Want to DIY a 6000w system - Where to start? Parts list?

[SunEagle]

It first sounded like someone that was truely unaware about the costs for an installed system and wanted help to get the right stuff to build it and keep the price way down.

He asked for help but after numerous attempts to stear him in the right direction his story started to fall apart.

He was on nothing more than a fishing expedition hoping for everyone else to provide the keys to his cheap system.

Heck if I could get a 6kw system installed for around $10k I would be first in line.

As it is I just initiated a contractor to install a new roof which is costing me more than the $10k. Priorities.

[Naptown]

His downfall was claiming that half were SP 345's
That is 10k + dealer cost on modules alone not including racking inverter etc etc

[Sunking]

Hey Sunking, I was proud of you for being civil to this guy. LOL

I for one wish we had not chased him off. I would have liked an opportunity to help him. He seriously reminds me of, well, me! A serious DIY'er.

It was so obvious he was a fraud I did not bother with it. As Rich points out a beginner or DIY trying to tell pros they know what they are doing and we are just trying to rip them off is plain silly. Try that argument next time you hop on a commercial airline flight.

[Naptown]

I saw a site the other day that bashed this place saying it was run by a solar sales company which is partially true.
However this site was aiming at the DIY croud and sponsored by Sunelec.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Said there was no unbiased info here.
My favorite post was from Rolland Elliot who some may remember as a guy who insisted that he could make and install his own panels and was trying to sell Sylguard on here. He was run off as I remember.
Google solar panel talk and it comes up on the first page
I did somewhat blast them and Rolland I wonder if my post is still there

Just checked and my post was deleted
So much for equal time

[russ]

I saw a site the other day that bashed this place saying it was run by a solar sales company which is partially true.
However this site was aiming at the DIY croud and sponsored by Sunelec.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Said there was no unbiased info here.
My favorite post was from Rolland Elliot who some may remember as a guy who insisted that he could make and install his own panels and was trying to sell Sylguard on here. He was run off as I remember.
Google solar panel talk and it comes up on the first page
I did somewhat blast them and Rolland I wonder if my post is still there

Just checked and my post was deleted
So much for equal time

Rolland was also highlighted in some other scams as I remember - He went from building his own panels to buying and erecting to trying to sell slyguard on the site - Any site that welcomes him isn't worth visiting.

Jeff was just blasting BS hoping people would believe him - he might fir in at the other site Naptown mentioned.

[silversaver]

Nothing wrong with a diyer if you have the skills and knowledge to do the task and can do it legally.
I have a problem with someone coming on and bashing the pros thinking they are making a killing on their job. Not happening at least around here by the reputable guys.
I had one tonight that had a quote of 25K for a 2.8 KW System.
Had not heard of the guy who was from PA
I priced out a system with discontinued panels at a bargain price of 26K for 9.8 KW.
So yes there are shysters out there.

Just wondering how you will service your job on discontinued panels system. If you cannot find an exact panel for replacement which has been discontinued, what would you do? What would you suggest your customer who uses discontinued panels system?

thx

[UCF]

9.9k

Here is what it costs in material to install a 9900 Watt roof top system , this is a complete breakdown minus a wire run from inverter to panels and emt 1" conduit and connectors to make the strings to sola deck. Those parts are readily available at lowes or home depot so I'm not listing it.

System installed using Unirac, a single Sunny Boy 10000TL inverter and 33 Canadian Solar CS6P-300 Modules all attached to the roof with 72 attachment points ( wind load up to 130mph) by Snapnrack . All the parts are available on the internet and I will be happy to provide any documentation to show for it and prices paid if questioned .


310240C
Rail SM RAIL 240" CLR 12
303001C
Splice SM SPLICE BAR SERRATED CLR 6
302009C
End Clamp SM ENDCLAMP K, W/HDW, CLR 12
302101C
Mid Clamp SM MID CLAMP,ABCDK,HDW,CLR 60
308001S
UGC Clip SM GROUND CLIP #1, UGC-1 SS 36
008002S
Grounding Lug GROUND WEEBLUG #1 18

1. Total cost for Unirarc all the above parts - $1554.00
2. Soladec - $71
3. 6 midget fuse holders (3x11 strings) one for positive and one for neutral + 6x15 amp fuses - $41
4. 1 Sunny Boy 10000TL - $3020
5. 33 Canadian Solar CS6P 300 modules at .76C/Watt + .05 for shipping - $8019
6. 72 Snapnrack flashed L root kits $9x72 plus shipping - 710
7. 72 3/8 stainless x 4 SS Lag bolts - $72

Grand total $13487 . I'm going to be generous and add $500 for the EMT , wire, caulking, connectors and other little things . All the parts up to this point , including the modules are 14k even which brings us to $1.41/Watt using good modules ,Sunny Boy inverter, good racking , all attachment points flashed . This of course doesn't include any permit fees which vary by location . But here it only cost me $200. I do not think the installation should cost 30k as some solar contractors charge when they try to push their outrageous $4-5/watt prices, after all they must be paying the same prices I paid for all the stuff listed . My installation cost was fraction of that and very reasonable.

