Rhythm Republic

  You can install your own PV system in many locales. I have seen a number of self-installed systems and they work just fine, and the owners are happy with the results. On the other hand, there are a lot of reasons to use a contractor, namely because of all the complexities involved in a PV system, some of them very subtle. Experience counts for a lot. Before you go DIY, first consider all the items on this list:  ✓ You may not be able to connect to the grid with a self-installed system. Before you do anything else, check with your utility company, and your county building department.  ✓ You may not be able to get insurance for your home with a self-installed system. After all, it entails more risk, and if a system malfunctions it can cause all kinds of problems, the worst being physical injury or a fire. Check with your insurance company.  ✓ Getting permits and inspections will be your responsibility. Visit your county building department and ask about the...

  If you have enough space available, you can mount your panels in a specially engineered rack structure affixed to the ground. In other cases, roofs are simply too complex, with too many vents and odd angles, to support a large array of solar panels, so ground mount may be the only option. Ground-mounted systems offer both pros and cons: On the pro side, you can orient the panels directly south, at the optimum tilt angle. This ensures the maximum amount of production over the course of a year. You also won’t have to worry about leaks in your roof, and the panels are easier to maintain and change, if the need arises. On the negative side, ground-mounted systems are more expensive than roof- mount because they require concrete posts and rigid frames. Wind is also more of a problem with ground mount. Ground mount systems require suit- able land space, and the appearance is definitely industrial. You’ll be putting a big, ugly, visible array somewhere on your property. Instal...

  Roof-mounted systems Roof mount PV is by far the most common and comprises around 95 percent of all residential PV systems. Mounting panels onto your roof is the least expensive way to install solar panels. It also raises the panels above ground level so that shade issues, like trees and neighbor’s houses, are minimized. Four types of mounting systems are in common use:  ✓ Rack mount: The PV panels are captured by a metal framework specially designed to allow easy attachment and disattachment of the panels. The panels are almost always parallel to the roof surface. A wide range of different types of racks are available. In many cases, a particular panel manufacturer will also provide the rack mount specifically for their panels. The most important thing about a roof mounted rack is that it doesn’t introduce leaks in your roof. Make sure to come to an understanding with your contractor about this issue. A good contractor knows how to install racks without introduc...

  PV panels, which cost anywhere between $2.40 per watt to over $5 per watt, are the single biggest expense of a PV system. Their placement and mounting affect your system performance more than any other facet of the job. Different types of panels are finding their way onto the market. The configu- rations of these different types of panels (how they’re combined physically) govern how much space they take:  ✓ Rectangular: The most common type of panel is a rectangular, alumi- num framed complex of individual solar cells (see Chapter 4 for more details).  ✓ Triangular: Triangular configurations can match the contour of your roof and offer a pleasing, symmetrical appearance from street level. Expect to pay more for these.  ✓ Integrated: These can be mounted directly over tiled roofs and they match the undulating surface, making them great for Spanish-style roof. Expect to pay a lot more for these. You can also “integrate” panels directly into your existing r...