Sweet Orange

No fancy writing here or snappy title, just some basic information. So here it is:

If you are planning on installing a solar panel system for your home, some things that you will need to keep in mind are in the following checklist.

This checklist for installing a photovoltaic (PV) system was written by energy consultant, Rik DeGunther, and can be found in his book, Solar Power Your Home for Dummies.

1. Perform an energy audit and take conservation steps.

2. Determine the utility rate structure you’ll qualify for after the equipment is in place.

3. Review the physical installation options. (For example, roof conditions, size and shading.)

4. Decide how much to invest and how to finance it. (Be sure to check for federal, state and local incentives.)

5. Locate contractors and go out for formal bids.

6. Choose the best contractor and write the contract.

7. Wait for equipment to arrive (it’s rarely stock), approvals from building permits, subsidies, tax break and so on.

8. Allow for installation and inspections by the county and utility company.

9. Wait for the utility to put in a new meter and connect to the grid.

10. Get a tutorial on how to operate your system.

11. Submit any paperwork to utilities, states, and so on for final rebate payment.

12. Change your household habits to optimize system payback. (For example: If you’re on a tiered rate structure, or TOU rate structure, you probably need to change some of your consumptions habits in order to capitalize on the system.)

13. Maintain and repair the system.

Note: These steps might seem like a lot to take on, but your utility company or a qualified installer can handle many of these steps for you. In addition, reading the book will break down each step.

Additional information on solar energy that you might find helpful: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for Your Home by Dan Ramsey and David Hughes

Solar panel installations can be either connected to your utility company’s grid (known as grid tie or on the grid) or standalone (off the grid). Unless you are willing to risk damaging your equipment, the standalone variety requires a battery connection. However, the grid-tie system can be installed either with or without a battery. With that said, a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using batteries with the grid-tie system would be useful.

Up first, the advantages of including batteries with a grid-tie solar power installation:

• When power from the utility company is down, a grid-tie system without a battery does not provide the energy needed to power your home. So, in this case, you have the solar panels installed, but still no working lights, heat, stove, etc. Addition of batteries can solve this. Therefore, if you live in an area that tends to have many power outages or that tends to have outages that last a long time, battery backup is particularly helpful.
• If your comfort level in dealing with power loss during an outage is low, batteries use is appealing.
• If you have health or business equipment in your home that you cannot live without for even a short time, then some type of backup connection (such as batteries) might be essential.

Now, the disadvantages of including batteries with a grid-tie solar power installation:

• Batteries cost. You can set up your solar panel installation to replace 100% of your energy needs or just power a few appliances. Batteries will add an additional cost to your solar panel installation that is proportional to the size of your home and the amount of energy that you want to provide to your home via solar energy. This could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
• A system with batteries requires additional controls and safety devises. This will further add to the cost.
• Batteries require maintenance and replacement costs.
• A system with batteries involves a more complex setup.
• Battery use involves some additional level of danger.
• Systems with batteries are 2%-4% less efficient.

This information should help you decide if using batteries with a grid-tie solar panel installation is an efficient option for your particular situation.

Photo Courtesy DC Battery Specialists

Incentives through the City of Irvine for solar installation will end on November 18th. Sullivan Solar Power is holding a free luncheon program at Irvine’s City Hall this Saturday, August 27 that will cover how to take advantage of this program for little to zero upfront costs. The talk will also cover how to make use of California state rebates and federal tax credits. Since these Irvine incentives end on November 18th, time is of the essence. Additional information is available at IrvineSolarProgram.org or 1-800-SULLIVAN.

WHAT: Irvine Solar Program Luncheon

WHEN: Saturday, August 27th, 11 am

WHERE: Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine CA

Well, I’m back. After an approximately seven month hiatus, I have decided to start posting again, at least occasionally. However, the focus of this blog will change. The focus will evolve as I go along, so I am as curiosity as some of you might be to see just where this evolution takes us. Coming soon, my first new post.

Let the evolution begin!