Installing Photovoltaic Solar Power at Home

This vid shows the various steps in planning and having a company (Real Goods Carlson: http://www.realgoodssolar.com/campaigns/current/affiliate/?a_aid=blimylimey&a...) install photovoltaic solar electric power in my rear yard in San Diego; definitely more challenging than a roof installation. My rationale for this: reduce my carbon footprint, buy / own my energy (like I do my house), help address CA's energy shortfall and take advantage of the state and US government incentives for early adopters to save on the installation.

I just uploaded it to Repower America:
http://www.repoweramerica.org/wall/#/view/5823

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Environment
• Solar
• Photovoltaic
• Electricity
• Generation
• installation
• panels
• home
• improvement
• electronics
• electrical

[LimeyInSD]

They did call dig-alert - Real Goods Solar handled all that (and the permitting). Part of the service.

[precigeoguy]

Sharp and SMA , what a great combo, does not get better than that ! you were also lucky the inspector did not know about or choose to enforce the pool codes, solar hot water panels are not actually allowed to be closer than 10 feet to the pv modules. Great ground rack, roof can't leak and the workers were safer.

[LimeyInSD]

@precigeoguy I did not know about the passive solar vs. water heating solar restrictions, though it seems dumb to me without similar laws for sprinklers...

[ReddsMorris]

I agree but with a 1000sqft of roof to the down spouts and a 1 inch rain is 600 gals saved. Then the water that went to the panels could be directed back to the tanks. A cool panel will be 9% better for more energy. Even so I liked your system. Thanks for sharing with us.

[LimeyInSD]

@ReddsMorris You're welcome. Unfortunately, I have a wood shake roof, so lots of contaminants that would deposit on the glass. Also, you'd need a pump and plumbing to get the water to/from the panels. I also looked into an Aluminum heat sink behind each panel ducted into the ground (cooler), but that'd be cost prohibitive, too.

For a roof mount, there is a new system (separate) that cools the panels and uses the heat saved for water heating & A/C. Goes from 20% up to 50% efficiency.

[ReddsMorris]

If you save your rain water you can make a drip system for the panels to lower the temps. It works great and cost nothing. And it helps keep the panels cleaner. Thank for a great vid.

[LimeyInSD]

@ReddsMorris Rain? What's that? Seriously, though, I've thought about drip feeding ever since I proved I could get an extra 400W during the summer using my hose to cool the panels mid day. Right now, it's cost prohibitive for me, though it might work for others: in San Diego we have expensive water, rationing and only 10" rain / yr (on a good year - it's been a drought for the past 5 years). Thanks for the idea though & your comments on the vid.

[iLOVENATURE2011]

=)

[iLOVENATURE2011]

nice video! =)

[battlestarone]

how long will it take to get a return on the 25k dollars outlay,thats a lot of money.i take it the company that did the install worked this out for you as well....love the idea of solar energy for homes,why dont they by law make new build houses have panels fitted and new housing estates have one large wind turbine by law.

[AtomixKid]

Well done thorough in entire process!!

[JO3haNsum]

you did all that digging without calling dig alert?

the sales rep is hot !

[JO3haNsum]

you did all that digging without calling dig alert?

[stormeast]

Congratzzzz...!!!!

[nuclearthreat545]

You can own your water, RAIN WATER RECLEMATION