Looking for a kit seller with reliable phone support

[khanh dam]

never said owners couldn't do it, just some jurisdictions make it so hard it's easier not to diy. if you didn't make your own false assumptions you wouldn't get so worked up over nothing.

http://www.cityofconcord.org/Search?searchPhrase=solar

for the OP this is the type of paperwork you will have to fill out if you DIY it. the city of Concord will not make you do structural calcs according to their solar guide lines if the racking manufacture can provide the data.

[foo1bar]

now you want me to rewatch it and point out stuff for what grand purpose, so you and I can debate something that I'm obviously right about?

If you don't want to listen to it, that's fine. The part you specifically mentioned at ~16:30 he apparently IS being treated the same as other contractors.
And that he apparently finished the installation is evidence that you're wrong, but feel free to believe that you are right.

[khanh dam]

you did not listen to the whole thing, but yet you can conclude how he was treated because you listed to part of it? and now you want me to rewatch it and point out stuff for what grand purpose, so you and I can debate something that I'm obviously right about? give me a break, got better things to do than engage in this drivel.

[foo1bar]

youtube video rant was from California. and I hightly doubt every single California permit department has the same rules. My comments are spot on, permitting is the biggest hassle with a first install and hopefully the OP will get lucky and have no issues

I listened to a few minutes of the guy's blathering. At ~16:30 he complains about how he had to have structural calcs done for City of Palmdale and it cost him $200 to have them done.
I didn't hear him say that he was treated any differently as an owner-builder than he would have been treated as a contractor.
Stamped structural calcs are not an unusual request of contractors. My city expects them as well. Fortunately they have an exception/waiver that they don't require the calcs if the attachment points are every 4' (or less) and 24" OC rafters and a few other requirements. The requirements were easy enough for me to do so rather than do the calcs I just took that route.

Since it appears this guy actually did the install, I think it directly contradicts your assertion that owner builder is doable "IN THEORY, BUT NOT IN PRACTICE"
He actually did it. I did it. Many others have done it.
IMO if anything I'm probably treated better than the contractors - they know I live in the city and they're there to support me and other citizens of the city. While contractors are most likely from some other city. Of course I try to be friendly, so that probably helps. I'm not like the guy in the video that is ranting about "I hate the city of Palmdale. I used to work for them and I hate them because of when I worked there."

does it sound like in his experience he was treated like any other contractor?

From what I listened to - yes it sounds like he was treated like any other contractor.
I didn't listen to the whole thing, so if there are specific parts that you think he wasn't treated the same, maybe you can point out what time in that video.

[khanh dam]

Apparently your comment was not made up but it is certainly not relevant to this thread about a California installation. foo1bar specifically referred to California AHJs and you bring up an example from North Carolina.

youtube video rant was from California. and I hightly doubt every single California permit department has the same rules. My comments are spot on, permitting is the biggest hassle with a first install and hopefully the OP will get lucky and have no issues

[Ampster]

charlotte, nc requires a cash bond for a big solar install, please do not throw out false accusations just because you have not had issues doesn't mean AHJ's out there can be a hassle to others..........

Apparently your comment was not made up but it is certainly not relevant to this thread about a California installation. foo1bar specifically referred to California AHJs and you bring up an example from North Carolina.

[khanh dam]

charlotte, nc requires a cash bond for a big solar install, please do not throw out false accusations just because you have not had issues doesn't mean AHJ's out there can be a hassle to others. Here is a video of a person in CA that had to pay hundreds more for engineer work look at receipt at 16 min mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8FruT97Qw8

potty mouth, but does it sound like in his experience he was treated like any other contractor? No he was treated so badly he decided to make a potty mouth video about it. so no I do not make up stuff to scare people I tell the truth, dont' minimize other's experiences.

[foo1bar]

IN THEORY, BUT NOT IN PRACTICE. They can throw road blocks up like requiring a stuctural engineer to sign off, elelctrical engineer stamps, $2000 cash bonds, etc. Makes it so difficult you might as well hire a contractor to pull the permit for you becuase it is cheaper.

