diy solar

diy solar

Finally, the start of my 25kw Ground Mount grid-tie system

Not a whole lot to update yet. I'm having supply issues and problems getting quotes on ground mount framework components.
The guy I bought my stuff from called yesterday to touch base and see how things were going, he told me I'm lucky I bought when I did (back in May of this year). Prices on the same panels I bought have gone up 15% and he has trouble getting them in any quantity. Mounts are up because of prices of steel. Same old story with everything. I waited six weeks for a part for my tractor that used to be on the dealers shelf. The dealer said the manufacturer is calling them asking if they can buy back parts so they can fill orders to other dealers. We live in strange times.
 
@MarkSolar

Yeah, we will see what happens. I really don't want to wait, but if I don't have a choice or the numbers just don't make sense at a certain point then I'll wait. I'm hoping the proposed solar ITC gets pushed through (30% + 10% for domestic material sourcing if project is over 55% domestic).
 
The guy I bought my stuff from called yesterday to touch base and see how things were going, he told me I'm lucky I bought when I did (back in May of this year). Prices on the same panels I bought have gone up 15% and he has trouble getting them in any quantity. Mounts are up because of prices of steel. Same old story with everything. I waited six weeks for a part for my tractor that used to be on the dealers shelf. The dealer said the manufacturer is calling them asking if they can buy back parts so they can fill orders to other dealers. We live in strange times.
Its like Ammo and primers.
 
Does anyone know when the new solar ITC for the US will be voted on and decided?

The history of the federal solar investment tax credit​

The ITC was originally established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was set to expire at the end of 2007. Thanks to the popularity of the ITC, and its success in supporting the United States’ transition to a renewable energy economy, Congress has extended its expiration date multiple times, including most recently in December 2020 to extend the ITC at 26 percent for two additional years. Now, the solar investment tax credit is available to homeowners in some form through 2021. Here are the specifics:

  • 2016 – 2019: The tax credit remains at 30 percent of the cost of the system.
  • 2020-2022: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 26 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.
  • 2023: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 22 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.
  • 2024: Owners of new commercial solar energy systems can deduct 10 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes. There is no federal credit for residential solar energy systems.
 

The history of the federal solar investment tax credit​

The ITC was originally established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was set to expire at the end of 2007. Thanks to the popularity of the ITC, and its success in supporting the United States’ transition to a renewable energy economy, Congress has extended its expiration date multiple times, including most recently in December 2020 to extend the ITC at 26 percent for two additional years. Now, the solar investment tax credit is available to homeowners in some form through 2021. Here are the specifics:

  • 2016 – 2019: The tax credit remains at 30 percent of the cost of the system.
  • 2020-2022: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 26 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.
  • 2023: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 22 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.
  • 2024: Owners of new commercial solar energy systems can deduct 10 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes. There is no federal credit for residential solar energy systems.
There is a meeting on Nov 4 in DC I believe.
 
There are proposed improvements to solar incentives in the Build Back Better Act. I think that has to be voted on in the next few months, but no one on planet earth knows what the final version will look like. I think it is very likely to include positive solar changes including increasing the ITC. Cross my fingers it applies to 2021.
 
There are proposed improvements to solar incentives in the Build Back Better Act. I think that has to be voted on in the next few months, but no one on planet earth knows what the final version will look like. I think it is very likely to include positive solar changes including increasing the ITC. Cross my fingers it applies to 2021.
Well, if thats the case, then it would be the only positive thing that happened since these bozos took over.
 
hahaha. As easy as it is to get political, let's try to keep that out of the thread.

It would be great to know what the new ITC will be prior to starting to buy all the major components.
 
hahaha. As easy as it is to get political, let's try to keep that out of the thread.

It would be great to know what the new ITC will be prior to starting to buy all the major components.
Agreed. I am assuming no changes, so 26% this year and next. Your state may have additional exemptions
 
The application has been submitted to the utility company. We will see what they say. I should know in a week or two. He was surprised by my proposed system size. hahahaha.
 
Well.... the initial assessment from the utility company is a no go based on the transformer that feeds my home and my neighbor's. I am checking to see the max allowable size and also what it would cost to have them upgrade it.

A bit disappointing, but what can one do. Updates to follow as I receive them.
 
Well.... the initial assessment from the utility company is a no go based on the transformer that feeds my home and my neighbor's. I am checking to see the max allowable size and also what it would cost to have them upgrade it.

A bit disappointing, but what can one do. Updates to follow as I receive them.
Your system is large.. as in way larger than the average homeowner's system. My system is considered large and its only 11kW.

I think the residential cutoff is 25kW for solar.. after that, they put you in a different class.. Which, since you started this thread, I've been wondering: What the hell do you need so much juice for? Indoor garden?

You could ask the utility company what the maximum allowable size is and build out to that..
 
I have servers and such that serve an essential purpose for me. I also have to condition my home and outbuilding. I do have a sun room that I grow some fruit trees in and random veggies as well throughout the winter :)

I have asked them that question and we will see what they say. I will weigh my options of the max allowable size and costs of upgrading the transformer.
 
I have servers and such that serve an essential purpose for me. I also have to condition my home and outbuilding. I do have a sun room that I grow some fruit trees in and random veggies as well throughout the winter :)

I have asked them that question and we will see what they say. I will weigh my options of the max allowable size and costs of upgrading the transformer.
If you get away for less than $7500 on that transformer, consider yourself lucky. POCO's don't like solar customers so plan on them sticking you.
 
Yeah, I'm sure it will be exorbitant. I'll definitely be re-designing to their max allowable size if they say something in that realm.

If I get pushed down to 25kw then It'll probably be back to some sunny boys and a fronius or something. I'm a bit anxious to hear back so I can make a decision and get back to designing.
 
So was this your first contact with the power company? I would have thought that the first thing they would have told you was how much you were allowed to connect. Our utility has an online tool that calculates how much solar we can add based on our last few years usage. We're allowed 110% of the average historical use.
 
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