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• Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,293 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 2017 #2

  That article really doesn't say much at all.  10% might be about right if I bought panels etc at a box store vs getting something installed, but it's really apples and oranges.  I saw $3/watt on sale at Canadian Tire recently.

  Off-grid.  
  Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
  Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter

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• cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭

  October 2017 #3

  Tire stores install Solar Systems?
  
  Rancher

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• mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,204 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 2017 edited October 2017 #4

  They do sell tires but are actually stores like Target and Walmart, with an automotive shop attached.

  1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery bank 
  Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah FLA 24V nominal used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
  5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.

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• Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,293 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 2017 #5

  Home Depot also sells pv online.  $514CAD for a 150w panel.  $2770CAD for a 400w DIY kit.  Like CT, they don't install and mainly sell small 12v systems.  At those prices, installed prices from a solar specialist are likely close, but it's apples and oranges. 
  
  I priced out gear locally from a specialist when I did my system about 3 years ago.  It was  nearly double (not including labour) versus what I paid NAWS.  CAD/USD is lower now, so I expect it's still roughly the same.  On top of the extra cost for the local specialist, I wouldn't have had to do all the reading and planning I did, so there would probably also have been the cost of murdering at least one battery bank in the learning curve.
  
  

  Off-grid.  
  Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
  Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter

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• Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 4,862 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 2017 #6

  The local brick and mortar solar business is over twice my price. I unfairly compete as I teach the user how to install by text or e-mail Outback or Schneider.
  
  They do a great job of going to these remote rural locations and doing the work. They are great for people who do not have basic handyman skills. I require that and pass on the bid to them. They have alot of stock and a wharehouse. I have few spare 24 and 48v inverters and a cc or two. My stock all comes from two of the largest warehouses in the Americas.  I don't change the price but rather charge a flat fee anywhere in the world.
  
  I am what the financial guys call critical mass. I like the work and the people, but if they get weird, I go outside and enjoy my life offgrid!
  Plenty to do here for 25 years now 

  "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Mountains near Mariposa/Yosemite CA
   http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
  E-mail [email protected]
  
  

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• oil pan 4 Solar Expert Posts: 766 ✭✭✭✭

  July 2018 #7

  That mother earth article could be accurate if you used $10 to $20 per watt panels prices.
  Only then could the install price be considered insignificant.
  
  What I have found is the installers mark up the hardware to almost double it's original cost, then double that number again to install it.

  Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.

  Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.

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• stmoloud Registered Users Posts: 111 ✭✭

  November 2018 #8

  Estragon said:

  Home Depot also sells pv online.  $514CAD for a 150w panel.  $2770CAD for a 400w DIY kit.  Like CT, they don't install and mainly sell small 12v systems.  At those prices, installed prices from a solar specialist are likely close, but it's apples and oranges. 
  
  I priced out gear locally from a specialist when I did my system about 3 years ago.  It was  nearly double (not including labour) versus what I paid NAWS.  CAD/USD is lower now, so I expect it's still roughly the same.  On top of the extra cost for the local specialist, I wouldn't have had to do all the reading and planning I did, so there would probably also have been the cost of murdering at least one battery bank in the learning curve.
  
  

  The reading and planning is worth it though. If you are moderately sensible and practical, you don't need to leave yourself open to being ripped off by the 'experts'
  

  760W panel array, 4 x 6v 220 ah Crown batteries, Tristar TS-45 PWM controller,  no name 600 PSW inverter. 
  

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• BoFuller Solar Expert Posts: 155 ✭✭✭

  December 8 #9

  I did my initial system (12V with 2 batteries and 3 panels) on my travel trailer that I was living in while building my log home. I felt comfortable enough from what I learned from here and from that install to attempt my bigger system, but time constraints changed things. Due to permit deadlines, I decided to sub out solar setup and plumbing. I had already purchased my panels and worked with a local guy who I felt did a good job for a reasonable price.
  I think DIY is the way to go if you are mechanically inclined to do it. 

  12 Kyocera 235 panels, 16 Trojan L16 RE-B batteries, Outback 3600W 48V system, Generac 11K propane backup generator, NW AZ, off grid, 6,000 ft (system installed in April 2015)
  
  

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• softdown Solar Expert Posts: 2,756 ✭✭✭✭

  December 8 #10

  Absent a consulting guru like DA, I see three qualifiers for the real do-it-yourselfer to do a real solar system:
  1) Have a background working with wiring.
  2) Have a background in building stuff.
  3) Have a lot of time to do some reading then a lot of time to spend at a place like this. 
  
  I'd say 90% should hire it out. My years here and personal experience is that almost everybody makes gigantic mistakes with their installation. Like the guy I sold a 1500 inverter to. He used the biggest 90's era refrigerator he could find for free. You know the rest of that story. Then he ignored two offers to look at his system. Instead deferring to his electrician friend. Being an electrician doesn't make one a solar consultant. Being a guy - I'm sure he thought he was.

  First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  

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