[silversaver]

Here is what it costs in material to install a 9900 Watt roof top system , this is a complete breakdown minus a wire run from inverter to panels and emt 1" conduit and connectors to make the strings to sola deck. Those parts are readily available at lowes or home depot so I'm not listing it.

System installed using Unirac, a single Sunny Boy 10000TL inverter and 33 Canadian Solar CS6P-300 Modules all attached to the roof with 72 attachment points ( wind load up to 130mph) by Snapnrack . All the parts are available on the internet and I will be happy to provide any documentation to show for it and prices paid if questioned .


310240C
Rail SM RAIL 240" CLR 12
303001C
Splice SM SPLICE BAR SERRATED CLR 6
302009C
End Clamp SM ENDCLAMP K, W/HDW, CLR 12
302101C
Mid Clamp SM MID CLAMP,ABCDK,HDW,CLR 60
308001S
UGC Clip SM GROUND CLIP #1, UGC-1 SS 36
008002S
Grounding Lug GROUND WEEBLUG #1 18

1. Total cost for Unirarc all the above parts - $1554.00
2. Soladec - $71
3. 6 midget fuse holders (3x11 strings) one for positive and one for neutral + 6x15 amp fuses - $41
4. 1 Sunny Boy 10000TL - $3020
5. 33 Canadian Solar CS6P 300 modules at .76C/Watt + .05 for shipping - $8019
6. 72 Snapnrack flashed L root kits $9x72 plus shipping - 710
7. 72 3/8 stainless x 4 SS Lag bolts - $72

Grand total $13487 . I'm going to be generous and add $500 for the EMT , wire, caulking, connectors and other little things . All the parts up to this point , including the modules are 14k even which brings us to $1.41/Watt using good modules ,Sunny Boy inverter, good racking , all attachment points flashed . This of course doesn't include any permit fees which vary by location . But here it only cost me $200. I do not think the installation should cost 30k as some solar contractors charge when they try to push their outrageous $4-5/watt prices, after all they must be paying the same prices I paid for all the stuff listed . My installation cost was fraction of that and very reasonable.

Lowes or Home Depot? I see, you are talking about the wiring accessories...

[UCF]

Either one , whatever you like , both have very similar pricing .

[inetdog]

Google solar panel talk and it comes up on the first page

So does

Buy Solar Panel Talk from Reliable China Solar Panel Talk suppliers.Find Quality Solar Panel Talk at Electrical Equipment & Supplies,Consumer Electronics, ...

The post at sunelec does still show up there too. But the number one entry is, of course solarpaneltalk.com itself.

However, if you Google Solar Panel Information, we are not on the first page.

[SunEagle]

Here is what it costs in material to install a 9900 Watt roof top system , this is a complete breakdown minus a wire run from inverter to panels and emt 1" conduit and connectors to make the strings to sola deck. Those parts are readily available at lowes or home depot so I'm not listing it.

System installed using Unirac, a single Sunny Boy 10000TL inverter and 33 Canadian Solar CS6P-300 Modules all attached to the roof with 72 attachment points ( wind load up to 130mph) by Snapnrack . All the parts are available on the internet and I will be happy to provide any documentation to show for it and prices paid if questioned .



3. 6 midget fuse holders (3x11 strings) one for positive and one for neutral + 6x15 amp fuses - $41


Grand total $13487 . I'm going to be generous and add $500 for the EMT , wire, caulking, connectors and other little things . All the parts up to this point , including the modules are 14k even which brings us to $1.41/Watt using good modules ,Sunny Boy inverter, good racking , all attachment points flashed . This of course doesn't include any permit fees which vary by location . But here it only cost me $200. I do not think the installation should cost 30k as some solar contractors charge when they try to push their outrageous $4-5/watt prices, after all they must be paying the same prices I paid for all the stuff listed . My installation cost was fraction of that and very reasonable.

Impressive system. I am not sure about the fuse holders and fuses for that price but the rest seems in line.

How long did you take to compile your parts list and what was the availability of the 33 Canadian panels?

[Naptown]

Just wondering how you will service your job on discontinued panels system. If you cannot find an exact panel for replacement which has been discontinued, what would you do? What would you suggest your customer who uses discontinued panels system?

thx

He also gets 2 spares for just in case
And these panels are extremely generic meaning finding one with the same specs is not difficult if it becomes necessary.

[knsolar]

$1.41/W before rebates? Very impressive..

I am a very enthusiastic DIYer, looking for opportunity to learn to do mine.. Curious, any reason why you went with central inverter, instead of micro inverters? I would like to replicate your design.. appreciate if you can help me out...

