Contractors for DIY Solar in the Bay Area

[enadroj]

The contractor that did my renovation was trying to convince me that I should go the DIY route and just buy the panels and have someone install them (versus going through a more established solar company). Curious to get thoughts on this - the prices look a lot better. It is the only way that I've gotten remotely close to the mythical $3.50/DC Watt (pre tax credit) in the SF bay area.

Has anyone debated this in the past and ended up doing it (or not doing it)? If so, I'd especially love a PM with contractors who have done the work for you (I'm not sure if my general contractor is the one I'd have do this - I think I'd like someone a bit more experienced with solar). I'm looking to get about a 5KW system. Alternatively, if you have recommendations for more established solar companies in the bay area that are closer to $3.50/Watt, I'd love to hear that too.

[solar pete]

The contractor that did my renovation was trying to convince me that I should go the a company route and just buy the panels and have someone install them (versus going through a more established solar company). Curious to get thoughts on this - the prices look a lot better. It is the only way that I've gotten remotely close to the mythical $3.50/DC Watt (pre tax credit) in the SF bay area.

Has anyone debated this in the past and ended up doing it (or not doing it)? If so, I'd especially love a PM with contractors who have done the work for you (I'm not sure if my general contractor is the one I'd have do this - I think I'd like someone a bit more experienced with solar). I'm looking to get about a 5KW system. Alternatively, if you have recommendations for more established solar companies in the bay area that are closer to $3.50/Watt, I'd love to hear that too.

Hi again, no links for newbies please, This has been gone over many times, search for some threads and have a read, perhaps our site sponsors can be of some help to you www.solarreviews.com and or www.solar-estimate.org

[enadroj]

Oops. The company was somewhat incidental to my question... apologies... removed. I was more asking for impressions on DIY. E.g. for people who have gone the DIY route, do they have more issues? worry about warranties? and in general, have more challenges? Or, are the risks overblown?

[solar pete]

Oops. The company was somewhat incidental to my question... apologies... removed. I was more asking for impressions on DIY. E.g. for people who have gone the DIY route, do they have more issues? worry about warranties? and in general, have more challenges? Or, are the risks overblown?

There have been a few people here do good DIY systems but they all seemed to have some type of experience working with or around the electrical or engineering fields. So unless you have some relevant expertise I would advise DIY solar is very dangerous, so think about it a lot before you make any decisions, cheers

[skipro3]

Check craigslist for independent solar installers available for hire to install your DIY system.

The 'hard part' is the paper work; permit from the county and PTO from the utility. Not really hard, just takes experience of knowing the ropes so you don't have to waste time on that learning curve.

You should be able to save about a third of the cost of a turn-key system from a solar company. The thing you give up is the 25 year warranty, but then, an independent contractor should warranty his labor for a year and the materials come with their own factory warranty anyway. If something is going to break, it will break early on.

[enadroj]

Check craigslist for independent solar installers available for hire to install your DIY system.

The 'hard part' is the paper work; permit from the county and PTO from the utility. Not really hard, just takes experience of knowing the ropes so you don't have to waste time on that learning curve.

You should be able to save about a third of the cost of a turn-key system from a solar company. The thing you give up is the 25 year warranty, but then, an independent contractor should warranty his labor for a year and the materials come with their own factory warranty anyway. If something is going to break, it will break early on.

Thanks skipro3... Very helpful. The contractor that did my renovation was definitely able to navigate the city/permitting, I just wasn't sure if all contractors were created equal with respect to managing a solar job. I know the Electrician he subs out too also does Solar installs for Petersen Dean on the side, but not sure if that means that much. I trust my contractor a lot (1+ year project to expand square footage of the house by 50% / managed well with very few bumps), so maybe that trumps picking another general contractor who I know less well.

[skipro3]

A solar install is not that complicated. Most solar jobs are started and finished in the same day. Your 5 kWh system should not take more than 2 days to do the construction. The installers are not rocket scientist. Usually a couple of high school educated 20-something's with limited English skills. Mine were a couple Russians. A roofing contractor would easily be able to install the flashing and rails. An electrician contractor could do the rest. A layman home owner will take perhaps twice as long. The parts are not hard to assemble. Manufacturers have this down to a simple plug-n-play other than a bit of conduit bending. Most wholesale material sellers will sell you a part kit for your install and include the drawings for your permit and PTO paperwork as well. Some will rent you tools to make the connectors up, but with a bit of planning, you should be able to have the cables custom cut and terminated by the parts seller.

