in long run than having a bunch of mini inverters.  Solaredge also has one of the most efficient inverters out now with their brand new design.  I have looked at using them in a DIY system I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.  I like your choices of equipment.

[hoping2retire35]

OHHHH. I have an out building where running the wire conduit etc. would be a lot of work and still cost several hundred, maybe $0.5k. So I have been thinking of just installing panels, which might cost a little bit but would keep electrical from increasing(there is a small ac unit in it that would suck a little energy, maybe $10 a month). And it would make a fun project, instead of just digging a trench.

[AlanStache]

OHHHH. I have an out building where running the wire conduit etc. would be a lot of work and still cost several hundred, maybe $0.5k. So I have been thinking of just installing panels, which might cost a little bit but would keep electrical from increasing(there is a small ac unit in it that would suck a little energy, maybe $10 a month). And it would make a fun project, instead of just digging a trench.

There are plug and play DIY kits for this sort of thing on amazon/etc; they include everything.  You wont be arc-welding with them but for low demand they might be ok.

specialkayme - similar boat.  I have other low hanging fruit in my home, insulation is not as sexy but has better ROI for me.

[specialkayme]

specialkayme - similar boat.  I have other low hanging fruit in my home, insulation is not as sexy but has better ROI for me.

I was thinking fairly similar. Better insulation, more efficient AC/Heat Pump or water heater would probably provide a significantly greater 20 year ROI for me.

But, most of those things won't provide me 30% tax rebates, or increase the value of the home.

The way I'm calculating it, a 7.8 kW system would run ~$10,000 ($8,500 from Blue Pacific, plus $1,500 in permits, extra wires, and perhaps an "oh shit" buffer if I need to call an electrician). Assuming it's running at 80% efficiency, based on my electricity rate, I'd save $80 per month (average over the year) on electricity bills. I'd spend $10,000, receive $3,000 in tax credits, save $4,800 on electricity over 5 years, and improve the value of the home by $5,000. Net gain over a five year time period would be ~4.97% annual return.

Now, if I could get the cost down to $9,000, efficiency up to 95%, and home value improvement rate to 70% of the cost, then I'm looking at a ~10.127% annual return. But I don't know if any of those estimates are realistic.

If I'm planning on living where I'm at for 20 years, less sexy improvements would provide a greater return. If I'm planning on living where I'm at for 5 years and selling, solar may make more sense.

[MarioMario]

I've consistently gone back and forth on the ROI of solar.

My state doesn't offer any tax incentives for residential solar, so I'm stuck with "only" the 30% federal incentive.

I'll read one article, do the math, and come to the conclusion that a $8k system could produce a 226% ROI over the life of the unit. Then I'll read another article, do the math, and the ROI drops to a 60% ROI over the same time period (depending on whether I install myself, vs. pay to have it installed, which could fluctuate the cost between $1.20 per watt to $3.40 per watt).

So I conclude how it only makes sense for me to buy cheap and install myself, as opposed to paying higher prices to have someone else install. Then I read about how a 2% shading of a panel (from say, a power line) reduces efficiency in the unit by 33%, meaning location on the roof, tilt, angle, all play a significant factor.

Then I think about how the cost will really just increase the value of my home. But one real estate agent told me, at least in our location, solar doesn't increase the value of the home dollar for dollar. Instead it's closer to $0.50 or $0.60 on the dollar.

Then I realize my home isn't very energy efficient anyway (20 year old AC unit/heat pump, for example), and the money may be more worthwhile spent getting the home more energy efficient. But I have a hard time spending $10k on an AC unit when the old one hasn't broken. And then I'm back to square one.

Does anyone know a good, efficient, non "seller jaded" review of the ROI of solar, all things considered, that determine if it's worthwhile? Would it be cost effective to get a microinverter and one panel, then add a panel each year?

Its like you are in my head thinking my thoughts.

I think I will probably make the jump eventually because at the end of the day I think it will be a fun learning experience, and its better for the environment.

[bgsnyder]

Added a screen shot of my last month's bill showing my net meter credit. Not bad for a 3.8kw system. 1.3Mw in less than a year.

[bigalsmith101]

Added a screen shot of my last month's bill showing my net meter credit. Not bad for a 3.8kw system. 1.3Mw in less than a year.

What is your break even timeline? Well done!