I helped my neighbors install solar! Watch the new video HERE → ruclips.net/video/QqTAEueb_GI/видео.html Also, WHY didn't I install batteries? The BIG question. It's answered HERE → ruclips.net/video/AkPeKPuE1VE/видео.html
So you're saying your solar panels don't make you self sufficient and the only reason you have no bills is due to the money the grid pays you.... So that means it still costs you money.... Forgetting how much the grid gives you... What would your bill be if you weren't getting paid from the grid?
@@mrzoukdotcomzouklambadaboo8212 It does make him self-sufficient. He generates, on average, more wattage than he uses. Where I am, the system uses 'net metering' where you pay for wattage you use, but if you produce more than you use it gets 'banked' against what you do use. So at the end of the month you pay a minimal delivery fee (that part cannot be avoided) and carry over your 'banked' wattage. The only reason to have a battery for saving the excess is to cover you during power outages. With the newer EV's coming out though, you can just use the EV as your battery back up. Keep it charged up and if the power goes out you can use the EV's battery to keep the house powered. If the outage is only a couple hours, no big deal.
As someone who works in the solar industry let me say this guy is a hero. The time and work he put in to do the job is impressive and then share it with all for free on the internet. Bravo. I initially clicked on the video half expecting to see another non code-compliant and shabby installation but instead I found the GOAT of DIY.
@Seeker's GuidePost again what are you accussing me of. Let's start with that, shall we? And don't give me your opinion. Accusations and facts are to diferent things in my world at least.
@Seeker's GuidePost Since when is “ridiculous horseshit” (your words) a crime that must be reported? For me, it's hilariously humorous. Perhaps between us, the one who is "lost in solitude" (your words again), on baseless charges is not me! Oh! Finally, thanks for reminding me that I'm not a jerk! But don't you worry, I know how I'm. Do you know who you aren't...Dude?
I love it when guys like you that did all the hard work is willing to share his knowledge and help other people to do it much easier without the struggle. Cool man!!!!
My amazing husband set up a small off grid system for our cottage, we can run a window ac, or a portable heater, small appliances, lights. It’s a one room building & we are very comfortable if the grid goes down. Mrs Z
I totally agree. You have come a long way from being a beginner. As I was watching your video I was saying to myself install a new roof first. And you did. Good job.
Not talked about is the massive taxpayer subsidies that make this possible , How would you like to live next door to this mirrored albatross , he does not speak of the many downsides of the solar which far from helps humanity Lmfao , you tools don't seem to understand that you paid for this and will continue to pay for this guy's toy .nothing here is affordable or on the market without huge government subsidies ....your tax money Skippy
What’s most impressive is that he was not afraid to hire people for specific tasks he knew he wouldn’t do very well in. Most peoples ego would stop them
@@bankruptsee Exactly, if you need stamped plans, has to be hired out. Also, many electric companies won't pull/replace a meter without a licensed sparky there. So there are some things that, ego or not, you're not getting done without hiring someone.
Well, in some countries some work need to be done by certified companies. Atleast, if you want to be cashed out by insurance company when things go south
I work with medical documents that can be audited by the FDA all the time, and allow me to say: yeah, we use manual check boxes all the time, standard documents suck lol
As a solar project manager and engineer, everything seemed very correct. The only thing I would change is not using zip ties. You want everything on the roof to last as long as the warranty. Zip ties have about half the lifespan of the PV module warranty. It’s a small thing but everything else was spot on. Good job.
you can use snap in connectors instead of zip ties, they make ones that have a rubber barrel that fits inside the snap in connector. Look at any cell tower you see and notice the wires that are dressed in coming down the tower. That is the most expensive but, longest lasting system for dressing lines. But the main reason for them is RF loss due to pinched lines isn't possible. You can install as many panels as you want but if you pinch the lines or they get pinched from dangerous weather, You will not get the maximum outputs from your system.
Screw you , if not for taxpayers that made this hobby possible you would not have it Thank taxpayers , after all , we all payed for it and had no voice in the matter
@@ynot6781 You don't know how incentives work do you? its his personal taxes being reduced by a fixed amount. Once that amount has been accounted for, the rebate is done and he goes back to paying his normal taxes immediately. That has nothing to do with your, mine or anyone else's taxes, just what he pays in for 1 or 2 years, depending on how much the rebate is compared to what he would normally pay out of pocket. At no point did he receive any money from the rest of us via this process. Also, blaming him for the government stealing from you is counter productive. Get involved in the political process, and help give the boot to the welfare state, which almost 90% of our taxes go to fund, and then we can go back to having a 1-2% tax rate for all of us, where it should be.
@@ynot6781 bruh you sound like an old man who doesn't know how taxes work. he DOESN'T use tax payers money and if he even is. This dude is using less than a penny, so stop acting like a stuck up child
I didn't realize you made a video on the whole process! This is awesome! Also props on the time investment.and patience to spend like 2 years making this video to help people out.
@_ David _ I think it was more refering to the time to get the permits which I have no idea how long it takes in the USA but it can take a few months here in the UK and that he ran the system for a while to see how well it worked for the video and they said, "like 2 years", so maybe it wasnt literal.
It’s pretty amazing you were able to install this system yourself, but it’s honesty more amazing that you provide resources for people who wanna do the same! ♥️
more people start doing this and just you wait the government will make it illegal to harvest solar energy just like its illegal to collect rainwater 😅
Your install is Amazing. And you said you had fear of messing up at the start, that was the real connect with us fellow humans, and you overcame your fears. Kudos.
Great project, and we'll designed. However I don't think drilling through a chimney, even an unused chimney, and running electrical through it is code compliant in all areas. Also renders the chimney unusable instead of just unused.
For others interested in doing this DO NOT use plastic zip ties. Instead use SunBundlers, which are stainless steel and will last the life of the system.
@Brad1156 I work on telecoms. The standard zips, even indoor zips get fragile over time with heating (electric current causes heat and big box zips are cheaply made). Outdoor zips will become fragile, like any plastic. Maybe they will soon be made of PEX? There is a waxed, nylon string we called "lacing tape" I used to tie wire bundles with that seemed to do well over many years in harsh conditions. Not easy, but pro looking.
The Project Farm youtube channel has a good video on which plastic zip ties do best in different conditions, some plastic zip ties actually got stronger(or less brittle, more elastic) over time when exposed to UV, heat and other conditions, and its not always the expensive ones, great channel.
Honestly I wish more people would use clips cause I am tired of having to pull extra panels because the last person decided to ziptie every connector to the next micro or optimizer.
@@bob-ny6kn We had a huge crate of standard cable ties at work, they were stored in a freezing tool shed over the winter. Every single one would snap when you pulled them tight. An utter nightmare.
I'm not sure why, but I got a certain satisfaction for you when you said the inspector said he would consider you a professional for any future work/inspections. That's just awesome and he could have easily not given you that recognition.
Thanks! He actually said that in person and then later on called me about getting setup with the utility and said something similar again. It was a great encouragement.
This was such an informative video! Well edited, you didn't go on and on. You gave the right amount of information, was accurate...I can't compliment enough. Great work!
I bought a DIY system via a whole sale company so it should be at my house by the end of the month. Watching this video is very inspiring that I know I can’t mess it up and definitely doable for your average Joe.
A little trick for everyone security when you use a disconnect, operate the lever with your left hand so that if it blows you face is not in front of the disconnect
I won't be installing a solar system myself, but I do what to be educated enough to ask the right questions and your informative video is just the ticket. Thanks for putting the free booklet together. Much appreciation and great work.
