Some guy on Ccraigslist selling Solar panels said you can install solar panels yourself without any city permit , all you need to let your HOA and Utility company know. Is this true ?
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do you need any city permit to install your own solar panels in Texas ?
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You need an interconnect agreement with Power company which is a contract and much more than "letting them know" since they have to approve.
You generally need an electric permit as well, though you didn't mention the particular city.
We have had very few that do not require permits and they were very rural.OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNH -
I would never trust what "some guy on craigslist" says.
I installed our solar panels myself.
I live in a town where permits are not required.
This is the fifth home that I have owned. I have never owned a home within a HOA.
I am not sure what exactly you would want to be telling a Utility company? Early on, I spoke with our utility company, I got their contract and learned how they handle / view net-metering. I decided to avoid net-metering. For us, going off-grid has not required any conversation with the utility company.
4400w, Midnite Classic 150 charge-controller.Comment
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Highly unlikely.
You need an interconnect agreement with Power company which is a contract and much more than "letting them know" since they have to approve.
You generally need an electric permit as well, though you didn't mention the particular city.
We have had very few that do not require permits and they were very rural.
4400w, Midnite Classic 150 charge-controller.Comment
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It is the legal contract allowing you to feed power back to the grid with out being fined, and to get some compensation for it, regardless of net metering.
OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNHComment
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Net-metering contract is the monetary agreement between you and the PoCo.
Sometimes they are covered in 1 agreement but not always.
WWWComment
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As 'grid-assist' I have grid power availability [when the grid is up]. I can use it as an 'Aux-Input' into my system just like using a generator. This does not require any separate contract with the utility.
4400w, Midnite Classic 150 charge-controller.Comment
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I am in houston. . if i use a plugged system which is the solar system plugged into a 240 volts outlet. Do i still get permission from the power company ?Comment
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If you want to do an independent (expensive, battery-backed) system, yes the craiglist guy is correct that you can get away without a permit (If you ask your building dept. - they might say otherwise). But if you intend to do the efficient, cost effective choice of being grid-tied (like 98% of all solar systems), then your Utility is going to require you to be permitted with a licensed installer using new, listed equipment. An exemption beng our utility here does allow you to backfeed less than 1000watts without an interconnect agreement.BSEE, R11, NABCEP, Chevy BoltEV, >3000kW installedComment
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thank you everyone for the help. I know that I don't need to hire an electrician plug electric stove to a 240 volts outlet. Can I use plugged solar system into 240 volts outlet so I don't have to pay electrician ? To me this is the cheapest grid tie DIY without involve any expert. You only needed a electrician if you need to install a 240 Volts outlet.Comment
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thank you everyone for the help. I know that I don't need to hire an electrician plug electric stove to a 240 volts outlet. Can I use plugged solar system into 240 volts outlet so I don't have to pay electrician ? To me this is the cheapest grid tie DIY without involve any expert. You only needed a electrician if you need to install a 240 Volts outlet.
In most locations you do not need to hire an electrician if you can do the work yourself, but you do need a permit, inspections, and interconnect agreement.OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNHComment
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If you want to do an independent (expensive, battery-backed) system, yes the craiglist guy is correct that you can get away without a permit (If you ask your building dept. - they might say otherwise). But if you intend to do the efficient, cost effective choice of being grid-tied (like 98% of all solar systems), then your Utility is going to require you to be permitted with a licensed installer using new, listed equipment. An exemption beng our utility here does allow you to backfeed less than 1000watts without an interconnect agreement.
Just because you are off grid doesn't mean you don't need a permit and to do things safly.OutBack FP1 w/ CS6P-250P http://bit.ly/1Sg5VNHComment
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IMO using a plug-in inverter is about like using a charcoal grill inside - sure it can be done - might even get away with it for a long time. BUT you are running a serious risk of a fire and having the insurance deny your claim when they find out you're doing something so stupid.
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I have heard of people using Sunny Boy 2500 grid tie inverters with a 220 volt dryer cord plugged into a 220 dryer outlet. Not totally kosher with the POCO but it does work.2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024Comment
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SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.Comment
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