I'm in the planning stages for a ~ 4kW system on my roof in NE Tucson. I've got a few initial questions, and I'm sure I'll have more as things progress.
Personal background: I have an MSEE, have done a small 12V/230Ah solar system on a Sprinter, have a decent amount of experience w/ mechanical work (competent TIG welder, woodworker, bike mechanic, etc). Worked in hardware stores in high school, worked at a nuclear plant in college, and have dealt w/ modest electrical work during remodels, so am not naive about electric power, but much of the detail of a grid-tie install will be new to me. Comfortable w/ DIY and lean toward professional approaches versus hacks. Early retired, so view this work as productive stimulation, the $$ saviings is nice, but not the dominant motivation.
System: pretty modest ~4kW scale system, so 12 or so panels, intend to use Enphase microinverters and Ironridge racking, REC315 is tentative module choice but still shopping, roof is low-slope (~ 1:12) and will likely use tilt legs. Coincidentally, its also time to re-coat the white elastomeric on my roof, so I'd like to get the bases/feet figured out pretty soon, so I can install them before doing the re-coat.
Power company is TEP and they have an annual revision to the export price on residential solar. That occurs Oct. 1 and will almost certainly drop 10%. The rate at the time of your application is locked in for 10 years. My point here is that I need to get my application into TEP asap, which requires system line drawings and other details. Ideally in the next 15-30 days, so I can avoid any last-minute details delaying my application and forcing me into a lower export rate.
Blah, blah, blah . . . my immediate questions:
1) Design service recommendations. Given the urgency of my TPE application, I think that a design service would be worth the money. I've seen various companies online that will provide the drawings, stickers, etc needed for permits and utility applications; you input the components and site info. $250-300 seems the lowest from reputable providers for this largely hands-off, low/no support approach. Even better would be a local design service that could provide marginally more service: feedback on the initial system specs, guidance about regional gotchas, etc.
Can anyone recommend an AZ based design service? Ideally Tucson, or at least aware of TEP reqs if not in Tucson.
Any first-person experiences w/ other (non-AZ) providers of this type of service?
2) Material suppliers. Can anyone recommend low cost vendors for primary components? I want to get the panels and racking in AZ, so I can avoid freight costs. I get to PHX and Flagstaff periodically, and can easily fit panels and rails in my Sprinter. I'm considering Northern Arizona Wind/Solar, pricing seems OK. CEDGreentech in PHX quoted me better pricing on the Ironridge products, and about the same on Enphase. Where else should I be looking at? Happy to go further afield for the smaller components (Enphase, etc) since shipping $$ is modest.
3) Regional guidance. Anyone local that wants of offer tips, please do so. Familiarity w/ the TEP applications, Pima County permitting, system trade-offs at our latitude, things you would have done different . . . everything is welcome.
Personal background: I have an MSEE, have done a small 12V/230Ah solar system on a Sprinter, have a decent amount of experience w/ mechanical work (competent TIG welder, woodworker, bike mechanic, etc). Worked in hardware stores in high school, worked at a nuclear plant in college, and have dealt w/ modest electrical work during remodels, so am not naive about electric power, but much of the detail of a grid-tie install will be new to me. Comfortable w/ DIY and lean toward professional approaches versus hacks. Early retired, so view this work as productive stimulation, the $$ saviings is nice, but not the dominant motivation.
System: pretty modest ~4kW scale system, so 12 or so panels, intend to use Enphase microinverters and Ironridge racking, REC315 is tentative module choice but still shopping, roof is low-slope (~ 1:12) and will likely use tilt legs. Coincidentally, its also time to re-coat the white elastomeric on my roof, so I'd like to get the bases/feet figured out pretty soon, so I can install them before doing the re-coat.
Power company is TEP and they have an annual revision to the export price on residential solar. That occurs Oct. 1 and will almost certainly drop 10%. The rate at the time of your application is locked in for 10 years. My point here is that I need to get my application into TEP asap, which requires system line drawings and other details. Ideally in the next 15-30 days, so I can avoid any last-minute details delaying my application and forcing me into a lower export rate.
Blah, blah, blah . . . my immediate questions:
1) Design service recommendations. Given the urgency of my TPE application, I think that a design service would be worth the money. I've seen various companies online that will provide the drawings, stickers, etc needed for permits and utility applications; you input the components and site info. $250-300 seems the lowest from reputable providers for this largely hands-off, low/no support approach. Even better would be a local design service that could provide marginally more service: feedback on the initial system specs, guidance about regional gotchas, etc.
Can anyone recommend an AZ based design service? Ideally Tucson, or at least aware of TEP reqs if not in Tucson.
Any first-person experiences w/ other (non-AZ) providers of this type of service?
2) Material suppliers. Can anyone recommend low cost vendors for primary components? I want to get the panels and racking in AZ, so I can avoid freight costs. I get to PHX and Flagstaff periodically, and can easily fit panels and rails in my Sprinter. I'm considering Northern Arizona Wind/Solar, pricing seems OK. CEDGreentech in PHX quoted me better pricing on the Ironridge products, and about the same on Enphase. Where else should I be looking at? Happy to go further afield for the smaller components (Enphase, etc) since shipping $$ is modest.
3) Regional guidance. Anyone local that wants of offer tips, please do so. Familiarity w/ the TEP applications, Pima County permitting, system trade-offs at our latitude, things you would have done different . . . everything is welcome.
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