Awesome job! Been considering this myself, one thing to note for roof prep is i would use 1-2 leayers of stick on underlayment(such as gaf ice water shield) This way you can encapsulate the attic later and never worry about leaks for the next 50 years
@@FrugalRepair It's a fact, think about it. In all those movies they have a lot of people who can kill, humans, zombies and whatever else but they always need a giant brain to save us all from ourselves lol and that sir is you. And yes it's a complement, good work.
Like the African (?) guy who took his Dad's bicycle apart and made a windmill producing electricity to power the small water pump his village desperately needed.
Wow! Having installed my own grid tie 8.4 kW system a few years back I'm seriously impressed with how well this relatively short video covers most items involved with an install. While there are lots of details to get right, most parts of the install are relatively straightforward.
That’s really encouraging for me to hear! Thanks! That’s really awesome you installed your own system! Have you been happy with the performance so far?
@@FrugalRepair Yes. Performance has been as expected. I went with micro inverters and have not had to do anything to the system since getting the okay from the utility to turn it on. Payback was similar to yours and the RECs are a nice bonus. We finish up each Fall with a ~3000 kWh surplus and use up most of that during the winter. I installed a minisplit in our main living area which allows use to heat with in a good portion of the year cutting down on oil usage. Without it our surplus would just keep growing! My compliments again on the video!
I actually watched this three years ago and said to myself, “you know, I can do that”…. And by George I did! It took 4-5 months from getting the equipment, install, and permitting but I got through it and actually got a check back from my electric co-op last year from the overage. I ended up buying a 22.77Kw 68/panel system through a company in Utah (with all the permits and plans) for 40% of the cost of what I was quoted here in FL. I installed the system myself and had an electrician hook it to the grid.
Wow, that is so amazing to hear! Thanks for coming back on to let me (us) know. I'd love to hear more about your experience if you wanted to connect shoot me an email (it's in the about section of the channel).
Wow - the roof mountings were the most interesting to me - nobody ever shows that part. Many thanks for documenting this whole process - you are helping other people in various countries. In my view - there are too many regulations for solar in each country which restricts it adoption widely.
Wow, from no experience to that finished product. Amazing!! Testament to executing a well thought out and researched plan, one smooth step at a time. No small feat at all but your killed it!!!
As a retired Electrician/Technician you did a fine job. The only thing I would have done differently would be the installation of a battery bank in the event you have a long term grid down situation. Then you have power in your home when the moon is out and none coming in. Just a back up to a backup. I am less than 30 miles from a large hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River yet my power bills have tripled in the last two years and are still climbing. I don't know why but personal power generation and backup systems are becoming more attractive and necessary here. Great Job and great video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! The power rarely goes out here and we have 1-1 netmetering. So at the time the costs for integrated batteries weren’t worth it. I think it’s a great idea if you want the backup or you have time of use rates, or something less than 1-1 net metering.
Also, I do have portable battery backup that I use in power outages. If someone is on a tight budget they could build their own battery/solar/inverter system for backup.
You have qualities of a great, clear and thorough teacher. You've now got the skills - an courage! You focused on reproducing exactly that technology, you were not afraid to ask for help, so you made it! People need you now. We have the same questions you've had, and you have most of the answers (or know where to find them). Financing may come up, and anything else that will make it easy for the average joe (like myself) to sign on the dotted line. It's one of the jobs where everybody, the fauna, the flora, Earth, and people's financial scene, all this goes upward. A beautiful win-win solution. My hats to you - you are GREAT at this. Eventually years from now when you're too old to climb on roofs, you can run teams in sales, orders and installations to multiply the goodness. I think we're all wishing you the very best! Cheers.
I must say, I cannot believe that you did this yourself. I am so impressed that you were able to do this. Great job, and great video. I got burned bad by a solar installation company, and learned the hard way.
I got solar done this year by a local company. I had an amazing experience and near zero electric bills! Very impressed you designed and did all this yourself! KUDDOS!
My Goodness.. what a nice and humble man explaining to us everything and did it all by himself so perfectly.... bravo my dear.. a big thumbs up... gonna subscribe your channel for sure..
People with an excess of neanderthal dna who think solar panels don't work, because they've been fooled by politicians that get payed by oil companies.
A large amount of people use the thumbs down to adjust the type of videos that pop up based on the YT algorithm. It is unfortunate that that is a thing.
I was really proud of myself when I installed a professional electric fence, but now, looking at what you did, my achievement was like changing a light bulb. Well done, sir.
Iv had solar for 5 years. And I started with 2 panels. Now I'm up to 10. So even for the people that can't go that big. You can start small and keep working at it. I'll get there someday. And I'm doing it without a loan so I'm happy
That's what I want to do. If you tell anyone that in the business they won't help. At least that's my experience. I understand they have to feed their family's but that doesn't help me.
@@jeffgarner3178 I'm from Canada and went with a company called Canadian energy they were awesome. And built me a package just like in the video. And I hooked it all up myself super easy. Mines all offgrid tho
@@dylanc9275 I mean, If it's that profitable in Canada, how come not everyone in texas has this, or is there huge difference in energy bills between us and canada? I mean I live in Finland, so about the same latitudes as Canada and I'm always womdering why doesn't everyone in mediterranian just max out the solar electricity+heat.
@@TheJube97 I don't understand peoples logic i just know my own. And since I started solar I have swayed about 10 people to put up solar. Because they were seeing how much it benefits me.
Very interesting. I designed and installed my own solar array nearly three years ago now - 14 panels at 350W. Interestingly, I couldn't fit them on the roof due to the roof design, so I designed and constructed a pergola in the garden with the panels on the top. The panels are adjustable for angle, with three possible positions, so there is a winter position (quite steep), a spring/autumn(fall) position and a summer position (quite shallow). Like you I used Solaredge optimisers and a single 5kW inverter. I'm in the UK so the rules are a little different, but overall, a very satisfying project with a great result.
@@FrugalRepair No. It's gone fine over the three years it's been installed. Output is pretty much on line with expectations - bearing in mind the weather we get in the UK. I did have one of the fourteen Solaredge Optimisers fail this year, but I spotted it, raised it with the supplier and they provided (and installed for me) a new one. I reckon the efficiency of the inverter is 96.52% (output of the panels to input to the system). In the first year I monitored it very closely but not so much now. My installed capacity is 4.9kW. While I have seen spikes higher than this (highest was 5.4kW) by best ever 15 minute average is 4.957 after about 18 months of service. Best this year (up to three years old) is 4.733
I install solar panels for work and I can personally say if you know the whole process it’s really not that hard and is probably a 3-4 day process with one man.
Lol I've been working in solar for years and I do not recommend this for the average person. You could potentially fuck your roof up with roof leaks. The electrical isn't too hard but if you do it wrong you could burn down your home.
Dude! Seriously impressive. I just got my first house and am looking to install solar. I consider myself fairly competent to learn home diy improvements but this was one I am very skeptical in doing myself. Seeing you start from the same area and making it work so well is beyond impressive. Well done.
These were exactly my thoughts. Looks absolutely professional and so great of you to share your experience/expertise with us. This is what RUclips is great for.
