Just signed a 4.6kW systems...

[sjsun]

Thank you outie and thejq for your valuable inputs and feedbacks. I pulled a trigger for this system size at 4.6kW, 15 LG305 panels, 1 SE with the optimizer yesterday. I went with a 12 yrs loan term for now at 2.99%. Also submitted to the HOA for the approval. I will be the first resident to go green in the community and hoping that the HOA will get the paper rolling without any issue nor delay.

$3.53/W, wow! Can you please PM me the installer? Best quotes I have gotten so far are $4.2/W.

[skipro3]

Is there any concern or maybe possible venting issue down the road if they both tie for the lower two venting pipes to my roof ridge line?

Not that I know of. Most plumbers run a vent from each trap; either a toilet, a sink or a shower/tub. It's easy for them to make a bee-line to the roof, then let the roofer deal with how to mount the vent flashing. It's probably a wash on the cost; the extra roof flashing for a vent vs the extra PVC and elbows to combine them.

When I built my home, I routed one vent for each bathroom, the laundry room (has the washer and a sink) and the kitchen shared a vent; 3 vents on the roof. I have 8 sinks, tubs, showers, laundry traps that could have individually been vented. I also routed them all to the back side of the house so they are not visible from the street.

If you go this route, use 45 degree joints, not 90 degree. You need to keep a pitch to them so water from rain goes down to the trap under the sink or what-ever is being vented. Also, I'd just do it and NOT put it on the plans being submitted for the permit. As far as an inspector is concerned; the vents are and always have been what they are.

[newe70]

I'd tie at least those two into one and locate nearer the ridge line. Actually, I'd tie all three in the photo together, to the higher one.

Is there any concern or maybe possible venting issue down the road if they both tie for the lower two venting pipes to my roof ridge line?

[newe70]

Congrats I am also waiting for the installation .....

You are possibly a few steps ahead of me . I'm still waiting for the final engineering plan from my installer for reviewing and sign off b4 going into the permitting process. Hoping to hear from my installer this week.

[skipro3]

I'd tie at least those two into one and locate nearer the ridge line. Actually, I'd tie all three in the photo together, to the higher one.

[solar_newbie]

Woohoo...just got an email from my HOA tonight. It is approved!!!

Congrats I am also waiting for the installation .....

[newe70]

Would you advice me to have my installer work around these two venting pipes on my roof or add on a 90 degree elbow adapter and reposition these venting pipes to a another location. Is there any concern I should be worry about down the road if I reposition these venting pipes?

image.jpg

[newe70]

Woohoo...just got an email from my HOA tonight. It is approved!!!

[newe70]

Here is a current proposed layout.

[newe70]

Here is the panel array layout.

Edit: sorry wrong layout.

[newe70]

Doubtful that it's really a safety concern.
IF the inverter actually reaches a temperature where it's too hot, there should be electronics within it to detect that it's too hot and shut itself off.
HOWEVER it's unlikely that in the shade inside a garage it'll actually get too hot.
Maybe if you have a black roof and live in Death Valley.

For example, Solaredge says in their manual that it operates up to 60C (140F)
Even in a garage attic it's probably not hitting 140F, much less down at regular levels.
On really hot days you're probably hitting 120F - pretty unbearable for humans, but still within the opearting range for many inverters.

Now - would it be better if you had it on a north facing wall where it's 20F cooler than your garage? I think so (can't see it being worse- seems likely that the electronics would last longer)

But is there a safety concern? IMO No.

Thank you much for the info.

I have an onsite evaluation this afternoon for the panel arrays placement on my roof and the shading test. I was told the shading report and site plan could come in about 7-10 days for me to sign off b4 permitting process. One less steps to the finish line.

[foo1bar]

definitely the temperature will be hotter during summer time without a doubt. With the poor air circulation and the garage is close most of the day can possibly cause an overheated issue. This is also another safety concern factor worth to think again.

Doubtful that it's really a safety concern.
IF the inverter actually reaches a temperature where it's too hot, there should be electronics within it to detect that it's too hot and shut itself off.
HOWEVER it's unlikely that in the shade inside a garage it'll actually get too hot.
Maybe if you have a black roof and live in Death Valley.

