Follow this formula for an easy residential solar installation

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Adding solar to your house is not the easiest home improvement project. You cannot simply nail solar modules to your roof and wait for the sun to power up your full-size, stainless steel, dual-tap kegerator. You need an inverter to change the sun’s energy (DC) into your kegerator’s energy (AC). If you want to run your kegerator during power outages (which of course you would), you need batteries and additional power control components. Oh, and you need to know how to wire the whole system on par with electricity codes and energy regulations.

It is a lot of variables to consider and this can deter homeowners. Solar systems are not do-it-yourself projects – Pinterest has thousands more pins about Mod Podge-ing your iPhone than it does about installing residential solar systems. Renewable power systems require careful considerations, but professional solar installers will do this for you! It is easy to install solar when you hire a professional.

The number of available solar professionals is rising because the number of solar installations grew 76% in 2012. More installers are entering the solar industry to earn a part of the growing business. They often learn through specialized training organizations like NABCEP – the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Schneider Electric has worked with NABCEP for years and trained numerous installers on its solar inverters. Early in March, we sponsored NABCEP’s 2nd Annual Continuing Education Conference in Sacramento, CA and had the pleasure of assisting installers with their specific system installation questions.

So step 2 of this formula is to hire a professional solar installer using reliable Schneider Electric solar power products. Step 1 is to feel passionate about renewable power. You need to fully appreciate the financial, ecological, and political benefits of solar energy. This is step 1 because it will drive your entire project. Just ask Scott Phillips, the host of “The American Woodshop,” who recently filmed his solar system installation (it uses a Conext TX inverter!). Scott’s passion for using solar power coupled with his expert installation team resulted in a successful project.

Feel the passion + Enlist an expert => Best solar project ever.

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Conversation

  • Whoops! The last link to watch the PBS episode is actually: https://video.wbgu.org/video/2350555877

  • Dear Sir,
    I am Yasir working in a Textile company as a Electronic Engineer in Pakistan and we are using your power panels in our industry, so now we want to install solar panels in our industry, can you send us the detail of these systems and these specification, so we talk ahead. I am patiently waiting of your reply.

    Warmest Regard
    Yasir

  • Hi Yasir – Schneider Electric does not manufacture the panels/modules, but we do provide the other parts in a solar system. Please visit our website at http://www.schneider-electric.com/solar to check out the selection and find specifications.

  • Good read here. I am doing research on building a solar system for my house. I found some great info on the internet but it’s not easy to implement…Costs are quite high as well but I know as soon as the system is in place it will bring many benefits for the environment and my home. Hiring an expert would definitely cut down the effort but I cannot afford it right now.

  • Thanks, Ovidiu! You’re right it is not an easy DIY project. An expert can add cost, but he can also save you the time and any costs associated with installing a system incorrectly. Look into leasing a system as well – this will remove all the burden of installation, costs, and maintenance. Best of luck in accomplishing your goal!

  • A good presentation. I’d be surprised if he didn’t offset ALL his power, at least during the summer months. The average American home only uses about 11kWh per day, and that system of 14 panels, should harvest at least that much, even on a cloudy day. NASA has a website that will show you average insolation (note the spelling) for may cities in the USA. From that information you can accurately predict your typical energy harvest for any given sized array for any month of the year.

  • Stephanie

    8 years ago

    I did not know NASA had a site! I found it has a LOT of information, but user interface is a little clunky. NREL also has a site to calculate solar potential. But perhaps the most preeminent site is Google’s “Project Sunroof.” Sunroof gives homeowners detailed information about how much solar power their roof can generate and how much money they could save on electricity costs by adding solar panels. Unfortunately not all addresses are covered yet (mine is not). Visit google.com/get/sunroof.

  • Dear Sir,

    We are one of the leading Solar Integrator in India.

    One of our client in Trichur Dt., Kerala, purchase the Conext XW+ from Dubai and installed the same 5KVA with 48 V 100AH Battery backup.

    It have 250W Solar panels 24V 60Cells 20 Nos.
    10 panels pair gives the 48VDC

    It was installed by the local Solar Technicians.

    It is giving maximum 1,500W even in sunny days.

    Unfortunately the installation manual is misplaced.

    It will be highly appreciated, if you can provide the Installation diagram and operation manul in soft copy or hard copy.

    Thanking you

    Jose THOMAS
    +91 9447923438
    abcmjt@gmail.com
    Agro Biotech International Exports Private Limited.
    NH 47, Near India Oil Petrol Pump, Perambra P.O.,
    Trichur Dt., Kerala State, India 680689

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