Not planning to solar a building, but I'm gonna build an auto-watering system for my herb garden. Planning to power it with a couple little solar panels, so this video caught my eye.
even if a person knows all that permit stuff they won't tell you because they think we already knew it... 😁😁, but you my friend even as a beginner, took a long way to do the same... i really appreciated it... huge respect
Great job. I would like to make a mini portable setup one day, but unless I get an electric car my electric bill is too low. We do under $1,000 per year on electric. I actually found that I can just charge my 1.3 KWH battery I keep in the van using the 12v plug while driving, but it would be interesting to attach a solar panel somewhere on that van.
I think one big place where you went right was working with the roofer. It’s not unusual to have the new roof installed and then have the solar installed. Installing the standoffs as the shingles were being installed is probably the best way to be able to do it.
Thanks! Yeah, he was cool to work with. Plus, I didn’t want to have to put the flashing in and try to pull nails out of the way under shingles, if I had to do it with the shingles already there.
Grid tie you will get pennies on unused power. The best way is to have 40/ 350 watt panels & tie into inversters & a big 30kw battery bank. Store your power to run everything at night & day👍keep what is yours & don't give away a nickel. Miroinverter isn't the answer. I know😢 But I do pull most of I can but still losing around 250 to 300 kwh back to the grid. Make sure the inverter you buy has the programming capabilities you need so your not having to do manually.👍
Very clean and impressive installation. I would pay extra for someone like you to take their time and do it right rather than get it done as fast as possible. Well done!
@@FrugalRepair you did a great job on your video and the information. I actually enjoyed watching this video I didn't get bored or annoyed this was just you did fantastic very professionally done thank you
I suggest getting a power wall installed, storing energy you’ve produced and being able to power your home during the night or if the street suffers a power loss, is definitely a great feeling.
@@Dailymailnewz panels aren’t that expensive, it’s the roof repairs, prep work and installing that jumps up the overall cost. Depending where you’re from you can get a 300 watt panel for around 250-300 dollars. Obviously in bulk it’ll be cheaper.
@@iMann_iFail but so many people are building these solar panel cells themselvs are they any good rather than paying thousands of dollars for kw regions.
@@Dailymailnewz Admittedly there are more business producing solar panels but for the individual person, they’re simply buying the panels in and setting them up their self. It’s pretty up a plug and play system now. You just need to do some research on the set up that suit you the best. Obviously if you’re planning to wire it in to your home, you need permission from your energy supplier and local council approval, etc.
@@iMann_iFail Perfectly good used industrial solar panels are available for as little as $.25/watt or less. I just purchased a large batch of beautiful 250 watt, 24 volt panels for $50 each in Phoenix.
As in installer, you did great. However, for those of you reading this, he used discounted panels and thus he needed more panels. I recommend using LG or Hyundai panels with nphase inverters. This is the best for the buck and you would have only needed 12 panels for a your system. Thus less material, time and easier layout. No need for a second roof. Don't let discounted materials factor into your overall time and extra materials list.
Thanks! I originally wanted LG 365s but they were too tall and I couldn’t get three rows in. But I agree that if you’re going to do it you should try to get the best bang for buck.
As someone who’s been in Solar for 9 years starting when I was 21 I think you did a great job I’d give this a A- one thing that I thought was really impressive for someone doing it by your self for the first time is your wire management and not running a bunch of conduit between both arrays and running everything in the roof it just looks sleek and a lot better I’ve seen other solar companies run a bunch of conduit and it looks like amateur hour and it looks horrible It reminds me of people that hang up a tv and have the wires hanging down under it so I give u major props. On that the only issue I see I would have done differently is used the enphase micro inverter instead of the solar edge with optimizers with the micros inverters you get both in one with great monitoring it might be a little more expensive but it’s worth it plus you have less components and if you ever wanna add batteries in the future enphase has a nice new battery that integrates with there micros inverters perfectly my other issue was tapping straight into the meter I’ve also preferred to go into the customers main load center into a breaker for the extra protection but other then that you did a great job for a first timer and it will give other people confidence that they can do it themselves also. Great job all around 👍 oh and one other thing I would use a non fuseable disconnect if your local jurisdiction allows it because after a few years them fuses blow out a lot and if you tie into the main load center your already protected by the breaker
Thanks for your comment! For micro inverters, yes, there is less single points of failure and a little easier on the design and install side. It’s was actually more expensive versus what I did (plus installers were telling me that had issues with enphase- though again, that was back then) but that may not be the case these days.
I'll tell you this I have never seen such a good job done on solar panels. I hate to see the edges of the roof and I've always felt that you should use the whole roof. Listening to you talk about your experience sounds identity the way I feel. One day I'll have the guts to do what you have done. Thanks to you you've given me inspiration.
Yup, school was garbage for me. Once I got access to the internet I just took a GED test and skipped years of regular school. This guy is a lot like me. :)
I built an off-grid solar battery (after the great Texas Freeze last year), have 6x100W panels and a 300amp/h battery connected. Spent about 3K total on the project and super happy that it can take anything I throw at it. Not a 1-1 grid replacement but definitely piece of mind.
living near Conroe, and going thru this several times over, I still have my old Montgomery Wards 2500 watt Briggs powered camping generator that worked fine. The fact we have a well for water for us and the horses made me buy a 13,000 watt generator which helped with the last freeze. Now I have a 210 watt panel that I will be adding to along with a 3000 watt inverter and four 100 ah batteries which helped when they shut off the power three weeks ago....it's nice to sleep without a generator running.
I had someone install all of mine. My entire roof is covered and i also had my storage shed installed with it and two large panels in the back yard that adjust to the suns direction. My panels power my house all day and night and i also make around $120 a month that i invest 50% into the energy company o use and the rest towards savings for upkeep.
@@OGCJ10 it honestly depends on your area, i actually sourced out people that purchased solar panels and never installed them so i took them off their hands at a fraction of the cost. But i also spent a pretty penny getting them to my doorstep. My setup cost around 12k for the equipment. But the cost for installation is what cornered me for a few more years. Would have been longer but, i had a buddy that gave me a discount for installation. The cost for that was 18k. That is probably the cheapest i could ever get it here in my area. It will be a very different price everywhere else, so do lots of research and source out contractors for multiple bids. I honestly wish i had the knowledge to instal it all myself like this man because it would have saved way more money on top of the savings i already had. And i dont even know if i will be living in this house long enough to actually pay off what i have already spent. But i dont have to worry about that high energy bill of 200+ in the summer and i also gain an extra 80-120 bucks every month depending on the light it receives. I have had it fully installed for a year and i have already gained around 3k in savings alone and around 1.3k in total earnings of suppling everyday to a provider. I Don’t have much in stock earning yet, but that will grow in the coming years. I am still learning about all this stuff as well, it really helps put a lot when you have a friend that knows more about it than you.
As an electrician in Europe that does these installations often.. Good job! The planning process and actual installing was very professional. How come it was not possible to install the PV directly onto your circuit breaker? I understand it would probably need some kind of max amp breaker so your house installation would get overloaded.
I’ve been mulling over solar for 2 years now and get discouraged by just how big the project seems. It’s encouraging to see content like this online. Many thanks and awesome job mate 👍🏼
I'm the same. There's a lot to know. Batteries are one. What is an Eddi. On and on. I'm researching and the only decent resource has been an Irish Fb page, however I am in Scotland so no tips for suppliers. With respect, unexpected that with no previous experience, it's possible to manage this first time without issues.
I can just imagine the energy savings from the cooling factor. The rays doesn't hit the house directly, therefore having a cooler house in the summer and not having to run the ac as often. That sounds awesome.
