I wanted to see what other are thinking about this. I have been moving forward with research and speaking with some vendors and permitting entities to understand more about the process. Everything looks very positive and seems to be a no brainer in many ways. But I do have one concern that may be a deal breaker.
If I install this system DIY (which is the only way I'll do it), I have concerns about maintenance and service when something happens to me or if I'm no longer able to take care of it for health-related reasons. We are in our late 50's now, and understand that tomorrow and all its promise, is not guaranteed. I really have some reservations about setting up a large system and leaving my wife in a spot where she has to figure out how to get the system serviced or repaired ect. We live in a small rural town where I do everything repair related with the exception of HVAC, mostly because it is difficult to get service people in our area. I know there should not be too much to the panels, and they will be on a ground array. But I guess my concern is the "all in one" charger / inverters systems, regardless of which we would decide to use, I'm looking at EG4 18kpv and Sol Ark 15k systems (I'll have 2 of which ever we go with), and at least one 30kwh battery, and possibly could be 3 30kwh battery systems. I realize that life is full of tradeoffs and there is some potential give on the convenience side for the financial, independence, and environmental stewardship gains. My experience with anything mechanical or electromechanical is that sooner or later it will fail. In the opinon of those who have already made the transition, who do you see servicing or repairing your DIY system when you cant??
One other question I'd like to ask is, my plan is to install the chargers / inverters, as well as battery banks in my attached garage. I know from what I have read some of you have installed your equipment in a solar shed, which sounds like a building specific for that equipment, detached from your living quarters. I can see where this would be an ideal option but will not work for me. I have seen several pictures on Tesla and other advertisements where it looks like all of the equipment is installed in attached garages. Would those of you who have been using solar have any reservations about this?
If I install this system DIY (which is the only way I'll do it), I have concerns about maintenance and service when something happens to me or if I'm no longer able to take care of it for health-related reasons. We are in our late 50's now, and understand that tomorrow and all its promise, is not guaranteed. I really have some reservations about setting up a large system and leaving my wife in a spot where she has to figure out how to get the system serviced or repaired ect. We live in a small rural town where I do everything repair related with the exception of HVAC, mostly because it is difficult to get service people in our area. I know there should not be too much to the panels, and they will be on a ground array. But I guess my concern is the "all in one" charger / inverters systems, regardless of which we would decide to use, I'm looking at EG4 18kpv and Sol Ark 15k systems (I'll have 2 of which ever we go with), and at least one 30kwh battery, and possibly could be 3 30kwh battery systems. I realize that life is full of tradeoffs and there is some potential give on the convenience side for the financial, independence, and environmental stewardship gains. My experience with anything mechanical or electromechanical is that sooner or later it will fail. In the opinon of those who have already made the transition, who do you see servicing or repairing your DIY system when you cant??
One other question I'd like to ask is, my plan is to install the chargers / inverters, as well as battery banks in my attached garage. I know from what I have read some of you have installed your equipment in a solar shed, which sounds like a building specific for that equipment, detached from your living quarters. I can see where this would be an ideal option but will not work for me. I have seen several pictures on Tesla and other advertisements where it looks like all of the equipment is installed in attached garages. Would those of you who have been using solar have any reservations about this?