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  • #16
    Since you will be tying into your electric panel, and thus to the grid, most utilities require you to have a solar certified installer do the connections. If you were going just off grid that is not required.
    I had a 1480 watt off grid system/battery back up, self installed. When I went grid tied (and added 4840 more watts more) I had to use such an installer. The installer (master electrician) told me that what I had was safe, but he had to make a few minor changes, along with installing the new array and wiring. It had to meet code and what I had done would have a few years (?) ago, but changes in the code required the alterations. He said if mine had been done before those changes it would have passed inspection. I was too busy on other things to watch for what he had to change, thus I don't know. Point is that you should not do it yourself and try to fool the electric company, even if you are using micro inverters that may not immediately be found by the utility. If anything whent wrong at the pole or beyond, caused by you, you don't have deep enough pockets to pay the liability and your insurance would not cover it.
    6,32 KW solar, net metered, maple syrup producer.

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    • #17
      Originally posted by maple flats View Post
      Since you will be tying into your electric panel, and thus to the grid, most utilities require you to have a solar certified installer do the connections. If you were going just off grid that is not required.
      I had a 1480 watt off grid system/battery back up, self installed. When I went grid tied (and added 4840 more watts more) I had to use such an installer. The installer (master electrician) told me that what I had was safe, but he had to make a few minor changes, along with installing the new array and wiring. It had to meet code and what I had done would have a few years (?) ago, but changes in the code required the alterations. He said if mine had been done before those changes it would have passed inspection. I was too busy on other things to watch for what he had to change, thus I don't know. Point is that you should not do it yourself and try to fool the electric company, even if you are using micro inverters that may not immediately be found by the utility. If anything whent wrong at the pole or beyond, caused by you, you don't have deep enough pockets to pay the liability and your insurance would not cover it.
      The certified installer thing actually varies state to state. NY may have the requirement along with PA and Conn but that is all I know of.
      Mostly it has to do with the state rebates (at least in PA)
      NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

      [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

      [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

      [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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      • #18
        Originally posted by maple flats View Post
        Since you will be tying into your electric panel, and thus to the grid, most utilities require you to have a solar certified installer do the connections. If you were going just off grid that is not required.
        I had a 1480 watt off grid system/battery back up, self installed. When I went grid tied (and added 4840 more watts more) I had to use such an installer. The installer (master electrician) told me that what I had was safe, but he had to make a few minor changes, along with installing the new array and wiring. It had to meet code and what I had done would have a few years (?) ago, but changes in the code required the alterations. He said if mine had been done before those changes it would have passed inspection. I was too busy on other things to watch for what he had to change, thus I don't know. Point is that you should not do it yourself and try to fool the electric company, even if you are using micro inverters that may not immediately be found by the utility. If anything whent wrong at the pole or beyond, caused by you, you don't have deep enough pockets to pay the liability and your insurance would not cover it.
        Are you suggesting that even if i use micro inverters, and install only the roof racks, panels and do the wiring to the disconnect switch, that if there was a problem with the panels I would not be covered by insurance?

        I just want to do this right/safe and of course without breaking the bank. So i guess i'm just trying to figure out how much i can do before calling an electrician to do the rest.

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        • #19
          Originally posted by SolarQuadrant View Post
          Incentives are for the total cost of the project including labor and subcontracting expenses; some electrician quote per fixture some do T&M or for larger house re-wiring it is usually lump sum; It probably is not more than a couple of days of work to complete the wiring and connections to the main panel. Our local electrician is around $125/hour if we have him over for shorter visit; usually try to consolidate work so it is a full days of work for him in the area.
          My home install appears as simple as could be. I pretty sure i read the wires can run down the side of a home and if that's the case, this should be fairly simple. Its a short run from the roof to my main panel.

          Thanks for the info!

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          • #20
            Originally posted by nezz621 View Post
            Are you suggesting that even if i use micro inverters, and install only the roof racks, panels and do the wiring to the disconnect switch, that if there was a problem with the panels I would not be covered by insurance?

            I just want to do this right/safe and of course without breaking the bank. So i guess i'm just trying to figure out how much i can do before calling an electrician to do the rest.
            Here is what you need to do
            1 determine if the AHJ will allow you to do a self install (Where I live the answer is no on the electrical part and yes on bolting to the roof)
            If you are allowed to do the electrical work you would need to permit the work and have it inspected and approved which you will need for the interconnect anyway.
            NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

            [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

            [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

            [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

            Comment

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