This is the first time I am seeing one of your videos, and I want to say, your channel is a fantastic addition. You just got a subscriber. Keep up the good work.
awesome job. Fellow diyer here and I have the same mindset to ask the professionals and those with experience. Wrangling all that information is half the battle, so big fat kudos to you for making that information available and paying it forward for the next diyer.
I am NOT even close to thinking about solar. I saw the title and length of the video n said why not. After watching the entire video I liked and subscribed. Dude stayed on topic never waivered extremely informative as well as professional!
Thank you. We've been planning for 13 years to put solar panels on our roof, but it was not possible due to regulatory issues. At last, a year ago the regulations have changed, and 3 days ago we turned on our new 21kW system. Since we live in Israel, our 1st sunny February day produced 73kWh. The system is expected to produce ~28MWh in the 1st year, about 3-4 times higher than our electricity usage. We get ~0.14$ USD per kWh we produce, from the electricity company.
Dude. This video was amazing! Very encouraging and inspirational. It's amazing how thorough and professional you were and willing to help others. I wish I could do this but feel like it's still beyond me. One day maybe. But thank you so much for this video. New fan
Congratulations. I am an engineer and I can tell you did it perfectly. A great example to show eanyone can do anything if you work hard. Believe me, you can do any engineering project.*
I love the part where solar panel installation day is literally the cloudiest day in human history, haha! Great video, thank you. Very informative, interesting and entertaining.
As someone who installs solar I have to say how well done this is. I've actually used the rail system and flashings your using in the past. We use more practical ones now (they don't need to be set up under the shingles) but still very well done.
I helped my neighbors install solar! Watch the new video HERE → ruclips.net/video/QqTAEueb_GI/видео.html Also, WHY didn't I install batteries? The BIG question. It's answered HERE → ruclips.net/video/AkPeKPuE1VE/видео.html
I am doing a new construction, and I am going to need help for my solar system. Thank you for sharing, I love your work.
Can you share your upfront cost for materials? Thanks
So you're saying your solar panels don't make you self sufficient and the only reason you have no bills is due to the money the grid pays you.... So that means it still costs you money.... Forgetting how much the grid gives you... What would your bill be if you weren't getting paid from the grid?
why no batteries? because the grid is the cheapest battery storage available.
@@mrzoukdotcomzouklambadaboo8212 It does make him self-sufficient. He generates, on average, more wattage than he uses. Where I am, the system uses 'net metering' where you pay for wattage you use, but if you produce more than you use it gets 'banked' against what you do use. So at the end of the month you pay a minimal delivery fee (that part cannot be avoided) and carry over your 'banked' wattage.
The only reason to have a battery for saving the excess is to cover you during power outages. With the newer EV's coming out though, you can just use the EV as your battery back up. Keep it charged up and if the power goes out you can use the EV's battery to keep the house powered. If the outage is only a couple hours, no big deal.
As someone who works in the solar industry let me say this guy is a hero. The time and work he put in to do the job is impressive and then share it with all for free on the internet. Bravo. I initially clicked on the video half expecting to see another non code-compliant and shabby installation but instead I found the GOAT of DIY.
Thanks for your kind words!
Or a liar, or a professional, or a professional liar. Or I m just à jalous jerk, wich is most likely the case.
@Seeker's GuidePost Reporting me? for what?
@Seeker's GuidePost again what are you accussing me of. Let's start with that, shall we? And don't give me your opinion. Accusations and facts are to diferent things in my world at least.
@Seeker's GuidePost Since when is “ridiculous horseshit” (your words) a crime that must be reported? For me, it's hilariously humorous. Perhaps between us, the one who is "lost in solitude" (your words again), on baseless charges is not me! Oh! Finally, thanks for reminding me that I'm not a jerk! But don't you worry, I know how I'm. Do you know who you aren't...Dude?
I’ve been an electrician for 27 years and am pretty impressed by your craftsmanship. Well done sir!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Was expecting another diy cowboy left thoroughly impressed.
@@champ8605 as an electrician i can say that most electricians are jsut diy cowboys
@@BULD0SIS true, pride in ones workmanship seems to be a thing of the past.
I haven't been an electrician for the past 27 years (and a European snob), and even I am impressed 😉
I love it when guys like you that did all the hard work is willing to share his knowledge and help other people to do it much easier without the struggle. Cool man!!!!
Thank you!
Oh man the world needs more people like this man that helps EVERYONE no matter what, giving all the information to the masses.
What happens if hail damages the panels?
The fact that you set that entire system up all by yourself is absolutely impressive! Tip of the hat to you, Sir. Respect!
Thank you!
All organized very well too. Wish to do an install someday myself with help of course
@@PraiseJesusChrist2024 If you want an estimate/proposal i can get you one we are in almost 19 states.
My amazing husband set up a small off grid system for our cottage, we can run a window ac, or a portable heater, small appliances, lights. It’s a one room building & we are very comfortable if the grid goes down.
Mrs Z
I have no plan to install one, but it is Very fun to watch
Thanks for watching!
I actually bought bio tech panels and yes it's worth it
@@Spidaface666 👀...
Not really the power companies resell your power that the solar system made then give you a credit on your bill.
@@kennethroth6757 before you feed back into the grid, the immediate power produced is used by whatever is running inside your home at that time.
You're an inspiration and a credit to humanity for making it easier for the next guy thank you
Thanks for your kind words!
Agreed.
I totally agree. You have come a long way from being a beginner.
As I was watching your video I was saying to myself install a new roof first. And you did. Good job.
How protect those solar from breaking of tree leaves and things could damage solar
Not talked about is the massive taxpayer subsidies that make this possible ,
How would you like to live next door to this mirrored albatross , he does not speak of the many downsides of the solar which far from helps humanity
Lmfao , you tools don't seem to understand that you paid for this and will continue to pay for this guy's toy .nothing here is affordable or on the market without huge government subsidies ....your tax money Skippy
What’s most impressive is that he was not afraid to hire people for specific tasks he knew he wouldn’t do very well in. Most peoples ego would stop them
defiantly , don't be a hero . Sometimes you are better off paying a professional .
lol unless he is able to stamp drawings himself, he NEEDS to hire it out.
@@bankruptsee Exactly, if you need stamped plans, has to be hired out. Also, many electric companies won't pull/replace a meter without a licensed sparky there. So there are some things that, ego or not, you're not getting done without hiring someone.
Well, in some countries some work need to be done by certified companies. Atleast, if you want to be cashed out by insurance company when things go south
there's so much paperwork with the city, licenses, and inspections needed when it comes to this stuff, probably easier to hire it out in most places.
I can't believe the "Made my own checkbox" thing worked for the permit haha!
Yep, they didn't say anything about it! I picked it up the next day, approved.
@@FrugalRepair almost sounds like they’re cool as long as they get their money 😂
ok thanks im not the only one in aww haha
his city permits department people r: real people practical people / the government people we need
I work with medical documents that can be audited by the FDA all the time, and allow me to say: yeah, we use manual check boxes all the time, standard documents suck lol
This guy took DIY to a whole new level.
Is like 11pm and I am starting to look on home depot and lowes for tools 👍 thank you.
It's not the best idea to believe everything we see on RUclips.
As a solar project manager and engineer, everything seemed very correct. The only thing I would change is not using zip ties. You want everything on the roof to last as long as the warranty. Zip ties have about half the lifespan of the PV module warranty. It’s a small thing but everything else was spot on. Good job.
