My PV Install

[d0cdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7896701#post7896701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
40 Panels, man that's a lot of roof space. Besides reducing your energy cost, those things will shade your roof and cut down on the heat load of the house too! How big are the panels, did they come with any mounting brackets?

They do come with everything to mount the panels to a composite roof, minus the screws and mastic.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7896786#post7896786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyESQ
I was under the impression that solar panels only lasted 20 years.

Depends on the type. I was told this type lasts up to 40 years. Even at 20 years, Im still lookin at a decade of free energy.

I anticipate degredation across the whole system. Im sure I will need a new inverter in 15 years max.

 

[Konadog]

Dave, did you happen to get a size of the panels?

 

[d0cdave]

The panels are 5' X 2'. The whole system takes up 400 sqft plus.

Ive been reading the documentation and these panels came without aluminum frames for a reason. You are supposed to put them together to form a relatively seamless plane of glass. Should look really cool!! The only thing I worry about is thermal expansion. I dont think tempered glass expands all that much with a temperature differential of 60 degrees or so. I think they might if the separation was 200+ degrees. I could be wrong.

Any materials science majors out there?

 

[GTR]

I could see the whole system getting ripped right off my roof in the Santa Ana winds. :lol:

How often do they need the surface cleaned and do they give you any loss figures for dust build-up?

Does your city require permits for the installation of the panels (not the hook-up)?

SteveU

 

[d0cdave]

Permits are required for the rebate.... so there is a $6k incentive for permits on the total deal. You might be able to buy some panels and put them on a pole in the backyard w/ no permits.

I've wondered the same thing about maintenance. Im sure I will have to squeegee them every now and then.

Im still reading the mountain of paperwork.

 

[NicoleC]

I have considered a small 1 KwH unit on my patio cover -- it's not community property, so no HOA mess as long as I don't go more than 2 feet above the fenceline -- should be no prob.

A 1 kWh unit won't do much, though, and I might have to replace the patio cover, too, which is not cheap. I'm going to see what the next bill looks like without the reef tank and then decide.

 

[Wilafur]

wow, so each 5'x2' panel only generates 68watts? damn, thats not much efficiency for folks like nicole, wardaddy and myself who have limited space to install a unit.

i need to buy a house house now.

 

[NicoleC]

There are much more efficient panels available now. With the newer panels, you need about 100 sq ft per kilowatt.

 

[d0cdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7900559#post7900559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NicoleC
There are much more efficient panels available now. With the newer panels, you need about 100 sq ft per kilowatt.

That is correct. I got these cheap because they are older technology. New panels are anywhere between 140 and 200 watts a piece. When we redo the roof on the house we are considering putting another 5-6kw of panels up there.

The panels I am buying are going on the garage which is only 4 years old.. nice strong roof. Our house was built in 1922, and I dont think the roof will handle the extra weight.

 

[NicoleC]

You definately got a gool deal, and since you have the room, why not install the bigger panels? This way you get a trial run with a smaller system and can build up later if you want.

 

[d0cdave]

My thoughts exactly Nicole. The new roof is a few years out so this system will have to do for now. It may turn out to be all we need. We have a pretty small environmental/energy footprint already.