How frequently does your solar system need attention?

[SparkyJJO]

Installers are driven by fast easy installs but they are also very concerned about service calls. Most will stick with equipment that gives them the least amount of headaches or none at all.

Plus, with micro inverters, the wiring being 95% AC, any basic electrician can wire it vs a bunch of HV DC stuff that can scare someone off.

I've had to make zero support calls in the year-ish that I've had my 7.5kW grid tied Chilicon microinverter based array.

 

[EastTexCowboy]

Part of the problem with bringing in your local electrician for DC work is that some, if not many, of them don't have much experience with DC. I had an electrician come out and put in one run of conduit and pull the 2 awg wire in the garage attic. Mostly it was because it was going to be a bear by myself but also I wanted to get him out here and give me some feedback. He looked it over and gave me rave reviews on the work I had done but on the DC part he admitted he didn't have a clue if it was right or not. I still think this is a niche market that a sharp electrician could carve out a nice income from, but on the other hand there is a lot of liability and the callback potential from user error is high. But that's part of why Will has been so successful with his YT and this forum. A lot of us want to do solar and don't have enough knowledge, but at least recognize we don't have enough knowledge and don't mind asking for help. Well, that and I think you have to have a little bit of that attitude that you'll tackle just about anything. Some people call it stubborn. I prefer persistent.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

Installers are driven by fast easy installs but they are also very concerned about service calls. Most will stick with equipment that gives them the least amount of headaches or none at all.

Write up the invoice..... done

Plus, in my experience- and I’m not an electrician or EE- it has scared me over the years (and lately, retroactively read: neutral-ground bonding, multiple ground rods) how narrow an understanding many electricians have which excludes things out of the norm, or how many industrial and residential electricians can’t properly wire a boat or low-voltage dc camper.
They know what they do and that’s about it.

haven't found anyone willing to do that

@timselectric isn’t too far from you - on the map. Don’t know if he needs to be PA papered, or not…

Or there is a “find somebody” thing on this site now.

Or pay my gas, moderate daily, and consumables and I’d drive down for a working vacation LOL

This is a diy site- I’m betting you can do this

 

[timselectric]

i hope the conversion on my real house is easier... its got 8.5 kw of panels and once the payoff form the grid tie drops i will convert it to a grid assist battery backup model. biggest issue for me will be the automatic transfer switch which is mandated for all grid ties of any sort here... that will be at least 3k.

Drop the grid.
Problem solved.

 

[timselectric]

how narrow an understanding many electricians have which excludes things out of the norm, or how many industrial and residential electricians can’t properly wire a boat or low-voltage dc camper.
They know what they do and that’s about it.

100% true.
I have been working with them for 40 years. lol

 

[timselectric]

@timselectric isn’t too far from you - on the map. Don’t know if he needs to be PA papered, or not…

9 hrs drive.
That's too far for a day trip. lol

 

[OffGridForGood]

9 hrs drive.
That's too far for a day trip. lol

24 hrs in a day Tim, just have to use all of them !!
{LOL - just joking around since I know you are already booked solid}

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

Drop the grid.
Problem solved.

my idea was to go with about 40-50kws of battery and use the grid only when the batteries go flat, or their is an issue... so sort of like grid backup style.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

40-50kws

That’s gonna cost more than the annual GNP of Bermuda

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

That’s gonna cost more than the annual GNP of Bermuda

sorry that should have been 40-50 kWh of storage at 48 volts, typo baby.. typo.

 

[dougbert]

That’s gonna cost more than the annual GNP of Bermuda

I have 60kwh of battery and it didn't cost me that much. ran about $300 per kwh

 

[Crowz]

Actually thats a very small battery.


50 Watt seconds = 0.0000138889 Kilowatt hours

So him saying 50 kws of battery is a very tiny battery

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

Actually thats a very small battery.


50 Watt seconds = 0.0000138889 Kilowatt hours

So him saying 50 kws of battery is a very tiny battery

all you funny bones type gonna clown me for the next week over a typo? ah well could be worse I guess.

 

[Crowz]

Oh were not picking on you were just having fun

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

I have 60kwh of battery and it didn't cost me that much. ran about $300 per kwh

Also 60kWh - about $150 per kWh, and you can make it cheaper still.

 

[Danke]

Also 60kWh - about $150 per kWh, and you can make it cheaper still.

“Make it cheaper still?” Does that imply the $150 per kWh was pre-made? Like a rack battery? Or that DIY battery prices are cheaper since you made yours?

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

“Make it cheaper still?” Does that imply the $150 per kWh was pre-made? Like a rack battery? Or that DIY battery prices are cheaper since you made yours?

It means that you can get cheaper cells, if you're willing to take some risks.

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

It means that you can get cheaper cells, if you're willing to take some risks.

gawd we tried that with the dems and their policies.. sometimes you gotta invest real money to get a payout... or so Joe says....

 

[SparkyJJO]

gawd we tried that with the dems and their policies.. sometimes you gotta invest real money to get a payout... or so Joe says....

Joe only wants his ice cream.

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

Joe only wants his ice cream.

that dudes so senile I bet they have to muzzle him to keep him from licking the windows.