Thanks! The zip ties are mainly backup to the IR clips but I’ll be keeping an eye on the PV cables.
Yeah we use stainless steel zip ties
The zip ties are static anyway, they will last albeit getting brittle over time.
May be water hose clamp form auto part store is better
you can use snap in connectors instead of zip ties, they make ones that have a rubber barrel that fits inside the snap in connector. Look at any cell tower you see and notice the wires that are dressed in coming down the tower. That is the most expensive but, longest lasting system for dressing lines. But the main reason for them is RF loss due to pinched lines isn't possible. You can install as many panels as you want but if you pinch the lines or they get pinched from dangerous weather, You will not get the maximum outputs from your system.
I know this is 3 years old but wow. This made me cry thinking about how proud you mustve been to flip the switch finally. Incredible job
Thank you! I’m very thankful for the opportunity.
I like how you are not being 'selfish' and let people help you when you don't feel comfortable.
I received a lot of help from people and I'm very thankful!
Screw you , if not for taxpayers that made this hobby possible you would not have it
Thank taxpayers , after all , we all payed for it and had no voice in the matter
@@ynot6781 You don't know how incentives work do you? its his personal taxes being reduced by a fixed amount. Once that amount has been accounted for, the rebate is done and he goes back to paying his normal taxes immediately. That has nothing to do with your, mine or anyone else's taxes, just what he pays in for 1 or 2 years, depending on how much the rebate is compared to what he would normally pay out of pocket. At no point did he receive any money from the rest of us via this process.
Also, blaming him for the government stealing from you is counter productive. Get involved in the political process, and help give the boot to the welfare state, which almost 90% of our taxes go to fund, and then we can go back to having a 1-2% tax rate for all of us, where it should be.
Wish I'd done it...
@@ynot6781 bruh you sound like an old man who doesn't know how taxes work. he DOESN'T use tax payers money and if he even is. This dude is using less than a penny, so stop acting like a stuck up child
I didn't realize you made a video on the whole process! This is awesome! Also props on the time investment.and patience to spend like 2 years making this video to help people out.
Thanks for the encouraging words!
@_ David _ I think it was more refering to the time to get the permits which I have no idea how long it takes in the USA but it can take a few months here in the UK and that he ran the system for a while to see how well it worked for the video and they said, "like 2 years", so maybe it wasnt literal.
It’s pretty amazing you were able to install this system yourself, but it’s honesty more amazing that you provide resources for people who wanna do the same! ♥️
Thanks for your kind words!
I wouldnt do it yourself unless you really know what your doing.
more people start doing this and just you wait the government will make it illegal to harvest solar energy just like its illegal to collect rainwater 😅
@@yangpaan453 where is harvesting rain water is illegal 😐😂😂 my bro
@@imgpatil couple of states, california to name one.
Finally! Someone with appreciation for details!! Code compliance is paramount!
Your install is Amazing. And you said you had fear of messing up at the start, that was the real connect with us fellow humans, and you overcame your fears. Kudos.
Thanks! Yes, it was a little intimidating at first but I’ve been so happy with it since. Now I’m able to help others put in solar.
@@FrugalRepair do you get money saying solar panels are great? Because I don't think they can save us (except for the bills...)
"That was the real connect with us fellow humans"
I don't know about anyone else but this "being" here is kinda sus.
This is a really good video. Great quality in all aspects! Nice work.
Thank you for watching and your encouragement! It was a really fun project.
Agreed 👍🏼
Ayyye this guy
Great project, and we'll designed. However I don't think drilling through a chimney, even an unused chimney, and running electrical through it is code compliant in all areas. Also renders the chimney unusable instead of just unused.
Have you fixed those Nintendo switches yet?
For others interested in doing this DO NOT use plastic zip ties. Instead use SunBundlers, which are stainless steel and will last the life of the system.
@Brad1156 I work on telecoms. The standard zips, even indoor zips get fragile over time with heating (electric current causes heat and big box zips are cheaply made). Outdoor zips will become fragile, like any plastic. Maybe they will soon be made of PEX? There is a waxed, nylon string we called "lacing tape" I used to tie wire bundles with that seemed to do well over many years in harsh conditions. Not easy, but pro looking.
The Project Farm youtube channel has a good video on which plastic zip ties do best in different conditions, some plastic zip ties actually got stronger(or less brittle, more elastic) over time when exposed to UV, heat and other conditions, and its not always the expensive ones, great channel.
plastic in heat is not good thats why you use metal stuff
Honestly I wish more people would use clips cause I am tired of having to pull extra panels because the last person decided to ziptie every connector to the next micro or optimizer.
@@bob-ny6kn We had a huge crate of standard cable ties at work, they were stored in a freezing tool shed over the winter. Every single one would snap when you pulled them tight. An utter nightmare.
I'm not sure why, but I got a certain satisfaction for you when you said the inspector said he would consider you a professional for any future work/inspections. That's just awesome and he could have easily not given you that recognition.
Thanks! He actually said that in person and then later on called me about getting setup with the utility and said something similar again. It was a great encouragement.
This was such an informative video! Well edited, you didn't go on and on. You gave the right amount of information, was accurate...I can't compliment enough. Great work!
Wow, thank you for your kind comment!
I agree, very good editing skills. Must have taken hours. RUclips and people like US. Thank you. I love the part where you little helper was helping.
I bought a DIY system via a whole sale company so it should be at my house by the end of the month. Watching this video is very inspiring that I know I can’t mess it up and definitely doable for your average Joe.
Wow, that is great! Shoot me an email if you have any questions. I'd love to help if I can.
I don't suppose you could post a video of your installation as well? Lol
Nervousness is sometimes a key to success, second guessing yourself actually keeps you from overlooking anything.
I got a roof ads uhhhhhh
This guy is super smart. I would not do this myself but it helps to understand installation so I know who to trust to do the work.
A little trick for everyone security when you use a disconnect, operate the lever with your left hand so that if it blows you face is not in front of the disconnect
A trick or a rule!!
You use your right hand as the current takes a slightly longer path to your heart if you were to shock yourself.
I use my teeth
I won't be installing a solar system myself, but I do what to be educated enough to ask the right questions and your informative video is just the ticket. Thanks for putting the free booklet together. Much appreciation and great work.
Thanks! I will be releasing a new solar video in a little bit here and hopefully it will help too.
@@FrugalRepair I have no doubt that it will.
That roof was made for solar, no vent pipes or anything blocking any spots, just ideal! Glad you took advantage of that clean roof.
Awesome job! Been considering this myself, one thing to note for roof prep is i would use 1-2 leayers of stick on underlayment(such as gaf ice water shield) This way you can encapsulate the attic later and never worry about leaks for the next 50 years
This is a guy you need to keep alive in the zombie wars. He will be one of the people helping us get back to normal lol.
LOL
@@FrugalRepair It's a fact, think about it. In all those movies they have a lot of people who can kill, humans, zombies and whatever else but they always need a giant brain to save us all from ourselves lol and that sir is you. And yes it's a complement, good work.
Really? His system is going down with the grid dummies.
Like the African (?) guy who took his Dad's bicycle apart and made a windmill producing electricity to power the small water pump his village desperately needed.
We can't get back to normal after a virus. Zombies gonna win heavy.
Wow! Having installed my own grid tie 8.4 kW system a few years back I'm seriously impressed with how well this relatively short video covers most items involved with an install. While there are lots of details to get right, most parts of the install are relatively straightforward.
