Viktor
Well-known member
It appears that there are several members here over the course of the years that had researched and built their own or had ordered different solar systems. I would be thrilled to hear from them in regards to what would they have done differently nowadays.
Me personally - I am trying to figure out how to offset my carbon footprint and become as green as possible. My electric provider doesn't participate in any of the rebates programs so I am trying to built as big of a system as I can and make it financially viable.
So first - location - would like to stay away from the roof - was told in the past that I would have to remove my current concrete shingles, install asphalt ones and than put solar panels on top of them - seems irrational to me and would add additional cost to install. I do have south facing patio and was contemplating building some kind of a roof there. I had seen these - http://www.lumossolar.com/solar-products/awnings-and-carports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and decided to try and build similarly looking awning over my porch.
Second - size of the system. My yearly consumption is around 11 000 kwh, plus my newly added Leaf at around 4 000 kwh per year - used that calculator - http://sroeco.com/solar/calculate-solar-cost/what_size_solar_system_do_i_need/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - should build array ranked at around 11 kwh. Now I need to match available square footage with the above mentioned production. My understanding - 100 sq feet of the panel would generate 1 kwh of energy - and some of the newest panels would go up to almost 2 kwh per 100 sq feet - but would most likely be considerably more expensive. Have construction guys coming this week to make the measurements and figure out square footage of my patio roof - and than try to figure out which panels to choose from.
Me personally - I am trying to figure out how to offset my carbon footprint and become as green as possible. My electric provider doesn't participate in any of the rebates programs so I am trying to built as big of a system as I can and make it financially viable.
So first - location - would like to stay away from the roof - was told in the past that I would have to remove my current concrete shingles, install asphalt ones and than put solar panels on top of them - seems irrational to me and would add additional cost to install. I do have south facing patio and was contemplating building some kind of a roof there. I had seen these - http://www.lumossolar.com/solar-products/awnings-and-carports/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and decided to try and build similarly looking awning over my porch.
Second - size of the system. My yearly consumption is around 11 000 kwh, plus my newly added Leaf at around 4 000 kwh per year - used that calculator - http://sroeco.com/solar/calculate-solar-cost/what_size_solar_system_do_i_need/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - should build array ranked at around 11 kwh. Now I need to match available square footage with the above mentioned production. My understanding - 100 sq feet of the panel would generate 1 kwh of energy - and some of the newest panels would go up to almost 2 kwh per 100 sq feet - but would most likely be considerably more expensive. Have construction guys coming this week to make the measurements and figure out square footage of my patio roof - and than try to figure out which panels to choose from.