The Regulatory Hurdles For New Solar Installations
Permitting, utility interconnection, grant applications, tax credit paperwork, SRECs.
You cant just order parts, hop on your roof, and start installing a solar system. There are various paperwork hurdles you must first jump through. This process can be quite frustrating and time-consuming for solar DIY-ers.
First off is the permit from your local building department. In it, youll have to provide a site plan and share the details on how youll install the system. This will include things like how the panels attach to your roof, proof that your roof can support the additional weight of the solar system, and the spec sheets for your solar systems components.
Youll also need an electrical diagram of the system and calculations proving the components are compatible and safe. Lastly, youll need to show how you plan on connecting the system to the electric grid.
After getting the required building permits, youll need to submit the specifics of the system to your utility company to gain permission to connect your solar system to the grid. Along with this, youll likely have to navigate the paperwork for your areas solar electricity compensation program . This will ensure you are properly compensated for any excess electricity your solar system produces and pushes out onto the grid.
At Paradise Energy, our specialized grant writers have an 80% success rate. Learn more about applying for the USDA REAP Grant.
Will There Be A Solar Rebate In 2021
The NSW Government has announced their Empowering Homes program a scheme that will provide interest-free loans for solar cell battery systems to eligible NSW residents. Eligible households can also demand an interest-free loan corresponding to the discount amount until 30 June 2021.
Are solar rebates reducing in 2021?
Every year on January 1, the discounts on the solar system will decrease until they finally end in 2030. At the moment, the solar discounts are at the highest they will ever be during the coming decade.
Is the solar tax credit going away?
In December 2020, Congress approved an extension of the ITC, which provides a 26% tax deduction for systems installed in 2020-2022, and 22% for systems installed in 2023. The tax deduction expires from 2024 unless Congress renews it.
Bringing Your Solar Plan To Fruition
Of course once the city has approved your plans, the real work has just begun. At this point you still have to order all of the right equipment, install the mounting equipment on your roof while avoiding significant roof damage , build a large and very heavy solar array on top of your home and hook up the panels to the grid .
If you are able to navigate the permitting process and complete the build of a residential solar power system on your own, then the feeling of pride and accomplishment that will undoubtedly wash over you will be well-deserved and here at Baker Electric Home Energy, we will salute you.
However, there are just a couple more things that you will have to be prepared to deal with concerning your do-it-yourself solar power system.
The first will be getting approval from the local utility to turn your system on. This can be more difficult than getting city approval because if your utility determines that any aspect of your system does not meet their requirements, they will not allow you to turn it on. Many do-it-yourself minded homeowners have been shocked to find that a solar power system that achieved all of the initial approvals from the city and their HOA, fell outside the guidelines of the utility company and were forced back to the drawing board. To avoid this scenario, make sure that your solar plan accounts for all utility, city and HOA requirements up front.
Don’t Miss: Can You Sell Solar Energy Back To The Power Company
Contacting A Professional To Connect The System
According to the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, large national companies typically charge more for their installation services than smaller, local companies. For this reason, its best to find a local solar installer company. Make sure the company is licensed to perform this work, and ask them for references prior to signing a contract. You should also choose a company that offers a warranty so if something goes wrong with the installation, you are covered.
Follow these simple steps and you will get to enjoy the many benefits of living in a home with solar panels!
Mount The Solar Panels
A lot of panels come with mounting brackets which you can easily attach to your platforms, especially if the platforms are wood. For steel platforms or roofs, however, you might need a better drill, and be careful with that roof too. However, if the panels do not come pre-fastened with brackets, you might want to contact your dealer and inquire whether the bracket is provided or where to put one.
For brackets though, angled ones are the most ideal, secure the front feet first. Make sure they are squared and centered before being secured in place with screws or other materials which you have.
Read Also: Do Solar Panels Provide Insulation
Whats The Point Of Solar Rights Acts
Historically, certain HOAs have found solar installations to detract from the harmony of a manicured neighborhood, which in turn can negatively affect life quality and more importantly, home value
Many states, like California, New Mexico, and Arizona, have taken the opposite stance, deciding that energy independence and reduced emissions are more important than a neighborhoods homogeneousness. These states have passed Solar Right Acts stating that HOAs, local governments, or any other type of covenant cant ban or deny homeowners from installing solar.
To be sure, they can place requirements on the installation , but they cant simply deny your application.
Learn Hub: Do It Yourself Solar
When you choose DIY solar, youre taking control of your solar project. While a DIY solar system involves some extra effort, you can act as your own project manager and save thousands when setting up your solar panels. You can build it yourself, hire local laborers to help, or do a mix of both.