That’s really encouraging for me to hear! Thanks! That’s really awesome you installed your own system! Have you been happy with the performance so far?
@@FrugalRepair Yes. Performance has been as expected. I went with micro inverters and have not had to do anything to the system since getting the okay from the utility to turn it on. Payback was similar to yours and the RECs are a nice bonus. We finish up each Fall with a ~3000 kWh surplus and use up most of that during the winter. I installed a minisplit in our main living area which allows use to heat with in a good portion of the year cutting down on oil usage. Without it our surplus would just keep growing! My compliments again on the video!
That’s awesome! What state are you in? I’m in PA.
@@FrugalRepair I'm in NH.
@@FrugalRepair I"m outside Philadelphia. You nearby? How I'd love to see that system.
The guy whom approved his papers must me like "haha yeah man, I like you, go on!"
I actually watched this three years ago and said to myself, “you know, I can do that”…. And by George I did! It took 4-5 months from getting the equipment, install, and permitting but I got through it and actually got a check back from my electric co-op last year from the overage. I ended up buying a 22.77Kw 68/panel system through a company in Utah (with all the permits and plans) for 40% of the cost of what I was quoted here in FL. I installed the system myself and had an electrician hook it to the grid.
Wow, that is so amazing to hear! Thanks for coming back on to let me (us) know. I'd love to hear more about your experience if you wanted to connect shoot me an email (it's in the about section of the channel).
There's something super satisfying about seeing a massive solar array. You could charge an EV off that puppy.
VEWWWYY slowly. Solid state batteries systems seem to charge much faster.
Wow - the roof mountings were the most interesting to me - nobody ever shows that part. Many thanks for documenting this whole process - you are helping other people in various countries. In my view - there are too many regulations for solar in each country which restricts it adoption widely.
Thanks for watching!
restrictions for a reason. DC power is nothing to fuck with
@@lebong4606 BS, the restrictions are to protect the trades that suck our money out of our wallets.
The Joos who own everything see to it that you remain subservient slaves.
Wow, from no experience to that finished product. Amazing!! Testament to executing a well thought out and researched plan, one smooth step at a time.
No small feat at all but your killed it!!!
Thank you!
As a retired Electrician/Technician you did a fine job. The only thing I would have done differently would be the installation of a battery bank in the event you have a long term grid down situation. Then you have power in your home when the moon is out and none coming in. Just a back up to a backup. I am less than 30 miles from a large hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River yet my power bills have tripled in the last two years and are still climbing. I don't know why but personal power generation and backup systems are becoming more attractive and necessary here. Great Job and great video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! The power rarely goes out here and we have 1-1 netmetering. So at the time the costs for integrated batteries weren’t worth it. I think it’s a great idea if you want the backup or you have time of use rates, or something less than 1-1 net metering.
Also, I do have portable battery backup that I use in power outages. If someone is on a tight budget they could build their own battery/solar/inverter system for backup.
You have qualities of a great, clear and thorough teacher. You've now got the skills - an courage! You focused on reproducing exactly that technology, you were not afraid to ask for help, so you made it! People need you now. We have the same questions you've had, and you have most of the answers (or know where to find them). Financing may come up, and anything else that will make it easy for the average joe (like myself) to sign on the dotted line. It's one of the jobs where everybody, the fauna, the flora, Earth, and people's financial scene, all this goes upward. A beautiful win-win solution. My hats to you - you are GREAT at this. Eventually years from now when you're too old to climb on roofs, you can run teams in sales, orders and installations to multiply the goodness. I think we're all wishing you the very best! Cheers.
Thank you very much for your gracious and kind words!
I must say, I cannot believe that you did this yourself. I am so impressed that you were able to do this. Great job, and great video. I got burned bad by a solar installation company, and learned the hard way.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience! Thanks for watching, it was definitely a fun and rewarding project.
I got solar done this year by a local company. I had an amazing experience and near zero electric bills! Very impressed you designed and did all this yourself! KUDDOS!
That’s awesome you got solar and your super low electric bills!
My Goodness.. what a nice and humble man explaining to us everything and did it all by himself so perfectly.... bravo my dear.. a big thumbs up... gonna subscribe your channel for sure..
Thank you for watching and your kinds words! BTW- love the lego movie.
Why is there a 1k of downvotes, jesus man, this guy rocks. Content rich, no BS, filler.
People with an excess of neanderthal dna who think solar panels don't work, because they've been fooled by politicians that get payed by oil companies.
A large amount of people use the thumbs down to adjust the type of videos that pop up based on the YT algorithm. It is unfortunate that that is a thing.
@@Invincibletro can't they just click don't recommend channel or not interested. I always do that to any particular videos that I don't want to see.
@@bella2308 I wish, the thumbs down is just so handy. RUclips should change this for sure... Thanks for the reply.
It's from the solar power installers that lose out on business because everyone will DIY it. Hahahaha
Your inspector is right, you've done an outstanding job. I could tell right away it was going to be good when I saw how conscientious you are.
Thank you for your kind words! His reaction was a big highlight for me.
I was really proud of myself when I installed a professional electric fence, but now, looking at what you did, my achievement was like changing a light bulb. Well done, sir.
I love the honesty in this video. Absolutely inspirational.
Thanks for watching!
Iv had solar for 5 years. And I started with 2 panels. Now I'm up to 10. So even for the people that can't go that big. You can start small and keep working at it. I'll get there someday. And I'm doing it without a loan so I'm happy
That’s awesome!
That's what I want to do. If you tell anyone that in the business they won't help. At least that's my experience. I understand they have to feed their family's but that doesn't help me.
@@jeffgarner3178 I'm from Canada and went with a company called Canadian energy they were awesome. And built me a package just like in the video. And I hooked it all up myself super easy. Mines all offgrid tho
@@dylanc9275 I mean, If it's that profitable in Canada, how come not everyone in texas has this, or is there huge difference in energy bills between us and canada? I mean I live in Finland, so about the same latitudes as Canada and I'm always womdering why doesn't everyone in mediterranian just max out the solar electricity+heat.
@@TheJube97 I don't understand peoples logic i just know my own. And since I started solar I have swayed about 10 people to put up solar. Because they were seeing how much it benefits me.
Very interesting. I designed and installed my own solar array nearly three years ago now - 14 panels at 350W. Interestingly, I couldn't fit them on the roof due to the roof design, so I designed and constructed a pergola in the garden with the panels on the top. The panels are adjustable for angle, with three possible positions, so there is a winter position (quite steep), a spring/autumn(fall) position and a summer position (quite shallow). Like you I used Solaredge optimisers and a single 5kW inverter. I'm in the UK so the rules are a little different, but overall, a very satisfying project with a great result.
Wow, that is great to hear you installed solar! Thanks for sharing. Have you been happy with production or had any issues over those three years?
@@FrugalRepair No. It's gone fine over the three years it's been installed. Output is pretty much on line with expectations - bearing in mind the weather we get in the UK. I did have one of the fourteen Solaredge Optimisers fail this year, but I spotted it, raised it with the supplier and they provided (and installed for me) a new one. I reckon the efficiency of the inverter is 96.52% (output of the panels to input to the system). In the first year I monitored it very closely but not so much now. My installed capacity is 4.9kW. While I have seen spikes higher than this (highest was 5.4kW) by best ever 15 minute average is 4.957 after about 18 months of service. Best this year (up to three years old) is 4.733
That’s great to hear!
@justin brown not sure how I can get a pic into here. advice?
