What are the benefits of utilizing solar energy as a renewable and eco-friendly power source?
Asked by Oline Englund 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 23, 2024
I’m looking to switch to solar energy because it’s more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
Nice job 👊🤙
Oh wow, 60 amps! That’s a solid 40 kilowatts of solar power.
Spent a lot of money for a little power. I wonder how long it will take for the owner to break even?
Do you know when your car will start making a profit?
Not great-looking
It’ll take 30 years to pay off, and you’ll need new panels in 10. Oh boy.
Wow, it all comes down to basic math, right? 👀
Michael, the lifespan of solar panels can exceed 20 years depending on the atmospheric conditions above the installation.
In my over a decade of experience in solar, I’ve rarely encountered panels that just stop working, except for a few cases where they never worked from the beginning. Recently, we extended a house with Enron brand panels from 1997, and they were all still operational.
On the other hand, you may need to replace a few micro inverters within 10 years, but from my experience, getting Enphase to replace them for free within the warranty period has not been an issue.
Has experienced situations where individuals invested 67k in a ground mount for a 1965-70 single wide trailer, but never made that money back. It’s just basic math.
I agree. I have a customer who installed in 2011 and had three micro inverters go out recently. Enphase sent replacements under warranty without any red tape.
When will you start seeing returns on what you paid for your new truck? It’s basic math.
When will you start getting returns on that generator? It’s just basic math.
Tell that to all the people dealing with 10-year-old failing L A3 and B3 modules. I’ve had to replace plenty of them.
Kelby, that’s a cool story!
No permanent bond? Still, a clean job!
You know, I think you’re supposed to remove the paint from behind the bushing attached to the back of your unfused disconnect.
It’s actually bonded by the screw and installed that way when it comes from the factory. It’s a good idea to scrape off the paint when you’re setting up your own ground bar.
Hey Ryan, just a heads up that you don’t need a permanent marker as long as you tap into a factory hole correctly. No scraping required according to the code.
Is a NYSERDA code. I’ve seen several failed inspections for those same reasons.
Ryan’s local BS revisions are not in compliance with the NEC.
In my experience, , NYSERDA can be a bit of a pain when it comes to getting permission to operate. I mostly work in NY, so I can’t speak for other places like Vermont. But it’s always a good idea to follow best practices, just to be safe.
In some cases you may need to take out the bushing screw and put in a green one. NY is terrible.
Ryan, once again, local amendments created by uninformed politicians don’t hold weight. According to the code, solar shouldn’t be treated as a separately derived service. If it is, people need to actually read the code instead of misinterpreting it.
Solar power isn’t the same as regular electricity… There are specific codes for grounding and more. Feel free to share your thoughts with the inspectors, but they might just have a good laugh as they drive away without tagging your equipment.
Last autumn, my son had those installed on his house. He phoned me yesterday because of an AFCI tripping. Turns out the installers placed a splice box between the meter pan and the panel. The 2″ nipple between the pan and the box wasn’t sealed properly, allowing water to seep down the service cable and saturate the entire left side of the panel! Completely unprofessional.
You only need those PV power source stickers on DC systems, so no need for them on micro inverter setups. Also, the ‘equipped with rapid shutdown’ label on the disconnect switch should actually read ‘rapid shutdown switch for solar PV system.’ One indicates the system has RSD, while the other shows it’s the RSD initiator.
Paul, there isn’t a manufactured RSD on modern residential installations, so you’re misunderstanding the code.
What’s up, ?
Hey Paul, you’re new to the solar game, right?
Here’s a tip for a battery system. If the grid goes down, it switches to backup mode without the AC disconnect being the RSD initiator. That’s why it’s labeled as the ‘RSD switch for PV system’.
I have 13 years of experience in the field. With micros, RSD functionality is built-in, while string inverters require additional units on each panel to control voltage. The ‘rsd switch for solar pv system’ label indicates the switch for RSD. In the past, control wires had to be run from a button on the ground to physically disconnect PV wires.
Paul, in 2014 Midnite Solar introduced the first pushbutton RSD, which was later integrated into inverters. Enphase systems have RSD built into each microinverter, making additional disconnects secondary. The yellow house sticker is crucial for compliance.
