I've watched most of Will's videos multiple times. He makes it seem so easy.
In all of his videos, he's running the PV cable directly from the panels to the inverter, without any conduit, just bare PV cable, over his dirt backyard, over concrete, inside, outside, in his shop, RV, everywhere without any covering.
His backyard panels are mounted on a wooden stand held down by a rod in the ground. What seems like the main array is just panels laid down on his driveway.
For the AC connections, he uses romex, SO cable, NEMA cable, and even a spliced extension cord. He does use conduit between the electric subpanels, but it seems like it's plastic.
His panel ground is just bare ground wire, looks maybe 8-10 AWG?
All this seems super easy. Along with my prior knowledge and watching all his videos, I feel very confident about doing it myself.
However, there are experts in the forums that say this is a big no no. None of this is up to code.
I bought all the parts, but I'm not sure what to do now. I need more panels to add to my current AC system. I would really like to DIY and have the benefits of a batteryless AIO DC system, with the future option of adding batteries, but code requirements make it much harder than it seems.
How is everyone else dealing with this? Are most people running everything up to code and getting permits for it all? Or most people doing it like Will and taking their chances?
I have a few mounting options, but I guess I need to know how everyone else is doing it so I can come up with a better plan. My most ideal sun is on the roof
In all of his videos, he's running the PV cable directly from the panels to the inverter, without any conduit, just bare PV cable, over his dirt backyard, over concrete, inside, outside, in his shop, RV, everywhere without any covering.
His backyard panels are mounted on a wooden stand held down by a rod in the ground. What seems like the main array is just panels laid down on his driveway.
For the AC connections, he uses romex, SO cable, NEMA cable, and even a spliced extension cord. He does use conduit between the electric subpanels, but it seems like it's plastic.
His panel ground is just bare ground wire, looks maybe 8-10 AWG?
All this seems super easy. Along with my prior knowledge and watching all his videos, I feel very confident about doing it myself.
However, there are experts in the forums that say this is a big no no. None of this is up to code.
I bought all the parts, but I'm not sure what to do now. I need more panels to add to my current AC system. I would really like to DIY and have the benefits of a batteryless AIO DC system, with the future option of adding batteries, but code requirements make it much harder than it seems.
How is everyone else dealing with this? Are most people running everything up to code and getting permits for it all? Or most people doing it like Will and taking their chances?
I have a few mounting options, but I guess I need to know how everyone else is doing it so I can come up with a better plan. My most ideal sun is on the roof
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