Hasn't been my experience.
My experience is they treat an owner-builder the same as any other contractor.
About the only difference I've noticed in my current city is that they make sure you're aware that pulling an owner-builder permit and hiring an unlicensed contractor to do the work is illegal. I think that's because they have seen enough unlicensed and poor quality contractors do shoddy work and they're trying to protect the citizens of the city from fly-by-night handymen who have the owner pull the permit.

I don't think that an AHJ in CA can require a cash bond of an owner-builder. Is there a city/county/town where you've encountered this? Because it looks to me like you're just making up stuff to scare people.

[PNW_Steve]

I have installed two Renogy "kits" on buses. In both cases the bus owner contacted Renogy with their needs and Renogy put together a kit. Both were well done.

I did have to call Renogy with some questions and found their tech support to be solid.

[khanh dam]

I believe that MOST cities HAVE to let you DIY as an owner-builder. .

IN THEORY, BUT NOT IN PRACTICE. They can throw road blocks up like requiring a stuctural engineer to sign off, elelctrical engineer stamps, $2000 cash bonds, etc. Makes it so difficult you might as well hire a contractor to pull the permit for you becuase it is cheaper.

[Mike90250]

After you dissed 2 of the 3 reputable kit sellers I I know of, and then want an answer by looking at another thread. AND having several other seasoned replies say essentially the same thing I said, I guess you are in for a fun time. Engineers, Electricians, and well rounded Handyman can often pull off a successful design & install. Welcome to the club

[peakbagger]

The sellers also have to be careful about design liability, if they make a recommendation and the caller implements it and has a failure or injury the seller is potentially liable. in some states, handing out free technical advise linked to a sale is bordering on a letter from the state board of professional engineering inquiring about the firms license status

[foo1bar]

What the OP doesn't understand is that there aren't really any "kits" that will fit all customer requirements so it may not be worth even looking for them.

You first have to determine your watt hour needs are and then "build" the system from that using components that may be included in some type of "kit" but more than likely come from multiple hardware sources.

My experience is that I found "kits" at 3 vendors.
Wholesale Solar and another were essentially "Here's what you'd buy if you want to do a X kw size system".
And I found those useful to look at to see "what would they sell as a packaged kit". I talked to one of them, and they were quite willing to add/subtract items to match what I needed.
Renvu was a slightly more customized 'kit' from the start - you put in various parameters and it gave you a part list (and prices) for that setup. Then you could add/remove items beyond that. (IIRC, I even had them add an item that wasn't normally on their website, but that they could easily get the part)

[SunEagle]

I believe that MOST cities HAVE to let you DIY as an owner-builder. They are not allowed to require you to hire a contractor. (they can encourage you to do that, but they can't require it)
I don't know all state's laws, but that's certainly the way it is in many states, including CA, which is where the OP is from.

I think having the electrical plans reviewed by the AHJ is normal part of the process whether it's DIY or a contractor.

I agree with you that a DIY is possible for the OP.

What the OP doesn't understand is that there aren't really any "kits" that will fit all customer requirements so it may not be worth even looking for them.

You first have to determine your watt hour needs are and then "build" the system from that using components that may be included in some type of "kit" but more than likely come from multiple hardware sources.

[foo1bar]

the tricky and annoying part is the permit process. most inspectors are going to triple check everything you do since this is your first system. IN fact many cities will flat out NOT let you DIY unless you hire an electrician and/or get the electrical plans reviewed.

I believe that MOST cities HAVE to let you DIY as an owner-builder. They are not allowed to require you to hire a contractor. (they can encourage you to do that, but they can't require it)
I don't know all state's laws, but that's certainly the way it is in many states, including CA, which is where the OP is from.

I think having the electrical plans reviewed by the AHJ is normal part of the process whether it's DIY or a contractor.