Do you specialize in micro inverters and SolarEdge? SMA inverters have built-in ‘sunspec’ RSD function, but still need an additional RSD unit per panel. Sol Ark and Fronius require separate units on each panel, along with a transmitter for communication. We prefer using AP smarts and their RSD transmitter. Tigo is facing legal issues for causing roof fires. SMA inverters can be set up to trigger RSD using the AC or DC disconnect, allowing for solar power usage during grid outages.
Paul, the pushbutton you mentioned is a key feature of Sol Ark systems. Other brands require a separate battery disconnect. Sol Ark may be a bit behind in battery technology compared to their competitors like Enphase.
Can we see some photos of the installations you’ve done?
Paul uses a Tigo type RSD with his SMA system. AP systems are really outdated compared to others.
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Paul, there are many things missing in this picture, along with code and UL violations. What do you think, buddy?
Can you teach me about this? They all passed inspections on the first try.
I still haven’t seen any of your installations. Are you all talk?
Are you looking for codes from 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, or 2023?
I might even have some from before 2008 if you’re interested, big shooter.
Paul, having an uneducated and potentially unlicensed inspector is not something to boast about. It sounds like things are a bit chaotic there if you believe that passing code/UL is a badge of honor.
Solar is a bit of a joke when it comes to codes. Inspectors are primarily concerned with electrical components and labels. Everything else is secondary unless there’s a fire inspection. The inspector may only be able to interpret plans and not necessarily understand what they’re looking at! Unless this picture is just showing off fancy curled and bent wires. 🤷♂️
It seems like you’re the one who’s struggling here. You haven’t addressed the actual issues or provided any examples of your superior work.
You’re allowed to mount on combustible surfaces over there?
Michael nithorne not in accordance with the 2023 fire code updates, but no AHJs are knowledgeable about that. In addition to using lifepo batteries, which are much more stable and have virtually no risk of fire compared to the lithium ion chemistry found in most powerwall style batteries, if we are mounting on an interior garage wall as opposed to the exterior, we will utilize cement board backing like we did in this case
Impressive pipe work!!!
Where did all the spaghetti romex that everyone else loves go? Haha
Despite some inspectors still requesting PV power source stickers on micro AC systems for unknown reasons, people continue to include them
You’ve done a great job, but there are way too many stickers in the wrong places and some stickers are missing.
Well done!
AHJ COMMENT
Based on my reviews, it seems like the design professional are not very knowledgeable!
Had one on Tuesday who didn’t understand what a revision schedule on the title block or a delta region number was.
A narrative? And burble[his word]
Include a cloud/ballooned area with the delta insignia and number. Make sure to include revisions on submit pages
These days, a lot of solar companies are outsourcing design work to India.
Seems to be something straight out of Mexico
Honestly, no one really cares, it’s just plug and play stuff
Enphase has really simplified things. Impressive work.
It’s surprising how many PV systems lack proper labeling.
Hey , I have 240 volts AC running from the pole to my house, and I have no idea about the amperage capability… and I still don’t think a label is necessary. It seems like PV system labels have become excessive.
Hey , labeling is required for every PV system. What’s really getting out of hand is when unqualified individuals start labeling the equipment.
Reat job!
Do you have a Knockout set available? What’s the reason for going in the bottom of the panel?
The left side is reserved for SE in square D panels only
C t should run in a different conduit
You’ve got a 125 amp meter can paired with a 200 amp panel
So tidy ✌️
Even a system with micro inverters that operates on AC is still a solar power source. The stickers clearly indicate it’s not a “DC power source”
The issue with inspectors and installers obsessing over solar labels is that the people who actually need the labels don’t understand the information on them. It’s like having breaker lockouts on residential panels – useless. Just a way for inspectors and narrow-minded electricians to pat themselves on the back.
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Enphase- “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” 🙃🙃😂😂
Colby s Jackson after spending around 3 hours on the phone.
You speak the truth, man. In my 10 years of experience, I’ve only come across three level-headed individuals. 😂😂😂
The cables in the ct production are installed incorrectly; the ones from the panels are red positive and causing inaccurate readings. Otherwise, everything is fine.
Hey, double-check that there’s a NET meter in the socket before switching on the solar.
Let’s chat about the future of green transportation!
[https://www.tohopbattery.com/]
Work for the boy albal
That’s adorable. Can my daughter play with it once you’re finished?
#solar