Now for the fun part, the frame is all done. The frame is pressure treated 4×4 post and beam style. The rafters are pressure treated 2 x 10 x 12 feet. Over all, it came out pretty nice. Next year I intend to replace the front deck with a covered porch, also post and beam style, so this should match the look of the house.
Front view of 4.1 KW PV system
Ground mounted 4.1 KW PV system
This system is 4.1 KW and should provide almost all of our electric needs once we replace the old refrigerator with an energy star unit.
Enphase M-210 inverter under Sanyo HIP205NHKA5
I used Unirack Sunframe rails to mount the PV modules. The modules are are Sanyo HIP 205NHK5 Modules and Enphase M-210 microverters. I like the concept of the Microverter, e.g. each panel has it’s own small inverter. This allows from some shade tolerance for the lower modules without loosing the entire array. Also, each panel is matched to it’s inverter at the best efficiency, increasing the overall array output. Seldom do you get to see the underside of a PV array as they are most often mounted on a roof.
Looks good! How’s it working this winter? PV is on our list, but a long ways down because of shading from a neighbor’s trees. I like the microinverter idea, too (I looked at a couple different systems at West Coast Green).
Amazing, Paul!
Gene, It is done, but not on line yet, waiting for the final electrical inspection to throw the big switch. That should happen next week some time, weather permitting.
Yes. Yes, when you consider it, it really is amazing, isn’t it.
Paul,
That’s really awesome! I am quite envious!! Mind sharing what something like this cost? I sure could use one of those in my backyard!!
Hey Todd, The solar equipment was around $18.5K wholesale, the lumber, concrete, etc for the frame was another 2K. I hired some help to install it, so total cost would be around 22k or so.
Of that, there are two tax incentives, federal = 30% and NYS = 25% capped at 5 K, so those two totaled $11.6K making my net cost around $10.4K or so. Electric is 15.8 cents a kWh and rising, so payback should be around the 8 year mark.
Looks great Paul, very professional job. Bottle up some of that electricity for me when you can.
I’ll see you around next year with your plug in electric car! =P
Paul,
It’s amazing to see how much more affordable they are getting ever day! Great job!
Paul,
Looking good. I have been watching the progress for the last few months. I bet you are thrilled to have finished it!!! Thanks for taking us along on your journey.
Paul,
So what’s next? A geothermal heating/cooling system? I have been gandering at them to replace my 15 year old heat pump that has suffered in this winter with all the snow and cold weather. Ok, it did not suffer but the family and I did. It looks like the cost (energy) savings from them things are remarkable. I would bet your solar system could almost provide all the power your would need to run it.
Additionally, the government is currently giving a 30% tax credit without an upper limit for installing one. I think you mentioned the same thing for installing this solar system. I have not found if Virgina offers a credit on geothermal but I thought I stumble across a credit for personal wind generators (oh I’m sure my neighbors would love that).
So have you looked into geothermal?
Fred
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner