Outside of DIY there has to be a happy medium with contract support of installation. You guys do a great job discussing options. Keep up the great work.

Over 9 minutes into the video before you said the most important thing which is that people attempting this should have construction, roofing and electrical experience. Drilling holes in your roof to mount panels and hooking up DC wiring IS NOT a “learn it on youtube then go for it” kind of thing. Your home is your most valuable asset. If you have never done roofing, construction or electrical work in a professional or longterm hobby setting, please hire a licensed solar contractor!

@aaronzahorski9809

2 ай бұрын

Insane pricing from contractors. I got 3 quotes, two with a ~20kw array from $45k to $60k, and one with enphase and batteries for over $100k! I installed my own 25kw array with 3 SMA inverters for under $20k ($14k after tax credit). DIY I got a bigger system and saved over $25k. It’s been rock solid for almost 2 years now. Granted I am a DIY type person but a few KZread videos and a little research is all it took to save a lot of cash and know the job was done right because I did it myself. Also a little bonus is I had my son help me haul the panels up, father son bonding time. Also doing the math tells me that my ROI is less than 4 years!

@krystalhosmer9652

2 ай бұрын

I’m glad it worked out for you. Based on the number of would be DIY installs we’ve been called in to salvage though, it doesn’t work out for everyone. I work for a licensed commercial electrical contractor with a large residential and commercial solar division. Beyond the physical part of the installation and the many, many things that can go wrong with an over confident, inexperienced DIY install, there is also the correct sizing of the system both for the home’s energy needs and the utility’s net metering program (if it will be grid tied. Laying out the arrays on the optimal roof planes to achieve the shortest ROI and the cleanest looking installation. There is the task of preparing plans and filing for a permit then arguing with the plans examiner about this small section of electrical code and how it applies to the position of the AC disconnect on this project and scheduling needed inspections. Then it’s getting PTO from the utility after you’ve gotten them to grant a variance on that AC disconnect location relative to the gas meter. It’s a small construction project with a lot of components, not just some panels and some wires that you slap together like a Lego kit or IKEA furniture. A reputable, experienced solar contractor provides all of those things in a turn key system.

@JustNo8808

2 ай бұрын

Why on Earth would you need to have roofing experience? More like the ability to get inside your attic and the ability to work on a roof that has nothing to do with shingling.

@fjalics

2 ай бұрын

​@@krystalhosmer9652I've done it. I got a 6.2kw grid tie kit from Wholesale Solar, now Unbound solar. It's definitely not a beginner project, but doable. I made a ramp and drug the pannels up to the roof with a rope. I did paperwork for electrical, and a paper from an engineer that my roof can handle the weight, a Bosch D-Tect 150 to help me find the rafters. Took me a couple goes to pass inspection, but I got there. It has been running since 2017. I only had one problem. My outside shutoff fried, and I had to replace it. Made 36.71kwh today in Ohio.

@krystalhosmer9652

2 ай бұрын

@@JustNo8808 The racking must be anchored to the rafters through the roof sheathing on tile or shingle roofs. Those penetrations must be correctly positioned in order to hit the rafters and sealed properly to prevent leaks. If you don’t anchor the racking to the rafters, high winds can pull the panels right off your roof and rip up the sheathing in the process causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. If you don’t have any working knowledge of roofing, doing those things correctly is going to be difficult.

I recently purchased a 12 kW Inverter, 11.7 kW of premium PV panels, and two wall-mounted 14.3 kWh LiFePo batteries for $16,500 from a Solar System DIY warehouse. That price included taxes and delivery to my garage. I then went on Angie's List and got three local Solar Installers to compete for my business. The winning installer charged a flat rate of $15K to install the roof-mounted 30 X 390W panels, significant electrical wiring for grid interconnect, Inverter install, test, and turn up. The batteries are drop-dead easy to bring up, but 300lbs each and difficult to wall hang. We agreed to an hourly charge of $100 per hour to install, test, and turn up the batteries. My finished system cost is $39,000. About 50% less than a comparable Tesla 3 system with only one 14.1 kWh battery.

@iknoerleful

2 ай бұрын

Is $39k before or after 30% federal credit?