For example, Solaredge says in their manual that it operates up to 60C (140F)
Even in a garage attic it's probably not hitting 140F, much less down at regular levels.
On really hot days you're probably hitting 120F - pretty unbearable for humans, but still within the opearting range for many inverters.

Now - would it be better if you had it on a north facing wall where it's 20F cooler than your garage? I think so (can't see it being worse- seems likely that the electronics would last longer)

But is there a safety concern? IMO No.

[newe70]

Thank you guys for your inputs!

The weather has been hot here in Signal Hill this week. I have two cars also park inside the garage after coming home from work. The temperature inside is like an oven. If I'm going to mount an inverter inside my garage, definitely the temperature will be hotter during summer time without a doubt. With the poor air circulation and the garage is close most of the day can possibly cause an overheated issue. This is also another safety concern factor worth to think again.

[paul65k]

I'm the guy on my HOA ARCH. comm. that reviews and recommends home improvements to the Board, including all solar improvements in particular. Having been on HOA Boards before, and while respecting your opinion, my experience has been somewhat different. Boards are there for a reason. Usually HOA unprepared HOA members see a Board as an impediment to progress until one of their neighbors does something that they don't like and the Board needs to enforce a part of the CC & R's. Some board members are assholes. I've seen my share. They're everywhere. They need to be controlled and good boards do this. Like the guy who just resigned. Question: How many folks do you think would like to have a 12 kW ground mounted array in their neighbor's front yard ? A bit extreme, but possible. Note some photos of roof mounted arrays with high tilt angles as they have appeared on this forum. Think they are aesthetically pleasing ? Who is responsible for controlling such things ? YUP - The HOA Board. Watch how quickly a Board gets sued for malfeasance if crap like that is allowed. Contrary to what you may think, most folks on HOA Boards are not there to say no. Think about it : If nothing else, that only makes more work for them. Human nature is basically lazy. No one wants unnecessary work and most (but by no means all) folks would rather get along, or at least avoid unnecessary conflict. If things are done that are contrary to the governing documents, the Boards have a fiduciary responsibility to enforce the CC & R's and address the situation for the good of the entire membership. This is more non rocket science. Usually, most problems arise because folks are either ignorant of the governing CC & R's or ignore them. A quick check with the Board or the HOA office will probably give all the information necessary. Unfortunately, that usually involves some work on the part of the homeowner. Being proactive avoids a lot of hassles. If someone enquires in advance rather than waits until a crisis is generated, they usually find Boards can actually be a project facilitator. Do as you wish, but if you approach a Board with an attitude, you'll probably get one back. In CA anyway, that may not be the best approach. Like it or not, if it comes to a battle, Boards have more weapons in the fight and more ammo. Knowledge is power. Be or get prepared. Read and know the governing documents before you start a project. COMMUNICATE ! It'll avoid a lot of problems. If you treat people with respect and fairness, you usually get the same in return. Like it or not, if you are in an HOA, you sign on to a set of governing documents when you buy your home. By doing so, you accept responsibility to know what the rules are and abide by them. FWIW: I'm of the opinion that HOA's have become an anachronism. They work when people care about the community they live in and are willing to accept a certain amount of reasonably well defined restriction(s) on their absolute freedom to do what they want for reasons they consider desirable and reasonable. Those who do not see it that way are free to not live in such communities. Additionally, those living in such communities are free to work for change within the HOA - get on Boards, get involved to change CC & R's and make it a place more to one's liking. The lack of involvement prevalent today is but another reason why the HOA concept is something who's time has probably come and gone. In the meantime, no one has their feet chained to the ground in an HOA, and folks are not being forced to live in them.

I just gotta respond here because I think we are in Violent agreement I didn't get from SolarFamilyGuy's post that his submission was at all adversarial but simply laying out what his plan was, what it would likely look like and what the statutes are that are in place from a regulatory standpoint that the HOA may (or may not) be aware of.

My experience is that most HOA's and especially "Professional" property managers (and I use this term loosely) rarely even know what the statutory regulations are never mind that many are not even that up to speed on what the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (C,C&R's) of a particular property actually iare so helping by stating statute is not at all unhelpful.