I install solar panels for work and I can personally say if you know the whole process it’s really not that hard and is probably a 3-4 day process with one man.
Agreed!
I kinda want to get into it I been a roofer and did electrical for remodeling company. Might be my career move someday.
Lol I've been working in solar for years and I do not recommend this for the average person. You could potentially fuck your roof up with roof leaks. The electrical isn't too hard but if you do it wrong you could burn down your home.
@@geodude6244 i am a carpintar and i did it, now i have my team i am at the Top. Solar teck is my new live, Making Good Money and i Love it.
@@johnbroski1993 woah how many houses have you burnt down
You left my mouth wide open from the second I opened this video. Phenomenal work sir!
Thanks for watching!
Dude! Seriously impressive. I just got my first house and am looking to install solar. I consider myself fairly competent to learn home diy improvements but this was one I am very skeptical in doing myself. Seeing you start from the same area and making it work so well is beyond impressive. Well done.
Thank you! I really hope you can DIY it. It was fun and rewarding.
These were exactly my thoughts. Looks absolutely professional and so great of you to share your experience/expertise with us. This is what RUclips is great for.
Not planning to solar a building, but I'm gonna build an auto-watering system for my herb garden. Planning to power it with a couple little solar panels, so this video caught my eye.
Sounds like a great project!
Farm.bot :)
Do you watch leadfarmer73
The most important takeaway from this video...realize your fears and find a way to overcome them. Many people never do that.
Very much agree!
aand that you need a shitload of permits
@@25566 Depends on where you live..
Thank you, I have wanted to do this. Its good to see someone who already has.
Thanks! Hopefully you can get to it soon.
The amount of research and work that went into this is ,is amazing 👏 , you sir have earned the pro title ....clearly . Awesome job !!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it.
even if a person knows all that permit stuff they won't tell you because they think we already knew it... 😁😁, but you my friend even as a beginner, took a long way to do the same... i really appreciated it... huge respect
Thanks!
Great job. I would like to make a mini portable setup one day, but unless I get an electric car my electric bill is too low. We do under $1,000 per year on electric. I actually found that I can just charge my 1.3 KWH battery I keep in the van using the 12v plug while driving, but it would be interesting to attach a solar panel somewhere on that van.
Thanks for watching! You have a very low power bill. That's great. Starting small with one solar panel is also a great idea.
I think one big place where you went right was working with the roofer. It’s not unusual to have the new roof installed and then have the solar installed. Installing the standoffs as the shingles were being installed is probably the best way to be able to do it.
Thanks! Yeah, he was cool to work with. Plus, I didn’t want to have to put the flashing in and try to pull nails out of the way under shingles, if I had to do it with the shingles already there.
I'm an engineer and DIY type guy and man did you knock this project out of the park! Great job.
Great info for anyone thinking about solar. Now You could start a solar business and make bank. 👍
Thanks! I enjoy helping others get solar if it’s right for them.
And have the possibility of getting sued if his solar panel work burns down or damages a person's house? Lol
@@kaitzu4560 Yeah right as if pssssfffff.
@@kaitzu4560 That's why companies get licensed and bonded
capitalist minded
Grid tie you will get pennies on unused power.
The best way is to have 40/ 350 watt panels & tie into inversters & a big 30kw battery bank.
Store your power to run everything at night & day👍keep what is yours & don't give away a nickel.
Miroinverter isn't the answer. I know😢 But I do pull most of I can but still losing around 250 to 300 kwh back to the grid. Make sure the inverter you buy has the programming capabilities you need so your not having to do manually.👍
Very clean and impressive installation. I would pay extra for someone like you to take their time and do it right rather than get it done as fast as possible. Well done!
Thank you for watching and that encouragement!
@@FrugalRepair you did a great job on your video and the information. I actually enjoyed watching this video I didn't get bored or annoyed this was just you did fantastic very professionally done thank you
I suggest getting a power wall installed, storing energy you’ve produced and being able to power your home during the night or if the street suffers a power loss, is definitely a great feeling.
But he did not share on how much it cost him to buy all those panel etc.
@@Dailymailnewz panels aren’t that expensive, it’s the roof repairs, prep work and installing that jumps up the overall cost. Depending where you’re from you can get a 300 watt panel for around 250-300 dollars. Obviously in bulk it’ll be cheaper.
@@iMann_iFail but so many people are building these solar panel cells themselvs are they any good rather than paying thousands of dollars for kw regions.
@@Dailymailnewz Admittedly there are more business producing solar panels but for the individual person, they’re simply buying the panels in and setting them up their self. It’s pretty up a plug and play system now. You just need to do some research on the set up that suit you the best. Obviously if you’re planning to wire it in to your home, you need permission from your energy supplier and local council approval, etc.
@@iMann_iFail Perfectly good used industrial solar panels are available for as little as $.25/watt or less. I just purchased a large batch of beautiful 250 watt, 24 volt panels for $50 each in Phoenix.
As in installer, you did great. However, for those of you reading this, he used discounted panels and thus he needed more panels. I recommend using LG or Hyundai panels with nphase inverters. This is the best for the buck and you would have only needed 12 panels for a your system. Thus less material, time and easier layout. No need for a second roof. Don't let discounted materials factor into your overall time and extra materials list.
Thanks! I originally wanted LG 365s but they were too tall and I couldn’t get three rows in. But I agree that if you’re going to do it you should try to get the best bang for buck.
Only 12 panels?! Wow, I'll have one of whatever you're drinking.
What a legend!!! makes it easier for others for free. Even spends his own time to write it.
Thanks for watching!
The way this vid was made lets me know how focused minded you are. Stellar work roof and vid. Very well made (everything)
Thanks for your kind words!
This is so impressive that you did this yourself, what a huge job.
Thank you!
Impressive!!! You self taught your way through this project. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching and commenting!
As someone who’s been in Solar for 9 years starting when I was 21 I think you did a great job I’d give this a A- one thing that I thought was really impressive for someone doing it by your self for the first time is your wire management and not running a bunch of conduit between both arrays and running everything in the roof it just looks sleek and a lot better I’ve seen other solar companies run a bunch of conduit and it looks like amateur hour and it looks horrible It reminds me of people that hang up a tv and have the wires hanging down under it so I give u major props. On that the only issue I see I would have done differently is used the enphase micro inverter instead of the solar edge with optimizers with the micros inverters you get both in one with great monitoring it might be a little more expensive but it’s worth it plus you have less components and if you ever wanna add batteries in the future enphase has a nice new battery that integrates with there micros inverters perfectly my other issue was tapping straight into the meter I’ve also preferred to go into the customers main load center into a breaker for the extra protection but other then that you did a great job for a first timer and it will give other people confidence that they can do it themselves also. Great job all around 👍 oh and one other thing I would use a non fuseable disconnect if your local jurisdiction allows it because after a few years them fuses blow out a lot and if you tie into the main load center your already protected by the breaker
Thanks for your comment! For micro inverters, yes, there is less single points of failure and a little easier on the design and install side. It’s was actually more expensive versus what I did (plus installers were telling me that had issues with enphase- though again, that was back then) but that may not be the case these days.
what happens when someone needed to reshingle a roof ? do you have get a new roof ? or can you remove and put the panels back up ?
Just had to do this recently. You just remove the panels and put them back up. @@nfabulous2932
You really dislike periods lol
Wow, your installation could even feed power into the grid and getting credit for it ! That's amazing !