@kevfeely1

2 ай бұрын

@@iknoerleful Before - around $27,300 after

@brianturner8325

2 ай бұрын

Name of the company?

@IKidTheSolar

2 ай бұрын

That's your initial cost. You are losing about $2-$4,000 on that cash every year compounding. Now you have absolutely NOTHING behind your "system" which is a bunch of depreciating parts you poured $39,000 cash into for some inexplicable reason! You got ""premium" panels (A meaningless description - but at 390 watts, I highly doubt there is anything "premium about them). You have no labor, installation, or product warranties to speak of, no one to call or blame but yourself. You left a ton of cash in the IRS's pocket, most likely - and you have batteries that no one ever heard of really, and that are probably not the latest tech, with probably no significant warranty. You've got a ton of finger-pointing in your future (all at you), and you better cross your fingers and toes, while you wait to recover your money - not sure how or when. You could have received the best of the best from me - or my team - for that sized system using a ZERO down loan at 3.99% today - fully warranted for 25 years on all system components, and with a 15-year battery warranty, and not "premium" but the very best modules - at least 425 watt black on black, and a 30 Year warranty around the whole thing covering installation errors, roof penetrations and all system components besides the battery. If you pay federal income taxes and do not get them all back every year, you would have been able to get about $45,000-$55,000 of that back as cash, but used ZERO dollars investment - your electricity bill would have paid for the system (leaving you with a very minimal monthly electricity bill depending on the details) and you'd have pocketed the $45-$55 grand and invested it with your $39,000. But I'm sure this was totally brilliant instead! And you can thank these feckless solar ads and videos for your misguided adventure. Not being a jerk. just treating this with the seriousness it needs to be treated to shock these "solar " muppets into reality- stop saying all the wrong things, all the wrong ways, and leading these poor misguided souls to make all the worst decisions, thinking it was something wonderful! This video is beyond ridiculous. While you are "waiting" because of confused videos like this, they are costing you a fortune! I don't know what he's talking about. We've been installing Solar Power systems for 16 years through teams and this bizarre description of things is just ridiculous. NEVER do this yourself. NEVER. Solar panels are not the thing. Installing is not the THING. The Cost of parts and pieces, is not the THING. DM me if you want access to normal, safe, and simple Solar Power not this bizarre misconception of Solar Power.

@Death2Commies

2 ай бұрын

@@IKidTheSolar numerous quotes, how about $ 3,995 to replace the main power panel from 100 to 200 amps, bankrupt company, snotty "insultants" DIY saved me 1/3 of what you con artists charge

I'm in Michigan. we had a Solar system installed by a company that went out of business. It was a sad story as it was a small company and the primary owner passed away and then after that the company fell apart. Our SolarEdge invertor went bad sometime after and it was hard to find someone who could do the warranty swap. We found a company that was starting a "adoption" program to take over abandoned systems. They did charge a pretty big evaluation fee to take over the system. I know of another company that was doing their customers dirty in my area that went under. I did not feel bad about them at all failing. I am still wanting to upgrade our system and get a solar edge battery in the next couple years. I was hoping you guys would start operating in Michigan. Regaurdless. I find your videos to be honest reviews and provide good wisdom. Appreciate you.

@brianbassett4379

2 ай бұрын

HAHAHA, "They" go out of business, move to a new location, and open under a new name, so there are no warranty issues. Just like flooring stores do regularly. *_Going Out Of Business!_* See ya all in a month! It's a lousy business ploy.

@anthonyc278

2 ай бұрын

Shouldn't SolarEdge be responsible for the inverter?

@Techlore1

2 ай бұрын

@@anthonyc278 they did send a replacement but I had to find someone to swap it and provision it.

Love it!

Good video, I was surprised how approachable DIY is with ground mount. The Bluetti looks interesting. Frankly I thought Enphase was one of the more approachable grid-tied. But you have to be handy, careful, and aware of what you are doing in every manner, including being sufficient in understanding how solar technology interfaces with your home. Not the typical DIY job. More like contractor-level minded person, I think it’s got too many tentacles for most people, but manageable with lots of help from others who can answer your questions. I’m ok doing it myself. But I think it’s smart like you say, bring in a qualified electrician.

