Yet Another SD Install 4.5Kw LG 300's SE 5000 in La Costa CA

[hcubed]

OK, sorry, didn't get a chance to snap pics this weekend, but super-clean install, no visible conduit or wiring anywhere, I'll try to get some tomorrow. . .Enjoying the production numbers on the SE site already. . .

Congrats! You need to go out to your meter and watch it run backwards!

[JBinCBad]

OK, sorry, didn't get a chance to snap pics this weekend, but super-clean install, no visible conduit or wiring anywhere, I'll try to get some tomorrow. . .Enjoying the production numbers on the SE site already. . .

[inetdog]

That's pretty quick to get the city and SDGE inspection done. Most people in SD have reported much longer (a week or more on average). Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

JBinCBad, it will be easiest for you to post and for us to view the pictures if you can host them on a third party site like PhotoBucket and just put a link to the album in your post here.
It also keeps the bandwidth cost on our server down.

[thejq]

Quick update:
Panels look great, conduit is virtually invisible. SDGE came out and inspected yesterday, and I turned it on this am. Haven't gotten a chance to take pics yet, but everything looks great, and I'm generating already. It really was basically a one-day job once things got started. I'm pretty stoked on things thus far, after a rocky start. Communication and adjusting my expectations as to when things would be done are the only areas of gripe, otherwise a happy camper. I'll take pics over the weekend, I think the panels look pretty cool (all black on black rails).

That's pretty quick to get the city and SDGE inspection done. Most people in SD have reported much longer (a week or more on average). Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

[mungosocal]

If you don't have your ATO, I don't think you want to generate. My understanding at least.

[JBinCBad]

Quick update:
Panels look great, conduit is virtually invisible. SDGE came out and inspected yesterday, and I turned it on this am. Haven't gotten a chance to take pics yet, but everything looks great, and I'm generating already. It really was basically a one-day job once things got started. I'm pretty stoked on things thus far, after a rocky start. Communication and adjusting my expectations as to when things would be done are the only areas of gripe, otherwise a happy camper. I'll take pics over the weekend, I think the panels look pretty cool (all black on black rails).

[inetdog]

I received 3 skids of panels here, they got bounced around over my uneven lawn, and 2 years later
every one is doing fine. I m amazed just how much they will endure without damage. Bruce Roe

That is for framed panels that are designed well.
I just saw an indication that the Renology semi-flexible (rigid mono cells on a flexible substrate!) are nowhere near as forgiving.
Frameless rigid panels are still open to question too.

PS: One of my friends has an 80" flat screen TV he bought from Costco and has to move ~100 miles twice a year. Even keeping the original box the first move broke it. Fortunately the Costco warranty is beyond reason.
But he now tapes a sheet of 1/4 plywood solidly to the case, covering the screen, each time he moves it.

[bcroe]

I noticed they delivered 18 panels the other day, I wonder how many come DOA or if they accommodate for potential breakage. Would luv to increase my capacity with the "extras" but I'm sure that wouldn't work with the permit and limited extra space I have.

I received 3 skids of panels here, they got bounced around over my uneven lawn, and 2 years later
every one is doing fine. I m amazed just how much they will endure without damage. Bruce Roe

[newe70]

Yep, as an attorney I'm familiar with the business dynamics of a mechanics lien, and I understand they have to protect their interests. House had half the panels up last night, hopefully it will be done today, SDGE inspection next week. I'm very happy with the conduit run as well, they put it under the eaves and color-matched my paint scheme, so its virtually invisible.

If you have a chance, would you mind sharing some of the pictures of how your installer did the conduit work? My installation is about 3-4 weeks away.

[JBinCBad]

Yep, as an attorney I'm familiar with the business dynamics of a mechanics lien, and I understand they have to protect their interests. House had half the panels up last night, hopefully it will be done today, SDGE inspection next week. I'm very happy with the conduit run as well, they put it under the eaves and color-matched my paint scheme, so its virtually invisible.

I noticed they delivered 18 panels the other day, I wonder how many come DOA or if they accommodate for potential breakage. Would luv to increase my capacity with the "extras" but I'm sure that wouldn't work with the permit and limited extra space I have.

I'm hoping at this point that all my frustrations re delay and lack of communication are over, and the quality of their install and products can shine through. Things are looking up

[inetdog]

The lien is just SOP, no need to worry about that. Just don't pay until they perform. That is state law.

If they do not give you the lien paperwork right away, they can lose the ability to file a lien later. As said, just SOP.
It is usually more of a problem when there are subcontractors who each file their own lien in case the General Contractor collects the money from you and does not pay them. (In those cases you can end up paying double and trying to sue the GC who is going out of business. )

[skipro3]

The lien is just SOP, no need to worry about that. Just don't pay until they perform. That is state law.

[JBinCBad]

You guys are right, although the city approved the plans, the guy that showed up this morning (who was alone, without plans, and had to use the bathroom) had no idea where the conduit was going to be run. The then asked to go into a garage closet. . . I called the sales manager, and was informed another foreman was enroute, but it wasn't as smooth as I had hoped (there was 6 weeks in inactivity preceding today, where someone could have figured this out).

I think we hashed out the conduit run issue, but I've been at work all day, so I hope when I get home I see something reasonable, but the two gusy sent out didn't even have anything to cut through stucco, so I'm not expecting much progress today. They did, however, send me three bills electronically, with the implied threat of a mechanic's lien attached. IMHO not the most professional way to handle that aspect.

[hcubed]

Talk to your installers when they arrive and go over conduit routing. Ask them what their game plan is. If you have a different plan in mind, share it with them. Most contractors understand that aesthetics matter. On the other hand if you drive around any neighborhood, you can find examples of the those who do not.

Good luck.

Definitely agree with thejq and SanDiego_installer. The one thing I wish I had done was to draw up my idea of the conduit routing and given that to my installer. I thought we were on the same page when we talked but I think something got lost in translation to the worker who did the actual work. In the end, it all worked out as my installer re-routed things very nicely (see my previous post with pictures).

[SanDiego_installer]

Talk to your installers when they arrive and go over conduit routing. Ask them what their game plan is. If you have a different plan in mind, share it with them. Most contractors understand that aesthetics matter. On the other hand if you drive around any neighborhood, you can find examples of the those who do not.

Good luck.