Show Off Your Solar!

Same here,
have a new pop up, and its pre-wired for "zamp" but looking into more cost effective panels. I can't imagine the whole "prewired" part is anything more then the special connector that Zamp uses. A little time and some new plugs I should be able to swap it over to whatever I want.

 

Hello, and this may not be your idea of the Solar thread, but we put 6.2KW on the roof this summer, and I finally hope to get this done for my friends that wanted to see it. At our house, it took several steps. IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE THE STUFF, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE THREAD. Thanks

First: There are TOO MANY options, and every option varies with your utility. The basic options are BUY or LEASE.

LEASE is typically advertised as "free" - they give you stuff, and install, and you get savings, but NOT credits. Since you don't own it, it can complicate any resale of the property if that is in your plan. You don't get tax credits, because you don't pay. They do. This is basically an energy cost saving plan, and can be good.

BUY is typically sold to you with the promise of the Federal Energy Credit - which can include the cost of a new roof, if installed at the same time. You OWN it, so you get the tax credit. (NO ONE knows if the tax credit will be extended - someone hates solar, and most panels are built in China, so you can draw your own conclusion.) When you own the system, you can probably be qualified on your grid as a supplier, and not only will you offset costs, you will create CREDITS on your bill. And you will own the system, so can be sold as part an parcel of your home, if selling.

WHAT WE DID:
We are both retired, I was expecting two more years or so of work, but here we go. I bought a system that should be sufficient to offset the electrical MOST months, and earn credit for the hard months. 1976 suburban tract home, improved insulation, and siding. Gas furnace, stove, and water heater. Pool runs year round. Sunroom with separate mini-split system. Originally, I bought with a loan, during the install, got a "cash offer", so I took some 401K money, and just bought it. The goal is we will see no energy bill. And if we run off to some beach in a few years, it sells with the house!
NO ONE ANSWER IS PERFECT FOR EVERYONE!.

There are 10 steps for us. Skip anything you don't want. There is no real point to providing links to specific equipment - it will change by the time you can use it. It really does get better all the time. I will give a description. I used a local company, local to Central Texas. Like everyone, they don't like to come "all the way" to Lockhart. Buda, Kyle, GTown, RR, 35 corridor, your service will be faster. Logistics you know. And, FYI, I signed up in June, and am finishing in October. I'm told it takes longer, but I was a pain in the ass apparently.
Here are my 10 Phases, and I will TRY to make them "brief" (I am no good at that):
1. Clean Back Wall for Panels (me)
2. Front Trees Cut Down (my cost)
3. Stump Grinding (my cost)
4. Solar Power Attic Fans replacement (package)
5. Radiant Barrier in Attic (package)
6. Re-Roof (package)
7. Mulch & Sod (my cost & labor)
8. Drone Survey (package)
9. Actual Solar Install (package)
10. City Meters, Turnover, & Software Monitor (INCOMPLETE)
System = 17 x 630W Solar Panels = 6.2kW, 6.0 kW Inverter with auto shutdown system. No battery, or off grid at this time.

Here goes. But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 1 - Clean the back wall

Labor only. Panels have to go somewhere. It's still June, so not over 100 every day yet. Got lucky, and the vines stuck together!


Off in one pull!



Easiest job all summer



But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 2 - We had to remove to very large Arizona Ash from the front. Wish I could have waited to prolong summer shade, but the schedule was always very "iffy" throughout, and these trees would take a week for sure. And they did. Five working days. Before complaining.;
they were at 30+ years old - 5 years past normal life
they were diseased and infested with Carpenter Ants
they were a danger to our parked cars, our neighbors, and both houses
they totally blocked a solar addition.
So, down they go in this Readers Digest version.

I brought in the guy who has always "trimmed" them, as much as you can with AZ Ash. Discovered the extent of the disease as we went. The tree on your left in the photo was 36" diameter at the base, the one on the right was 48". A+LumberJackRoy brought a new toy that will make things easier, but actually used it only 3/5 days due to other issues - not the machine. Here is a lot of cut wood, folks.



West



East



Bad Stuff





Bad Enough? Here we go. First. Cool new machine, then some process....






















That was a darn hard 5 days. They did the work. I have stumps, and a yard full of artillery shell holes. But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 3 - It's a Grind

All right. My tree guy recommended a stump grinder, and he has a machine that everyone here would love! Maybe I can convince him to retire, and sell it to me. I called the dig markers, and they were out three times! First, USICS, then the gas, then the gas again! Why twice? Because all the marking they did twice over the winter was looking for a leak! Never found it. He used every tool, still found none. But the gas line is UNDER THE EAST STUMP. Grinder won't touch it - doesn't want to be on the news (again). I concur. Now, I just dump grass clippings on it. The West (picture left) stump was 3' diameter, the East (picture right) was 4'. The big one would not be ground.



Another cool machine shows up at the household



It's a monster. He made two "passes", dropping down a little the second time.