After observing my installation, I sure wish I had installed my system. The hard part is the physical placing of the panels and takes a couple guys to put them from the ground onto the roof safely. (This assumes a comp-shingle roof on a single story house)

Find out what a kit includes then look on-line for the installation manuals from their websites. You should do this no matter who installs your system. That way you know if they are doing it right or not.

[solar_newbie]

A solar install is not that complicated. Most solar jobs are started and finished in the same day. Your 5 kWh system should not take more than 2 days to do the construction. The installers are not rocket scientist. Usually a couple of high school educated 20-something's with limited English skills. Mine were a couple Russians. A roofing contractor would easily be able to install the flashing and rails. An electrician contractor could do the rest. A layman home owner will take perhaps twice as long. The parts are not hard to assemble. Manufacturers have this down to a simple plug-n-play other than a bit of conduit bending. Most wholesale material sellers will sell you a part kit for your install and include the drawings for your permit and PTO paperwork as well. Some will rent you tools to make the connectors up, but with a bit of planning, you should be able to have the cables custom cut and terminated by the parts seller.

After observing my installation, I sure wish I had installed my system. The hard part is the physical placing of the panels and takes a couple guys to put them from the ground onto the roof safely. (This assumes a comp-shingle roof on a single story house)

Find out what a kit includes then look on-line for the installation manuals from their websites. You should do this no matter who installs your system. That way you know if they are doing it right or not.

I would say work on the roof is hard I can do manything, from fixing the dryer, washer to doing all electric work in and outside the house. But go up the roof and work, small mistake can cost a leg or live ... I would say to leave it for roofer.
To carry 40 lb to a roof you need helper. The key is insurance what if the guy you hire falls, he sues you . You might lose your own home. That is the main reason I do not DIY (my wife told me do not try to save some small thing and lose some big things later)
For installer company, they have worker comp and insurance (make sure there is not sub-contract ). You are covered.

Make sure they put their name in the permit (aka you will never sign any permit application) the city will check for you . If they ask you to sign homeowner permit for solar or Electric, they do not have either one of the permit.

[skipro3]

Your comfort level with doing the work yourself is a big concern of course. My wife made a big enough stink about me getting up there to do it, I hired it out. Probably saved my life too. Ha! I'm not getting any younger. Perhaps 20 years ago, no problem.

I watched these two guys darn near toss the panels up from halfway up the ladder to the guy standing on the roof. Obviously their experience was in play, which is why they can knock an install out in a day or two tops but would take a homeowner twice as long.

I do not advocate hiring someone who is unlicensed and under insured. Especially on a job that requires a permit. It stands to reason that who ever you hire is screened, be sure he's qualified and properly licensed and insured.

[enadroj]

I definitely want to understand what's happening but I doubt I would have time or ability to do the install - especially on the roof. If it were a free-standing, off grid system it seems more approachable. The combination of the house / roof and the PG&E tied system gives me more pause. Good tips about the permits and the insurance. Thanks!

[skipro3]

Good luck with going forward with your solar decisions.
Cheers!

[solar_newbie]

Your comfort level with doing the work yourself is a big concern of course. My wife made a big enough stink about me getting up there to do it, I hired it out. Probably saved my life too. Ha! I'm not getting any younger. Perhaps 20 years ago, no problem.

I watched these two guys darn near toss the panels up from halfway up the ladder to the guy standing on the roof. Obviously their experience was in play, which is why they can knock an install out in a day or two tops but would take a homeowner twice as long.

I do not advocate hiring someone who is unlicensed and under insured. Especially on a job that requires a permit. It stands to reason that who ever you hire is screened, be sure he's qualified and properly licensed and insured.

Lol if I am 20 years younger, I will call my friends and go up to do the installation as I do not have anything to lose by that time. Now with wife, kids, home... Too much liability