Here is what it costs in material to install a 9900 Watt roof top system , this is a complete breakdown minus a wire run from inverter to panels and emt 1" conduit and connectors to make the strings to sola deck. Those parts are readily available at lowes or home depot so I'm not listing it.

System installed using Unirac, a single Sunny Boy 10000TL inverter and 33 Canadian Solar CS6P-300 Modules all attached to the roof with 72 attachment points ( wind load up to 130mph) by Snapnrack . All the parts are available on the internet and I will be happy to provide any documentation to show for it and prices paid if questioned .


310240C
Rail SM RAIL 240" CLR 12
303001C
Splice SM SPLICE BAR SERRATED CLR 6
302009C
End Clamp SM ENDCLAMP K, W/HDW, CLR 12
302101C
Mid Clamp SM MID CLAMP,ABCDK,HDW,CLR 60
308001S
UGC Clip SM GROUND CLIP #1, UGC-1 SS 36
008002S
Grounding Lug GROUND WEEBLUG #1 18

1. Total cost for Unirarc all the above parts - $1554.00
2. Soladec - $71
3. 6 midget fuse holders (3x11 strings) one for positive and one for neutral + 6x15 amp fuses - $41
4. 1 Sunny Boy 10000TL - $3020
5. 33 Canadian Solar CS6P 300 modules at .76C/Watt + .05 for shipping - $8019
6. 72 Snapnrack flashed L root kits $9x72 plus shipping - 710
7. 72 3/8 stainless x 4 SS Lag bolts - $72

Grand total $13487 . I'm going to be generous and add $500 for the EMT , wire, caulking, connectors and other little things . All the parts up to this point , including the modules are 14k even which brings us to $1.41/Watt using good modules ,Sunny Boy inverter, good racking , all attachment points flashed . This of course doesn't include any permit fees which vary by location . But here it only cost me $200. I do not think the installation should cost 30k as some solar contractors charge when they try to push their outrageous $4-5/watt prices, after all they must be paying the same prices I paid for all the stuff listed . My installation cost was fraction of that and very reasonable.

[knsolar]

HI t5800512:
I am also interested in installing a rooftop system by myself.. Appreciate any help you can provide.. Thank you. I have estimated that I would need a 5K system to meet my requirement.

Expat, you still there? Or have you given up on this forum. If you still want help designing and installing your PV system, there are folks here that will assist you. I for one, and I suspect the forum members that help me will also join in. I installed my own system earlier this year and got a lot of help from the members on this forum. So far, I'm very happy with my results. I often wonder why there are not more DIYers. Mostly what I see are people wanting help comparing their quotes.

[Naptown]

Here is what it costs in material to install a 9900 Watt roof top system , this is a complete breakdown minus a wire run from inverter to panels and emt 1" conduit and connectors to make the strings to sola deck. Those parts are readily available at lowes or home depot so I'm not listing it.

System installed using Unirac, a single Sunny Boy 10000TL inverter and 33 Canadian Solar CS6P-300 Modules all attached to the roof with 72 attachment points ( wind load up to 130mph) by Snapnrack . All the parts are available on the internet and I will be happy to provide any documentation to show for it and prices paid if questioned .


310240C
Rail SM RAIL 240" CLR 12
303001C
Splice SM SPLICE BAR SERRATED CLR 6
302009C
End Clamp SM ENDCLAMP K, W/HDW, CLR 12
302101C
Mid Clamp SM MID CLAMP,ABCDK,HDW,CLR 60
308001S
UGC Clip SM GROUND CLIP #1, UGC-1 SS 36
008002S
Grounding Lug GROUND WEEBLUG #1 18

1. Total cost for Unirarc all the above parts - $1554.00
2. Soladec - $71
3. 6 midget fuse holders (3x11 strings) one for positive and one for neutral + 6x15 amp fuses - $41
4. 1 Sunny Boy 10000TL - $3020
5. 33 Canadian Solar CS6P 300 modules at .76C/Watt + .05 for shipping - $8019
6. 72 Snapnrack flashed L root kits $9x72 plus shipping - 710
7. 72 3/8 stainless x 4 SS Lag bolts - $72

Grand total $13487 . I'm going to be generous and add $500 for the EMT , wire, caulking, connectors and other little things . All the parts up to this point , including the modules are 14k even which brings us to $1.41/Watt using good modules ,Sunny Boy inverter, good racking , all attachment points flashed . This of course doesn't include any permit fees which vary by location . But here it only cost me $200. I do not think the installation should cost 30k as some solar contractors charge when they try to push their outrageous $4-5/watt prices, after all they must be paying the same prices I paid for all the stuff listed . My installation cost was fraction of that and very reasonable.

That's about right for cost of equipment.
And a system of that size and specs here would be in the $3.00-3.50 range.