Burdick Joesph - Install your own solar panels: designing and installing a photovoltaic system to power your home

For Daniel, Billie, and Lisa Burdick,
for living exemplary lives that give me continued inspiration.

JB

For Diana,
It shines on us, too, and helps us all grow.
Infinity Googolplex

PS

If youre interested in this book, surely you already know that solar electricity is good for the environment, national security, and the air we breathe, not to mention your electricity bill. And that its one of the best ways to reduce your households contribution to global warming. Youve also probably heard that going solar can actually be cheaper than paying for utility power, and you might wonder whether this claim is true. Well, in most cases, it is true. It just takes time for the incremental savings to overtake the initial investment (after that, the solar power is free). If you install the solar system yourself, you can hit this tipping point a lot sooner in some cases, in half the time.

That brings us to the next big question: Can you really install your own solar panels? Again, the answer is yes. If you can drive lag bolts and assemble prefabricated parts, and if youre willing to spend a day or two on your roof (or not, if youre mounting your panels on the ground), you can install your own solar system. You dont have to know how to hook up the solar panels to your household electricity or the utility grid. Youll hire an electrician for the house hookup, and the utility company will take care of the rest, usually for free. For a completely off-grid system, the utility company isnt involved at all.

Perhaps disappointingly, this job isnt even a good excuse to buy new power tools, since the only one you need is a good drill.

So, if this is such a doable project, why do most people use professional installers? For starters, a lot of people have good reasons to hire out virtually everything, from oil changes to grocery shopping. (Thats probably not you, but even if it is, this book can help you plan for a solar installation and find a good local installer.) Solar professionals handle more than the installation. They design the system, they apply for rebates and credits, they order all the necessary parts, and they obtain the permits and pass all the inspections. But the fact is, you can do all of these things yourself, provided you have a helpful adviser (this book, for example) and you are willing to follow the rules of the local building authority (thats where youll get those permits).

Solar installations are getting easier all the time, and you might be surprised at how much do-it-yourself (DIY) help is available. Two good examples are PVWatts and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE). PVWatts is an online calculator that helps you size a solar-electric system based on the location and position of your house and the angle of your roof. Solar pros use the same simple tool, but its free for everyone. DSIRE offers an up-to-date, comprehensive listing of renewable energy rebates, tax breaks, and other financial incentives available in any area of the United States. And its also free and easy to use.

Those two resources alone help answer the two most common questions homeowners have about solar electricity: How big of a system do I need? and How much will it cost? Other resources include solar equipment suppliers that cater to DIYers and offer purchasing and technical support, as well as consumer-friendly industry sources like Home Power magazine and the online community Build It Solar. And theres no law that says DIYers cant hire a solar professional for help with specific aspects of their project, such as creating design specifications, choosing equipment, or preparing permit documents.

Whats been missing from the wealth of information out there is a single expert voice a guiding light, if you will that pulls it all together and walks you through the project from start to finish. This book is your guiding light. It tells you what you need and shows you how to install it. Every major aspect of the process is covered, from site assessment and system design to permits, equipment, and installation.

Can you really install your own solar panels?...

the answer is yes.

We should also say up front that this book is not for cutting corners. We dont want you to install your system without a permit or without hiring an electrician to make the final hookups. (Even professional solar installers use electricians for this stuff.) The permit process can be a pain, yes, but its there to ensure that your system is safe, not just for you but also for emergency responders who might need to work around your mini power plant. When you work with the local building department you also learn about critical design factors, such as wind and snow loads, that are specific to your area.

Most likely, youre looking to install a standard grid-tied solar-electric system or an off-grid system. We cover both. We also cover the two most common installation scenarios: rooftop and ground-mount. The information is practical, visual, and as nontechnical as possible, teaching you just what you need to know to get the job done. (If youre the type to geek out on things like battery chemistry or multijunction solar cells, youll probably want some additional sources.) To keep this big job in perspective, each chapter starts with a simple goal that summarizes what youll accomplish at that stage in the process.

Of course, your ultimate goal is to power your house with the sun. And the sun? Well, its ready whenever you are.

Illustrated detailed diagrams are shown throughout this ebook. If you find them hard to read, double-tap the image to open to fill the screen. Use the two-finger pinch-out method to zoom in. (These features are available on most e-readers.)

This publication is intended to provide educational information for the reader on the covered subject. Be sure to read all explanations and advice in this book and in your product literature thoroughly before beginning to install your own solar panels. The authors and publisher advise that anyone who is not a trained electrician get professional assistance before connecting to your homes electrical system, and follow all applicable state and local building codes.

Goal Learn the basic parts of solar power systems and the installation process, and confirm that DIY installation is right for you

Well begin your Journey to electrical enlightenment with a quick overview of what goes into a home solar power system and a look at the specific components of the three main types of systems. Then well take a brisk walk through the installation process from start to finish. And thats pretty much all there is for the basics lesson, because then its time to get to work.