Off it goes, and now we look like this









Some of these activities started to overlap, but I am keeping them separate. I also have FAR too many photos I'm not using! FaceBook gets those! LOL. But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 4 - Solar Fan replacement

This is a quick one. I had two typical AC powered roof vent fans. One worked - sometimes. The other, replaced three times under warranty - still didn't work. Cheap CRAP. I got Solar powered replacements "thrown in" on my package. Yes, I know they don't run after dark. But they run at NO COST to me anytime the sun is out. AND, I am getting a Radiant Barrier put in the attic, so, there should be less heat to exhaust, and regardless of temp, attic air will get exchanged. Off we go!















And it took only a couple hours. Remember the roof is up for replacement, at SOME point in time..... So, on we go. But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 5 - The Radiant Barrier

This won't take long! Anyone want to get in their attic on 4'th of July week? But that is when they showed up. And they were gone in about three hours. I didn't want to "hang out" and take pictures, so there are only a few (amazing, I know...) I did go steal the remote sensor for a thermometer from the garage, and stuck it on the attic stair landing. I will show you before and after. We ONLY did the main section of the house - not the garage and BR window sides you see. Both of those are actually separated in the attic, as they were partial additions long ago.

Late afternoon before they show up (the bottom thermometer is outside temp in all these)


A look up into the new solar fan



Barrier




The following afternoon?


The next morning? Same as outdoor and house!



OK, they got hot, I got COOL! I'm liking this part, and it has proved out to be consistently so. I still have that remote up there, it is 54 outside, and 61 in the attic! But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 6 - New Roofing

July. Damn good month to do a roof in Texas, no matter what part. In fact, once they showed up, they lost day two to a recurring Heat Stroke on the lead guy. Real nice through and through, and when we called the main company, and they called him, he was "not really there"! He'd had a real heat stroke, and I said keep him - it's not going to get cooler, but he can't go up if he's suffering. They also had to dispose of one of the first crew (his freaking SON), who I thought was getting heat stroke - turns out - NO. He had to have two beers before showing up with his dad on his FIRST ever roof! THIS SHIT IS NOT MAKING ME A HAPPY CONSUMER! Anyway, the boss got back, we gave them water supplies and cold bandanas, but it still took 5 working days. Not the two you would expect. But they did fix ALL the bad plywood underneath, and I really enjoyed talking with Juan on breaks. Very conscientious work, and great attitude. Anyway, on with the roof.

Starts with stuff on the roof, which was a surprise on a Friday afternoon, coming home from Happy Hour margaritas! No time frame after that, just some of the process shots.

​

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And that is it for the roof. More entertaining because of the time it took, and the heat. I wanted to go metal, but it was not in the budget, and both came with 25 year warranty - same as the solar system. We'll be gone by then, one way or another. But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 7 - Mulch & Sod

I was going to try to wait this out, but too ugly. Again - July/August is the PERFECT time to handle this, but wife wants it to look better, and so do I. The yard has NO IDEA what to do without the shade! Moved mulch to an area with future plans, found a replacement Crepe Myrtle the wife wanted at 75% off, and had to go almost to Lago Vista to get grass. Because, at this point, you are not buying pieces at Lowe's anymore. At least I bought myself a swamp hat, and my tan was FANTASTIC! And this section shows just how important a Tacoma can be!

The mulch pile shrunk. The Arailia's were dying in the sun, and replacements were got.





Had to bandage the old pitchfork to get going!











week or so later, rebuilt a Troy-Bilt trimmer so I could use the tiller attachment....

























I really needed some explosives....





This picture alone will tell you how fast the grass was drying out in the bed of the truck as I put it in. The city actually gave me a water use warning. Tough.



After things settle in....



And that took me about two week all told. In July/August, it was pretty damn hot, over 100 every day. Wonderful wife would finally make me quit in the afternoon, and that was fine with me. Jump in the pool, then a shower to become human. We are getting there.... But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 8 - Drone Survey

This was one of the COOLEST part of the process. Certified Drone Pilot (No Shit) with FAA license, came out with his almost PRO drone camera. Great kid, and this is YET ANOTHER thing to consider in retirement! Spent a lot of time and effort to get his license, so contracts out for all kinds of stuff - weddings, plot mapping, helping EMS. Cool, fun, lightweight,....MMmmmm?
Anyway,

Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, taking pics, of down on the ground.... bad....













He brought it down some to get details...







And we close it out. Nice guy, great show. I could do this!



OK, after this got done, we went into the ridiculous "permitting process". My choice of an Austin based outfit maybe was not best - they obviously never worked solar in Lockhart, but they do all kind of work, so they probably have subcontracted here. I have a feeling that every step of every thing in Texas would be a learning experience.... But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 9 - The Actual Install!

Remember - I started in process at the beginning of June. It's October, and finally, stuff will be installed. The wall guys came first, then the roof crew, then both. I'd been told one day. Like everything, four days. I'll keep them separate for simplicity.

