DIY solar panel tax credit

[kevinva]

Hi,

Does anybody know if the 30% federal solar tax credit applies to DIY projects as well as complete off-the-shelf systems? If so, can I just submit the receipts for the cells, frame, Slygard, inverters, wire, etc to get the credit?

Thanks,
Kevin

[inetdog]

Hi,

Does anybody know if the 30% federal tax credit applies to DIY projects as well as complete off-the-shelf systems? If so, can I just submit the receipts for the cells, frame, Slygard, inverters, wire, etc to get the credit?

Thanks,
Kevin

Pretty sure that it covers DIY installation, though you cannot count your own labor. But it will not cover DIY panels or other equipment that is required to be UL listed to qualify.

See a tax professional for tax advice. You can claim anything, but the results of an audit can be very painful.

[bonaire]

I presume you would also be able to include:
- cost of getting the township/county permit (don't do a solar pv project without a permit)
- cost of any paid-labor for a real electrician to help you out
- cost of electrical inspection at the end of the work

[rick1]

Hi,

Does anybody know if the 30% federal tax credit applies to DIY projects as well as complete off-the-shelf systems? If so, can I just submit the receipts for the cells, frame, Slygard, inverters, wire, etc to get the credit?

Thanks,
Kevin

Do not put items not UL listed on your house as it might void the insurance if your house catches on fire. You might check on remote ground mounting of DIY panels.

[green]

Do not put items not UL listed on your house as it might void the insurance if your house catches on fire. You might check on remote ground mounting of DIY panels.

That's because the insurance companies are in cahoots with the POCO.

[Naptown]

That's because the insurance companies are in cahoots with the POCO.

Actually UL not the POCO
And the reason for this is there is too much danger in DIY panels. Manufacturing is no where near as precise as robotic assembly, soldering etc.
Add to this that without a lot of expensive machinery, test equipment etc the chances of building panels yourself is more of a guessing game as to how a panel or set of panels will turn out.

[freeenergy]

Do not put items not UL listed on your house as it might void the insurance if your house catches on fire. You might check on remote ground mounting of DIY panels.

Certification only means they "initially" certified the process by which the panels are made. The certifying body does not check each panel. There are other certifying companies other than UL, which is more expensive than others. A hungover employee can make a mistake while making a certified panel.

I'm starting to think that solar is more about creating expensive jobs than creating green energy.

[russ]

Certification only means they "initially" certified the process by which the panels are made. The certifying body does not check each panel. There are other certifying companies other than UL, which is more expensive than others. A hungover employee can make a mistake while making a certified panel.

I'm starting to think that solar is more about creating expensive jobs than creating green energy.

There are other agencies yes - as is often pointed out here.

The hungover employee story has nothing to do with UL (or equivalent). It has to do with the manufacturer's quality control procedures. That statement can be made about everything from underwear to rockets.

[inetdog]

The hungover employee story has nothing to do with UL (or equivalent). It has to do with the manufacturer's quality control procedures. That statement can be made about everything from underwear to rockets.

An acquaintance was a manufacturer of small volume high tech bicycle wheel hubs. He incorporated sealed ball bearings with a custom water-resistant grease formulated for him by Chevron. He only used one 50 gallon drum every year or two.
Once when he reordered, the delivered grease was a different color and had totally different physical properties. He tried to arrange to return it, but Chevron insisted it was the correct formulation. It was not until they noticed that the manufacture date was January 2nd that they told him to send it back right away.

[Jason]

Incentives for DIY Solar Installations

This article from the Forum's sponsor, SolarTown, is somewhat dated, but provides good general information on incentives for DIY solar installations.

http://www.solartown.com/learning/solar-panels/incentives-for-diy-solar-installations/

[freeenergy]

There are other agencies yes - as is often pointed out here.

The hungover employee story has nothing to do with UL (or equivalent). It has to do with the manufacturer's quality control procedures. That statement can be made about everything from underwear to rockets.

One poster on here said something like 1 in 20 certified panels will malfunction from the start. Just saying, DIYers using high quality materials have a vested interest in doing it well.

[Naptown]

One poster on here said something like 1 in 20 certified panels will malfunction from the start. Just saying, DIYers using high quality materials have a vested interest in doing it well.

Out of the 2500 or so panels we have installed in the past couple of years there have been a total of 5 failures so far. All defective at delivery, all the same manufacturer and batch and all the same reason (loose connection in J box)
If there was a 5% initial failure rate no one would buy these things as the built in warranty costs would put the price out of the ballpark.

[russ]

One poster on here said something like 1 in 20 certified panels will malfunction from the start. Just saying, DIYers using high quality materials have a vested interest in doing it well.

Please! You sound like Roland - a poster that got banned for continuing on with really bad and unsafe ideas while changing direction every week or two.