Grid-Tied
I have lots of DIY experience. I helped on a few solar installs but was excited to do my own. If you want it done right, do it yourself!
Meet Ryan Wolosyn, who installed his own Ground Mount System in Wisconsin!:
“I have lots of DIY experience. I helped on a few solar installs but was excited to do my own. If you want it done right, do it yourself!
The most difficult part was the NEC 120% rule. Since I wired my 10kW solar array to my shop with a 100amp panel, I line tapped with some sweet Ilsco Polaris lugs (PBTS 3’s) but had to d-rate the breaker feeding my 100amp sub panel in the house to supply the correct over current protection for my system.
So my shop panel is now being fed from a 60amp breaker instead of a 100amp. Since it is just a hobby shop, it’s ok, and it was the cheapest option.
I had five helpers: My 14-month-old boy, wife, in-laws, and me.
The installation process took one month from purchase, and we were producing power!
The panels arrived in two weeks, as promised. Meanwhile, we cemented a re-purposed post and framed a rustic but very strong platform for the panels.
The panels arrived and were mounted the next week. We trenched a 50ft trench down the hill and over to the shop. I spent a couple of days wiring, and the next week I had the utility company out doing their anti-islanding check.
It felt good to finish the installation, other than the next months having 20 cloudy days, but January was really sunny this year.”
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Nathan H.’s Solar Installation
- System Cost: ~$21,000 including installation
- Yearly System Output: 16,202 kWh per year
- Federal Tax Incentive: Qualifies for $6,200 U.S. Federal Tax Credit
- Utility Rates: 8.77 cents/kWh
Frank K.’s Solar Installation
Install of the Month – September 2017
- System size: 8.85 kW
- Yearly System Output: 6,479 kWh per year
- Federal Tax Incentive: Qualifies for $3,961 Federal tax credit
- Utility Rates: 13 cents/kWh