First pallet of equipment showed up on a Thursday, was told installers would be Friday! Get the packing slip, it's missing the inverter. Get ahold of the solar folks, they didn't know that, but no one is coming Friday anyway. Do I want to keep a ton of aluminum over the weekend? In the rain? NO. Take it back. (Weekend before my first TTC COTA!)





TTC membership is rewarding. New pallet shows up Monday, with all the stuff - 3 packing slips worth! So, let's get to the wall equipment install. On the left, house main feed, meter, and cable box. On the right (behind the rafts), secondary Sun Room panel for the mini-split & power , and actually outside AC air unit is now on that panel.



Inverter up



PV Meter box, and disconnect up



















On the roof!



















That last pic is the Auto Shutdown box on the back roof, and PV cables routed through a PVC piece (because they can't lay on the roof). And it's time for



But, wait, there's more!

 

Phase 10 - Utility Turn on and Monitoring

INCOMPLETE - Only thing remaining is Utility billing, and good metering example of city meter.

I will put links to the current equipment at the bottom of this post.

Three steps to commission -
1. the City Inspector had to come and bless. 5 minutes. Opened nothing. I didn't take his picture.
2. the installers come back, and give it a run through, and I saw it produce its first KW in all this grey weather.





3. the City Utility comes and replaces my meter with a new Bi-Directional meter, and puts my old meter in the PV slot (boo - can't start at 0000), because it is connected to their system. Then then let me throw the switch! Yesterday, they came back and replaced the City meter, because of the error code you see. Today, another guy came and looked at it, and said it was OK. I will have to get some reading instructions, because now it matters.






We Have IGINITION!

City Meter







PV Meter (reading as moved - Tuesday AM)



As of Thursday afternoon



Solar guys came back for final commission, and getting the software running. It's still heavy overcast, so nothing impressive will happen, but we did confirm that everything is running. I could not make the software work UNTIL they did this stuff - that was my problem

Example monitor from the first SUNNY (ish) morning. I did see the meter on the top left go all the way to 6.3 kW a few times. Since there were cirrus clouds, it didn't stay there. But that is max!



The other main monitoring is the daily chart (which has monthly, etc.) Today is the first day with some consistent sun. Yesterday, completely overcast, we still produced about half of this.





UTILITY BILLING AND METERING INFO HERE ON FINAL EDITS.




The KEY equipment:
PV panels:
https://jinkosolar.com/ftp/EN-360M-72-PERC.pdf

Inverter:
https://www.sma.de/en/products/solarinverters/sunny-boy-30-us-38-us-50-us-60-us-70-us-77-us.html

Auto Shut Down:
Does not have a good link. SMA product, same as inverter, German company.

But, wait, there's only a LITTLE more!

 

No Phase - stuff that had to get done when the house and fence were exposed!

This stuff took place along the way because it had to. Had "nothing to do" with solar, had everything to do with trying to make the house look right. (Curb Appeal!)

I had to clean up the front walk. 1988 Landscape timbers, held in with rebar, rotted out (!), replaced with limestone pavers. Curb Appeal, step one!































Well, the tree removal exposed bad fence, and overgrown "landscaping", and that needed to be tended to. So, some extra bucks a Lowe's for fence and gate hardware, and then some brush clearing to GET to the fence that needed fixing, and I am leaving the Hawthorne's by the windows until we AGREE on what will replace.

The Hawthorne are overgrown and leggy from being too close to the house. They only bloom a week anyway.



The Nandina on the front of the fence are a mess, and what used to be a kidney shaped garden in front of it was taken over by dwarf bamboo. It's illegal now. Don't ever get any. It looks dead because I hit it with Round Up.



The front of the fence is actually only connected by one rusty nail!



And, here's the Nandina where I didn't plant it.



So, all of this needs to be cut so I can work on the fence. The Hawthorne will just get cut back for now - will dig them out when we figure out what we want. Off goes this one.....

















And, now I can get to this worn out fence. I had gone around the whole yard in about 1989 with new cedar. Just going to fix the front...



















The hose gizmo is from the West side, I moved it over here because it is 50', soft water, and will reach driveway for car washes. I got a new 75' to replace it. Love having no hose to put away. On to the West side, where the gate had to be forced closed, and looked just as bad.















That's it, I guess. I thought there was one other sidebar, but maybe I just molded it in. So, don't wait, there's no more! Except for the last one - which will Readers Digest the readers Digest. Just for fun.

 

Elvis Readers Digest. "A Little Less Converstion, A Little More Action"! These overlap the phases, in the order it took place. All. Summer. Long. Just before and after processes....

 

Wow, this is one of the best installation process posts I've ever see @Oldie2007 !!! For a guy that usually has a hard time with the techie stuff you did a fantastic job here. Very nice indeed!!

 

Thanks. I really make FB folks suffer. Every. Single. Step! I used to design lighting controls, write manuals, do the prints, QC, Engineering. blah blah . In the "old days", I would be the neighbor with the vacation slides! Thanks much for taking the tour.

 

Most modded house here!!! Love it great write ups an pics.

 

Thanks bud!