How good is the kickback? is this worth the investment? Do you need a license?
I'll tell you this I have never seen such a good job done on solar panels. I hate to see the edges of the roof and I've always felt that you should use the whole roof. Listening to you talk about your experience sounds identity the way I feel. One day I'll have the guts to do what you have done. Thanks to you you've given me inspiration.
Thanks! Hopefully one day you can too.
Now. This is the best recommendation from RUclips! I learned a lot 🥰
Thanks for watching!
One of the most honest and informative videos I’ve ever seen
Thanks for watching!
When fast learning meets proper execution..
Yup, school was garbage for me. Once I got access to the internet I just took a GED test and skipped years of regular school. This guy is a lot like me. :)
I built an off-grid solar battery (after the great Texas Freeze last year), have 6x100W panels and a 300amp/h battery connected. Spent about 3K total on the project and super happy that it can take anything I throw at it. Not a 1-1 grid replacement but definitely piece of mind.
Nice!
living near Conroe, and going thru this several times over, I still have my old Montgomery Wards 2500 watt Briggs powered camping generator that worked fine. The fact we have a well for water for us and the horses made me buy a 13,000 watt generator which helped with the last freeze. Now I have a 210 watt panel that I will be adding to along with a 3000 watt inverter and four 100 ah batteries which helped when they shut off the power three weeks ago....it's nice to sleep without a generator running.
I had someone install all of mine. My entire roof is covered and i also had my storage shed installed with it and two large panels in the back yard that adjust to the suns direction. My panels power my house all day and night and i also make around $120 a month that i invest 50% into the energy company o use and the rest towards savings for upkeep.
That’s cool!
Approximately how much did it all cost ? Trying to determine if the initial investment is worth it.
@@OGCJ10 it honestly depends on your area, i actually sourced out people that purchased solar panels and never installed them so i took them off their hands at a fraction of the cost. But i also spent a pretty penny getting them to my doorstep. My setup cost around 12k for the equipment. But the cost for installation is what cornered me for a few more years. Would have been longer but, i had a buddy that gave me a discount for installation. The cost for that was 18k. That is probably the cheapest i could ever get it here in my area. It will be a very different price everywhere else, so do lots of research and source out contractors for multiple bids. I honestly wish i had the knowledge to instal it all myself like this man because it would have saved way more money on top of the savings i already had. And i dont even know if i will be living in this house long enough to actually pay off what i have already spent. But i dont have to worry about that high energy bill of 200+ in the summer and i also gain an extra 80-120 bucks every month depending on the light it receives. I have had it fully installed for a year and i have already gained around 3k in savings alone and around 1.3k in total earnings of suppling everyday to a provider. I Don’t have much in stock earning yet, but that will grow in the coming years. I am still learning about all this stuff as well, it really helps put a lot when you have a friend that knows more about it than you.
This is brilliant. You’re very intelligent! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for your kind words and for watching!
This is a fantastic video, filled with more practical and actionable information than I've gotten in about 10 similar videos. Great Work!!!
Wow, that’s encouraging to hear. Thanks!
As an electrician in Europe that does these installations often.. Good job!
The planning process and actual installing was very professional.
How come it was not possible to install the PV directly onto your circuit breaker?
I understand it would probably need some kind of max amp breaker so your house installation would get overloaded.
Thanks! It was too many amps for the busbar. Plus I didn’t have any extra breaker slots.
I’ve been mulling over solar for 2 years now and get discouraged by just how big the project seems. It’s encouraging to see content like this online. Many thanks and awesome job mate 👍🏼
Hope the videos are helpful! The next video coming out is also going to be a diy solar install.
I'm the same. There's a lot to know. Batteries are one. What is an Eddi. On and on. I'm researching and the only decent resource has been an Irish Fb page, however I am in Scotland so no tips for suppliers.
With respect, unexpected that with no previous experience, it's possible to manage this first time without issues.
I can just imagine the energy savings from the cooling factor. The rays doesn't hit the house directly, therefore having a cooler house in the summer and not having to run the ac as often. That sounds awesome.
This is amazing! Thank you for taking rhe challenge and then being willing to share your understanding with others. Well done!
Thanks for your encouraging words! It was a really fun project to work on. I hope I can help as many as I can.
This is the first time I am seeing one of your videos, and I want to say, your channel is a fantastic addition. You just got a subscriber. Keep up the good work.
Awesome, thanks!
What do you think about getting solar? Check the video description section for the various links.
What was the size of the system?
I highly suggest you go into business.
System is 15.6kw
You mean as a solar installer?
@@FrugalRepair Why Not? There are courses available that you could breeze through now. Get an electrician on contract.
awesome job. Fellow diyer here and I have the same mindset to ask the professionals and those with experience.
Wrangling all that information is half the battle, so big fat kudos to you for making that information available and paying it forward for the next diyer.
Thanks for the note and for watching!
Damn bro, the amount of knowledge digging you had to make... incredible work
Thanks!
All the research you did is why we hire someone to install such a system! Good Vid
All I can say is God Bless your soul for really helping out
Helping out what?
Co2 isn't bad it's life
True abiy supporter ✊
@@VCanisMajorisY help out to actually install a solar panal
@@greenflameproductions6535 if U are talking about Dr. Abiy ahmed, no I am not I do not stand for war but peace
I am NOT even close to thinking about solar. I saw the title and length of the video n said why not. After watching the entire video I liked and subscribed. Dude stayed on topic never waivered extremely informative as well as professional!
Thanks for watching!
3 minutes in, I figured out I'm paying someone
😂
Thank you. We've been planning for 13 years to put solar panels on our roof, but it was not possible due to regulatory issues. At last, a year ago the regulations have changed, and 3 days ago we turned on our new 21kW system. Since we live in Israel, our 1st sunny February day produced 73kWh. The system is expected to produce ~28MWh in the 1st year, about 3-4 times higher than our electricity usage. We get ~0.14$ USD per kWh we produce, from the electricity company.
Glad to hear you finally were able to get solar! That’s great.
Fantastic video, Rhys! Wow, you are a professional when it comes to solar.
Thanks!
Dude. This video was amazing! Very encouraging and inspirational. It's amazing how thorough and professional you were and willing to help others. I wish I could do this but feel like it's still beyond me. One day maybe. But thank you so much for this video. New fan
Congratulations. I am an engineer and I can tell you did it perfectly. A great example to show eanyone can do anything if you work hard. Believe me, you can do any engineering project.*
Thank you for your encouragement!
I love the part where solar panel installation day is literally the cloudiest day in human history, haha! Great video, thank you. Very informative, interesting and entertaining.
You've never been to England
The inspector was definetly right, this is very professional work, well done man you are a really smart hooman :)
Thank you!
I love “solar envy,” I’ve never heard a term for what I suffer from! You are an absolute inspiration, this is beyond cool. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
As someone who installs solar I have to say how well done this is. I've actually used the rail system and flashings your using in the past. We use more practical ones now (they don't need to be set up under the shingles) but still very well done.
Thank you for your kind words!
lol well share what the new and improved stuff is! Don't be shy!
@@MS-gn4gl rt-mini self flashing mounting bases made by roof tech. They are much easier to use.
You're awesome! I love how you did everything yourself without giving up! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks, and thanks for watching!
This is an incredible thing! Thanks for sharing what you learned!
Thanks for your kind words! And for watching.
Thank you so much for sharing your hard work and success! I am encouraged to begin this process by reading your free guide. God bless.