Pros and Cons of Solar Energy: Pros and Cons of Buying Solar Panel Kits

[vintovka]

[QUOTE=NABCEP Russ;18560]1. Lagging every rafter is ridiculous and a large expense. A properly flashed attachment point costs about $35 to install. Say a typical, code compliant install has 50 roof penetrations. Lagging every rafter would triple that number to 150, costing an extra $3,500. If you use a reputable manufacturer's mounting hardware, follow the engineering guidelines, & check to make sure every rafter was a direct hit with the lag bolt you will be fine. Every major mounting system like UniRac and Ironridge has been designed by structural engineers. You should follow their recommendations, not waste money on excessive holes in your roof.


I would not sign off on any install design without full lagging located in a wind dominant area. I find wind to be the primary force for design basis in almost every design. Even earthquake forces seem less in most cases. As for costs I see contract labor always being more than equipment. Extra hardware is a comfort when the wind is ripping at your panels and labor is gone. Extra hardware (like rebar) in some of the countries I've worked in could and would contibue to save untold numbers of lives.

[Naptown]

Net metering will vary state to state.
The best place to check out the rules for your location if you are in the US is
dsireusa.org They will have links to the net metering laws in your state

[Sunking]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to ask a quick question as to the requirements from an electric co-op when installing a grid-tie system. I am in a rural area where permits I don't believe are required but have not researched it as of yet. Just wondering if the co-op would pick up the tab when it comes time to tie into the grid and if not what would they charge?

Thanks

Coops policies vary widely, and in most cases do not fall under public utility commission control. Here in TX most of the Coops will not even allow grid tied systems because there is no benefit. The ones who do allow them only pay wholesale prices for the excess you generate. None I know of will pay you one dime of subsidies as that would raise the coop members utility rates.

[russ]

You really need to sit down with the appropriate person from the electrical co-op to talk about the possibilities and the problems.

Bring the problem areas back and maybe the guys can assist you in getting around them.

Russ

[Mike90250]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to ask a quick question as to the requirements from an electric co-op when installing a grid-tie system. I am in a rural area where permits I don't believe are required but have not researched it as of yet. Just wondering if the co-op would pick up the tab when it comes time to tie into the grid and if not what would they charge?

Thanks

Each system has it's own rules and guidelines. Generally, they want an electrical inspection, (county or their own) and data certifying all is safe to connect to the grid (UL specs on the gear used in the solar system)

They cover no charges, you pay it all.

[Pepelepew]

Power Company Requirements and Rebates Available?

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to ask a quick question as to the requirements from an electric co-op when installing a grid-tie system. I am in a rural area where permits I don't believe are required but have not researched it as of yet. Just wondering if the co-op would pick up the tab when it comes time to tie into the grid and if not what would they charge?

Thanks

[Mike90250]

Russ,
Did you hop over to Sunking's for BBQ and pick up some scratchy sandpaper ??

I'm busy for a couple days, and at least this looks like you've all got it sorted out on your own.

Welcome NABCEP Russ

Mike

[russ]

Hi NABCEP Russ - Welcome to Solar Panel Talk then!

We always look forward to input from people in the industry. I expect that 95% plus of the buyers of solar systems have little idea of what they are getting into. It is all too easy for them to have a bad experience.

That is what we would like to try to prevent.

Russ

[NABCEP Russ]

Thank you for the explanation about the degree. It is important to forum member to know where people are coming from - what the basis is.

I welcome people as I see they ask to be welcomed. Generally I am quite easy going but have never turned down an argument either.

Don't really mean to be abrasive but you come on strong - for a first time poster. You don't know abrasive until you tangle with Sunking!

So the certificate from NABCEP is in sales I guess.

Russ

I apologize for coming on strong. I forget sometimes how the anonymity of the internet makes things come across.

And no, the certification is not in sales, but in installation. See Here

I've been in charge of the installation of thousands of solar panels and have been doing this for some time now. I feel I have a lot I can contribute to this site pulling from my industry experience.