Regardless of which approach you choose, our Do-It-Your-Way Solar Guide will help you learn everything you need to know about DIY solar panels, including planning, system design, set up, and more. And, you can when youre ready to get started.
Building your own solar system puts you in complete control of your solar project but requires a lot of planning and hard work. By opting to go DIY solar, you can actually cut your costs by more than $12,000 for the average home solar system. Not a bad investment.
You can go solar today for about one-third of what it would have cost ten years ago. In fact, the cost of a fully installed system went down from $7.14/watt in 2010 to $2.50/watt by 2020.
Recommended Reading: How Much Electricity Does A 100 Watt Solar Panel Produce
Do I Need A Building Permit To Add Solar Panels To My Home
If youve made the decision to install solar panels in your home, youre making a smart choice that can save you money and help protect the environment. Green building and green living are the wave of the future, and solar panels can be a big part of that.
However, you may be wondering if you need a building permit to add solar panels to your home. The answer is yes you will need a permit. Any addition to your home is likely to require a permit, and adding anything, including photovoltaic panels, without learning about and applying for the proper permissions can have serious consequences.
Remember that regulations can vary from state to state, so its important that you follow the regulations specific to the state in which you intend to add solar panels to your building.
Los Angeles Solar Diy Panels Take Power Over Your Own Installation And Save Money
Money into your pocket now… The savings are immediate and last a lifetime… Satisfaction you are no longer a victim of rising energy costs… Pride that your family is part of the sustainability solution… Los Angeles home solar panels help the environment… Installation designed for the average DIY homeowner… Thinking of your familyâs future… Reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuel… Put the power of the sun to work for you… The money you save by taking the solar leap will help the USA grow American jobs.
The sun over your home or commercial business is a natural source of energy for cheap electricity. Installation panel kits can lower cooling and heating costs by offsetting electric bills. Photovoltaic energy systems are hard at work anywhere the sun shines and no matter where you live you have an abundance of sunlight. Residential and commercial solar kits have no moving parts and require no maintenance lasting for decades.
DIY home installation kits start with DC electricity from sunlight. The output of solar kits varies throughout the day with changes in cloud cover and weather. The characteristics of DC electricity is different from AC current coming off the grid. Systems must utilize the entire solar day which typically is about 6 hours of useful sunlight.
Don’t Miss: Do You Need An Inverter For Solar Panels
Con: Installing Solar Is Complicated Homemade Solar Energy Requires Training And Experience
When you decide to DIY your solar panels, remember that you get what you pay for. A home solar kit may be less expensive, but solar installers offer tremendous value for relatively little additional cost . When it comes to installing an expensive electrical system on your property, finding someone who knows what theyre doing can actually save you both time and money in the long run.
Some of the best solar installers have been in the business for decades experience that no amount of online research or DIY guides can replicate. Every state requires that installers are licensed and qualified to install solar, and independent certifications like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Solar PV Installation Professional Certification ensure that the company you choose to work with has an intimate understanding of the process.
Your solar installer will also help you complete and file the permits and applications that you need to submit to get your solar energy system up and running. This is particularly important because your utility wont let you connect your system to the grid without sign-off from a certified electrician.
How California Solar Systems Save You Money
As you most likely know, solar energy systems help you save on your energy bill. Specifically, when you use your own solar-generated energy, you use less energy from your electric company. Some solar energy systems also heat your home, which cuts down your heating bill, too.
The total amount you save depends on factors like:
- Your current energy use
- The efficiency of your solar system
- The total surface area and the positioning of your panels
- The type of weather in your area
Installing solar panels also adds value to your home. And it qualifies you for government incentives. All of these benefits make the installation worth the cost.
Don’t Miss: Where To Place Solar Lights In Yard
Frequently Asked Questions About Diy Solar Panels
If youre considering a DIY solar panel kit, but still have concerns about the best options, process, and general cost, check out a few of the most common questions we encounter when talking to solar shoppers:
Are DIY solar panels worth it?
DIY solar panels may be tempting to install, but their long-term worth may be up for debate due to quality alone. Typically, a solar panel system should continue to generate electricity for 25 to 35 years, so its important to invest in quality equipment and a reputable installer. If you purchase a home solar panel kit from a retailer, you may be paying less per watt, but youre not going to get the same efficiency or quality that professional installers usually offer with their products. Youll also likely forgo any warranties that come with your solar panel system, as warranties often only apply when the system is installed by a certified installer. Its also important to mention that if you still need to rely on some utility power and need to remain connected to the grid, DIY solar panels are not worth itthey are best used for small off-grid projects.
Do you need to be an electrician to install solar panels?How much do DIY solar panels cost?
