Solar is complete

[LD1]

Finally got everything done with solar....so time to dump some pics.

Site prep was challenging.... hillside....

The racking is Sinclair sky-rack 2.0 seasonal adjust. They spec'd a 7' deep hole 24" in diameter. Had to make an auger extension for that.

Panels are Canadian solar 540w bifacial

Inverters are hoymiles hms-2000. Each inverter connects 4 panels

Site prep:

 

[LD1]

Auger extension and racking delivery

 

[LD1]

 

[LD1]

Test fitting 4 panels. This was Tuesday this week. Needed to see how/where I am gonna mount the inverters.....to see what if any extended cables I need to connect the panels.

Good news is that none were needed.

 

[LD1]

Spent most of the day yesterday working on the wiring of the inverters.

The premade trunk lines from hoymiles is good for inverter to inverter.....but can only run 3 inverters per trunk. (8a inverter output....10ga wire)

So then it becomes a lengthy run back to the collector box. So I bought a spool of wire for those home-runs

 

[LD1]

So by the time I got all the inverters mounted and wired....I flipped the switch for those 4 panels at about 3:00.

Then I started setting up the DTU to communicate. I was worried about it's range. But so far the DTU seems to communicate well....even at ~300' away and through an exterior wall. Sub 1g does seem to have good range.

By about 4:00 it was all set up and logging. 4-panels making power

 

[fatjay]

Looking good. What are you going to power? Is it grid tie or battery? How many inverters total?

 

[tradosaurus]

Good job! Were you able to get any subsidies from the government (fed and state)?
Can you sell power back to your provider?
total cost for installation?

 

[LD1]

Last night I mounted the rest of the panels. Had to wait on some extra hands to get off work to assist.

All 30 panels are mounted...but only 28 are hooked up.

I had 2 panels that were actually from a different batch/pallet and the mc4 leads are super short. So I have extender cables on the way

 

[fatjay]

Are you going to have 5 people on each crank hand cranking them to adjust the angle?

 

[LD1]

To answer some questions.....

30% fed credit will apply come next tax season.

Currently my electric rate is ~12 cents per kwh.

My electric company net-meters on a monthly basis. So Whatever I make directly saves me 12 cents up until production exceeds usage....then I get credit at their "cost avoidance rate" which is currently 7.8 cents per kwh

So yes....its grid tie.

Total cost of everything done (not counting my labor or time...lol) is right at $20,217.22 currently.

May go up a tad......I have to have a "certified 3rd party inspection" done to appease the electric company before they will allow net metering. I am in contact with a guy about that and not sure what he might charge....or if he is gonna require any changes...but I hope not.

Anticipating a ~$2000 per year savings....so after fed credit I should be looking at a ~7-year payback

 

[LD1]

Are you going to have 5 people on each crank hand cranking them to adjust the angle?

No......one person can do it if you dont have 5 people. They recommend going down the line and doing 5 cranks at a time.

After we finished last night I cranked it up to ~32 degrees. Which was about 70 cranks each. Took about 10 min going 5 at a time. But if I keep up with it monthly or so....I wont ever have to go that far all at once

 

[kenmbz]

Looks nice, keep us updated.
Has that pro installed look.

Would like to see a daily output and how much square footage for the area that you prepped?

Good luck with the inspections.

 

[EddieWalker]

Impressive. My wife wants me to do this, but I'm very hesitant. I also have too many other projects to do!!

Did you use Aluminum wire? Did you coat it with anything to prevent oxidation?

 

[LD1]

Looks nice, keep us updated.
Has that pro installed look.

Would like to see a daily output and how much square footage for the area that you prepped?

Good luck with the inspections.

The stoned area is approx 18' x 60' so the excavated and disturbed area is slightly larger

 

[LD1]

Impressive. My wife wants me to do this, but I'm very hesitant. I also have too many other projects to do!!

Did you use Aluminum wire? Did you coat it with anything to prevent oxidation?

Yes aluminum URD wire. Bout all that is used here for service installs. And yes the wire ends were coated with the no-ox stuff

 

[thclimer]

Very nice Install!

What do you have for lighting protection?

 

[dodge man]

Nice job! Do you have some experience as an electrician?

 

[LD1]

Nice job! Do you have some experience as an electrician?

A little but apparently not enough. Gonna add a few grounds to appease inspector. I guess NEC is a bit redundant and stupid

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

We use about $1800 in electricity per year. Will this basically supply ALL of your demand for $20k?