I too have sat on may HOA boards, I've actually been the president of 3 separate HOA's over the past 30 years, one where I presided over a $8M Builder deficiency lawsuit over the course of a 6 year period (2 actually) where we ultimately prevailed.....and will never forget being blasted by one or 2 homeowners after we settled after spending I don't know how many hours in Depositions, Settlement Conferences, etc proving that no good deed goes unpunished ... So in the whole scheme of things little issues like Architectural Committee Hearings are peanuts honestly.

In closing I was simply stating my admiration for the thoughtful approach based on the post I read......I don't know all of the specifics of course but if it was me coming to the HOA that I was presiding over and I had the "Asshole" that you mention sitting next to me at the table I always appreciated having a reference to any laws or statute that would keep us out of court while a the same time meeting ne overall needs of the community and the respective homeowners.My .02

[J.P.M.]

This is one of the most thoughtful approaches I have heard of with regard to an HOA or any business transaction in general....Kudos!!The psychology of this is that you want to get in front of their natural tendency to NOT want anything new (this is basic human nature) and also to not give them a chance to say no so then you are fighting an uphill battle and trying to get a group of folks (HOA) to change their mind on a previously taken stand....again basic human nature. By laying out all the objections and a case for the solution it makes their unwillingness to work with you seem well.......unreasonable....Well done!!

BTW, If I were a college professor (which I'm not) I would use this as a case study in either a Business negotiation or psychology class

I'm the guy on my HOA ARCH. comm. that reviews and recommends home improvements to the Board, including all solar improvements in particular. Having been on HOA Boards before, and while respecting your opinion, my experience has been somewhat different. Boards are there for a reason. Usually HOA unprepared HOA members see a Board as an impediment to progress until one of their neighbors does something that they don't like and the Board needs to enforce a part of the CC & R's. Some board members are assholes. I've seen my share. They're everywhere. They need to be controlled and good boards do this. Like the guy who just resigned.

Question: How many folks do you think would like to have a 12 kW ground mounted array in their neighbor's front yard ? A bit extreme, but possible. Note some photos of roof mounted arrays with high tilt angles as they have appeared on this forum. Think they are aesthetically pleasing ? Who is responsible for controlling such things ? YUP - The HOA Board. Watch how quickly a Board gets sued for malfeasance if crap like that is allowed.

Contrary to what you may think, most folks on HOA Boards are not there to say no. Think about it : If nothing else, that only makes more work for them. Human nature is basically lazy. No one wants unnecessary work and most (but by no means all) folks would rather get along, or at least avoid unnecessary conflict. If things are done that are contrary to the governing documents, the Boards have a fiduciary responsibility to enforce the CC & R's and address the situation for the good of the entire membership.

This is more non rocket science. Usually, most problems arise because folks are either ignorant of the governing CC & R's or ignore them. A quick check with the Board or the HOA office will probably give all the information necessary. Unfortunately, that usually involves some work on the part of the homeowner. Being proactive avoids a lot of hassles. If someone enquires in advance rather than waits until a crisis is generated, they usually find Boards can actually be a project facilitator.

Do as you wish, but if you approach a Board with an attitude, you'll probably get one back. In CA anyway, that may not be the best approach. Like it or not, if it comes to a battle, Boards have more weapons in the fight and more ammo.

Knowledge is power. Be or get prepared. Read and know the governing documents before you start a project. COMMUNICATE ! It'll avoid a lot of problems. If you treat people with respect and fairness, you usually get the same in return.

Like it or not, if you are in an HOA, you sign on to a set of governing documents when you buy your home. By doing so, you accept responsibility to know what the rules are and abide by them.

FWIW: I'm of the opinion that HOA's have become an anachronism. They work when people care about the community they live in and are willing to accept a certain amount of reasonably well defined restriction(s) on their absolute freedom to do what they want for reasons they consider desirable and reasonable. Those who do not see it that way are free to not live in such communities. Additionally, those living in such communities are free to work for change within the HOA - get on Boards, get involved to change CC & R's and make it a place more to one's liking. The lack of involvement prevalent today is but another reason why the HOA concept is something who's time has probably come and gone. In the meantime, no one has their feet chained to the ground in an HOA, and folks are not being forced to live in them.