You can find reliable DIY solar panels at retailers like Home Depot, manufactured by Grape Solar, for anywhere between $6,000 to $11,000, depending on your system size needs. For lower cost options, some manufacturers sell DIY solar panels on Amazon for anywhere between $1,600 to $2,500.
What Are Other Benefits Of Professional Installations
The cost of a solar system installation can be intimidating – however, there are many financing options like solar loans, as well as incentives for homeowners that can drastically reduce the price.
While solar system installation costs are expensive, installers have decades of hands-on experience something no amount of research or instructions can duplicate.
At the end of 2020, the federal tax credit was extended, so you can get a tax credit of 26% on your solar system until 2023. To reiterate, you would not be eligible for this incentive if you built and installed the panels yourself.
DIY solar panels and solar systems are possible but are best left for science projects or small-scale use. Professional installations might not give you the satisfaction of completing a project, but they can give you peace of mind.
Find out how much it will cost to install solar panels on your specific roof
You May Like: How To Convert Solar Power To Electricity
How Many Solarpanels To Charge An Electric Car
As pointed out above, the number of panels neededfor charging your electric vehicle will depend on the size of your vehiclesbattery. However, to consider this question, well use the standard Tesla ModelS as a baseline for estimates. This Tesla has a battery with a 75-kWh capacity.Your specific needs for your particular car may be different from this, but youcan find that information on your manufacturers website.
To figure out how many panels you need to chargeyour electric vehicle, you have to know the amount of power each of your solarpanels can produce. If you dont already have panels, Ill save you some time SunPower panels are the highest efficiency.
The average 250 W solar panel can generate around30-40 kWh of AC power each month. Lets make use of the lower number in our calculations.
Given that single, low output solar panel producesroughly 1 kWh per day of electrical power this indicates that you need toinstall as many as 75 solar panels to generate electricity to power your TeslaModel S each day assuming that you start the charging process with a batterytotally drained of electricity.
However, since the average driver will travelapproximately 37 miles a day this translates to roughly 12 kWh ofelectricity. With that in mind, a much more realistic set would requireapproximately 12 solar panels. Also, even this is a conservative estimatethats based on the use of low output solar panels.
Donât Miss: How Much Is It To Solar Power A House
Install Your California Solar System Now
Don’t wait to install your California solar system or else you’ll miss out on a lot of the benefits above. Use the tips in this guide to choose the best solar system and to hire a trustworthy solar installer.
Speaking of which, Simply Solar has over 20 years of experience installing California solar systems. Call us at 707-285-7037 or contact us here to ask us questions or to get an estimate.
You May Like: What Is Solo 401k For Self Employed
How To Build Your Own Diy Solar System
Designing and installing a solar array for personal use can be a daunting but rewarding challenge if you know what youre doing. Find out all the pros and cons as well as the ins and outs of solar DIYing here.
Green Coast is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page. Learn more.
Fully powering your home, vehicle, cabin, or boat by the sun in 2020 has never been easier. For starters, the International Energy Agency recently stated in its 2020 Outlook report that solar energy the new king of electricity is the cheapest form of electricity ever created. So, significantly reducing or even eliminating your utility bills with DIY Solar is a near certainty now.
Better yet, the cost of materials needed for home solar has plummeted in the last decade . The biggest reason for the price drop lies in the photovoltaic panels themselves: 90% reduction in price from $2/watt to a measly $0.20/watt!
On average, in the United States between 2010 and 2020, the cost of installing a residential solar system fell from $7.50/watt to $2.50/watt.
This means your upfront costs are lowered, and your payback period is shortened. In as little as 5 to 10 years if youve done everything right its reasonable to believe that your DIY solar system will begin making money for you. This is great for both you and the planet.
Ways Homeowners Can Get Paid To Go Solar
by Ryan | Sep 15, 2017 | Economy, Residential |
Let me ask you a question:
Can you afford to go solar today?
you might say no.
Many homeowners still believe that solar power is out of their reach. They think its too expensive and that only people with savings can afford to install solar on their home.
Those homeowners are misinformed!
In fact, when you add all the incentives and savings from lowering your electricity bill, youll see that the average homeowner actually comes out on top!
You actually make money when you install solar.
I know, that sounds crazy. I didnt believe it when I first heard that. But the math works out.
Youll see at the end of the post.
If you are a homeowner and the last few sentences made you curious, take a few minutes to read through this article. Youll be glad you did.
Im going to explain the five top reasons why solar is a great investment for the average homeowner. By the end, youll know more than 99% of homeowners about this incredible opportunity.
Then well tally up all the savings an average homeowner can expect with an average system
And youll see exactly how it pays to go solar right now.
Lets begin.
You May Like: How To Get Business Permit For Sole Proprietorship
