Originally posted by justcerfin
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For me my solar adventure started last year when I got a few quotes from top installer companies with the cheapest one being $4.5/W installed. All of 3 quotes were using non-USA panels, and were charging premium for them. I decided to get into solar, and I do believe in solar having bright future, and I to me solar panels make house better looking. I enjoy tapping my SMA inverter at the end of the day to see how it did, and I like analyzing pv performance data.
This is my second time around performing solar on my own home. On the first install I chose to do everything myself so I gain the experience on how to do the job right, and how to verify that the job is done right if I don’t do it myself. I read NEC 2011 electrical code, and I had my C-10 electrical contractor friend go over main panel safety and share tips on conduit bending, and I checked with him my understanding of grounding code. I enjoyed hanging the inverter, installing the AC disconnect, installing Solar C/B in the main, and bending / installing conduit. My wife liked feeding the wires. I invited friends to “haul my 8 panels to the roof” party – beer/pizza/wings provided after the job. Didn’t enjoyed much roof attachment install in the sun – but I did make sure that every lag screw hit the 2x4, and every attachment was double flashed.
This time around I am performing only the work I enjoyed doing first time – installing inverter, disconnects, conduit, circuit breaker, but I find a roofer to install attachments on my second floor on Spanish tile roof. Regardless who performs my installation, I will go into my attic and double check that each lag screw hit the rafter, and that none of the rafters splintered, and I double check that flashing is properly done.
The help I need this time is a roofer with solar experience. Note that a lot of roofers do not have solar experience. What you want is somebody who works / worked for a big solar company ( if worked then ask why he left).Does not need to be licensed contractor – but needs to have good work ethic, I needs to agree to my expectations – guaranteed rafter hit (I verify each one and help a few fix if needed), correctly double flash (I verify a few), and replace all cracked tile (I provide replacement). Also the help will sign:
1) release of any liability due to personal injury
2) release of subcontractor liability
My project is 16 panels, 5.3kw. I estimate I need to hire 4 man-days of work, 48 hours total, and I will pay to pay $50 hour cash for an experienced solar installer who works for one the big companies and knows what he is doing, and less for less experienced help. Total $2500, or $0.5 per watt. Note – I will do a day’s work myself.
I got a few numbers from installers who work for big solar companies and my first choice to have them install, but not through their company. Ultimately what matters is the person performing installation. I talked to them and they understand what needs to be done. I don’t need any warranty – just job done right and paying only for the job done right.
Ultimately if you choose not to use a good company you need to be able to verify that the job is done right, and you will not get any warranty. I am a firm believer that paying more does not guarantee good installation, but you yourself can make sure the job is done right, and you don’t need to pay $200/hour to get a good installation.
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