After something like 50 years of planning I've finally begun my solar PV install at our property. I thought some here might be interested. ***Edited by a Moderator to remove link.***
Poor form to link to the "other" site. They do not allow any linkage to this site (go ahead, try it - heck, just try typing the name of it in a post), and this site was started by people kicked off that other site. Not judging (I visit it too), just putting it out there.
I wasn't aware of the present conflict though I did know this board's origin resulted from discontent elsewhere. I just thought I'd share here and at other sites without having to recreate a lengthy post. Somehow it seems like even worse form to copy and paste content from one site to another so I'm not quite sure what to do. Though I post here I guess I've never tried to reference it on the other site. If you can tolerate one more cross-link I did a quick search of the other site and did find a reference to FWH though. Rugged made splitters Mods, please delete this thread. I'd edit to delete my content but it doesn't seem to allow that.
No need to delete the thread. I’ll clean up your post, but not sure it’s even necessary. Can you pull the pics from over there to here?
I've PMd a Mod to try and better understand the issues with my post and how I should follow-up. I don't mean to appear unresponsive to those that are following.
They must have changed their policy on that. For years, that was a no-go. I don't see anything wrong with copying the post and putting it on here too. Some of our other members do exactly that.
All right, for those of you that may DIY vicariously as I do. Finally - My solar PV installation I've been threatening for years to get solar PV installed and its finally happening. I bought 30 Peimar 315 watt PV panels and am now building a structure to mount them on. Our house is well shaded by trees and roof mounting didn't make sense because of that and other related issues. This structure will also serve as a carport and host to a future EV. I plan to mount the EV charger in the carport and have installed the conduit underground to service it. I've purchased a Sol-Ark inverter which I've yet to install. Though expensive it has some interesting features that I hope will serve us well. The structure is mounted on 3 poured concrete curbs that should provide sufficient weight to counter wind loads and are tied into large boulders in the subgrade. I made my concrete onsite so that was an effort in itself. Rather that going with commercially-available ground mount hardware I decided to use dimensional lumber to build a structure that would host solar panels at 40 degrees from horizontal while also providing cover for our cars. I intend to use the PV panels to create a sealed, water shedding roof. Thus far I've done all the work by myself with the assistance of an old person lift that I bought and repaired. I'm sure I'm getting older/weaker but damm!, saturated treated lumber is a pain to move around. Some boards easily weigh twice that of others. I've long felt like a poser for so long WRT solar PV, and its good to be moving forward with it. Some photos of the site and build below with descriptions. Thanks for the interest! Side view of the basic structure. Details like additional bracing not shown. My favorite tool shown for scale. The site is sloped and the one shown is the end with more vertical clearance. Progress as of last weekend. Progress as of last weekend looking Southeast. Aerial view of the site before I harvested some big cedar and other trees. Aerial view after clearing trees and showing the location of underground wiring and the concrete curbs. Excavation was tough. Some rocks were removed, I worked around those to big to remove. Mini excavators are kind of fun. I've only used larger trackhoes and backhoes. Trenching and conduit under the center concrete curb. Trenching and conduit access to the house. Center curb formed up and with anchor bolts set. The 3 curbs contain a total of 5 tons of concrete I made on site - ouch. 2 of 3 finished curbs looking east. Concrete mixer under the tarp, gravel/sand piles in the background. Just thought I'd share a hopper quickly built to help move gravel/sand into my concrete mixer. I stall had to load it with a shovel but unloading into the mixer was a breeze with this.
I was just browsing the forum without logging in. I saw this and had to log in just so I could "like" it! Great job!
That is quite the ambitious project to tackle by yourself. Looks like it is coming along pretty well. Love the aerial photos!
5 tons... ouch. Very cool build. Are you tying back in to the utility or have storage plans? Your system capacity is well over twice mine and you are further south... you energy hog Future EV will have a nice parking spot!!
I may do net metering but Virginia has a lot of hoops to jump through to get it. We are also planning for storage. I've already salvaged a battery from a Chevy Volt and configured it in 48 VDC modules for use with the PV inverter. The capacity is way more than my current usage due to wood/pellet burning and efficiency measures. I plan to use more PV electricity for HVAC and such once the system is online. One of the hangups with net metering in VA is that I'm not allowed to produce more than what my past usage has been which I don't really understand. Most of our heat has come from wood so this has a big impact on us.
Semipro I hear ya. Mass is same way, but we have killer rebates and the net metering is pretty easy to get. I'm enjoying the build, looks like you know what you're doing.