[russ]

Thank you for the explanation about the degree. It is important to forum member to know where people are coming from - what the basis is.

I welcome people as I see they ask to be welcomed. Generally I am quite easy going but have never turned down an argument either.

Don't really mean to be abrasive but you come on strong - for a first time poster. You don't know abrasive until you tangle with Sunking!

So the certificate from NABCEP is in sales I guess.

Russ

[NABCEP Russ]

You are a tiresome sort are you not?

What is your degree? Asking for the 3rd time?

Post #29

"My degree is in Civil Engineering, my professional career has been involved with a mixture of electrical, structural, and land development work."

I haven't dropped the subject because every post I've made since I joined the site has been met with an unnecessarily abrasive reply from you. I joined with the intention of providing some quality advice and content to the site but have been thoroughly discouraged to do so by you the moderator. Not a great way to encourage people to contribute to your site

[russ]

You are a tiresome sort are you not?

What is your degree? Asking for the 3rd time?

[NABCEP Russ]

Specify/clarify what you intend to say - What you stated above as a generality is incorrect. Also specify that you are talking about one state I suppose.

As there are members worldwide it is difficult to guess when someone starts discussing one small state.

I have no interest in looking up the states problems.

Russ

Sure it's not correct as a generality across all fields of engineering in every country in the world, but in most states in the US, in the field we're discussing it is the case. I thought it was assumed I wasn't talking about mechanical, aerospace, or even sanitation engineering because that's not the field we're talking about.

[russ]

Yes, but in most States, the legal use of the term engineering regarding what an organization is practicing is limited to that which is done under the supervision of a licensed PE. Sure most of the grunt work is done by non PE's, but a group of non PE's cannot get together and design something and then legally represent their work as engineering.

Specify/clarify what you intend to say - What you stated above as a generality is incorrect. Also specify that you are talking about one state I suppose.

As there are members worldwide it is difficult to guess when someone starts discussing one small state.

I have no interest in looking up the states problems.

Russ

[NABCEP Russ]

@ NABCEP Russ - For your edification and reading pleasure. Not the best source as it is the Wiki but adequate.

Some states issue generic Professional Engineering licenses. Others, known as "discipline states", issue licenses for specific disciplines of engineering, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. In all cases, however, engineers are ethically required to limit their practice to their area of competency, which is usually a small portion of a discipline. While licensing boards do not often enforce this limitation, it can be a factor in negligence lawsuits. In a few states, licensed Civil Engineers may also perform land surveys.


In addition to the person's licensure, most states require that firms engaged in providing engineering services are authorized to do so. For instance, the State of Florida issues a Certificate of Authorization to firms that are owned by a Professional Engineer.


Civil engineers account for a large portion of licensed Professional Engineers. In Texas, for example, about one-third of licenses are for civil engineers, and civil exams make up over half of the exams taken.[11][12] Many of the remainder are mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers whose practice involves areas that states regulate, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for buildings or public infrastructure. However, some engineers in other fields obtain licenses for the ability to serve as professional witnesses, or just for prestige, even though they may never actually sign and seal design documents.


Since regulation of the practice of engineering is performed by the individual states in the U.S., areas of engineering involved in interstate commerce are essentially unregulated. These areas include much of Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, and may be specifically exempted from regulation under an "Industrial Exemption". An industrial exemption covers engineers who design products such as automobiles that are sold (or have the potential to be sold) outside the state in which they are produced, as well as the equipment used to produce the product. Structures subject to building codes are not covered by an industrial exemption, though small residential buildings often do not require an engineer's seal. In many jurisdictions, the role of architects and structural engineers overlap.


Many private companies employ non-degreed workers in technical positions with engineering titles such as "test engineer" or "field engineer". Such position may not require an engineering degree at the discretion of the company. It is important however, to make a distinction between a "graduate engineer" and a "professional (or licensed) engineer". A "graduate engineer" is anyone holding a degree in engineering from an accredited four-year university.

Best Regards
Russ

If this discrepancy is the point you are making, then I agree wholeheartedly with you.