I've long come to the conclusion that when I do solar, I'll be doing it myself. Like you said, even if you do everything right, if the contractor you used goes out of business, that warranty is worthless.

I had my 47 panel 13.16 kW system installed and operating since June 2017. Shortly after that the company that installed it (Neutility) disappeared. I have been interested in the BluEtti system since watching Sam & Angela on the Green Acre Homestead channel install their system. I would very much LOVE to be COMPLETELY OFF GRID but have little to no skills with electrical systems and I have excessively shallow pockets. With my current system I have gone from about $350 month to nearly -$500 a year (I'm in Net Energy Metering, the first one ).

@QE007

2 ай бұрын

I would say to call BluEtti support and show them your system and they using have agents who can help design your system and you can give that to a electrician for installation

The stackable systems are getting upgrades so fast anymore, as soon as the delivery company drops off your order, there is a new better option. I did the Anker 3800 with the smart panel and expansion batteries, and it is awesome the way it integrates with my main panel. There are probably 5-6 different manufacturers that have the same type of systems now. They make a DYI system very easy to set up and are probably 10 times better than what was available 3-4 years ago. It is getting to the point where the only thing keeping everyone from going solar is the pricing. We will see if the new "solar for all" government plan helps sway the market. I know if you are a good business person, now is the time to consider starting an honest business. Honest being the key word here. There is a huge opportunity right now in the field to build a great income for years to come. Just think about the future with EV's in every garage and the consumer wanting to charge from solar at home. 🤯

Agreed, between incompetence and sleazy practices... contractors should be avoided if possible. There is a huge market opportunity for solar manufacters to design foolproof systems for DIY'ers.

I build diy, and offgrid battery backup systems.... certified signature solar installer.... just find one of us and get a system you can understand and upgrade.

I know from listening to other videos you have done that DIY is not a good choice - leave for professionals. Also, you have had an installer on and both of you were not positive on DIY and Signature Solar in particular. SIgnature Solar has a battery system (Ethos) that is even better than this option manufactured by Big Battery out of LA, California. As simple and coupled with a LUX inverter (Their EG4 brand) you are ready to connect to Breaker Panel, add solar, and even add a small generator and you are done! Thank you for pointing out options for all listeners! And I do understand this entire industry is shifting and changing primarily due to Cali Net metering 3 - and others are soon behind. Keep up getting good and factual info going out on your channel - it helps ALL customers!

i had mysolar company go out of buisness 3 years ago i needed help last year

Why do I have to give so much info to get a quote for a system I already have specs for? Is there a product list with specs and cost?

We paid top dollar for Sullivan Solar in 2012. Sullivan tanked because the owner had problems. Workers were great.

Why would woukd say you may need a permit? In what major markets would you not need a permit, a legit planset, inspection, be done to local code etc??

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

There are some parts of Texas and Oklahoma where no permits are required if you are outside of city limits.

@CC-mj3zq

2 ай бұрын

@@SolarSurge that's good for a few I suppose. There's a reason roofers and electricians are licensed trades.

whole sale solar helps with permits you just install

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, there’s also a company called Solar permit drawings who will put together the entire package for you

What would you recommend to interface this battery with an 8.2 kW grid tied Enphase AC coupled system?

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

You can AC couple this battery system to your existing Enphase solar panels. Just make sure the combined AC output of the micro inverters does not exceed 7600 W.

One of the most important skills to possess, as a small business owner, is the ability to "pivot". The traditional model of selling solar to customers has more or less collapsed, with the advent of high interest rates and the long-overdue gutting of net-metering rules. This video is one of the very best you have put out, and I honestly hope you understand why that is. There are really four different components to any "solar" setup; the PV array, charge controller, inverter solution, and battery array. As more and more equipment manufacturers have improved their offerings, integrating those components and making them far more DIY-friendly, more and more consumers have taken on the challenges associated with becoming their own power company! If you can adjust your business model to supporting that move toward DIY implementations, I think you'll add value and generate revenue. I hope that works for you, because the glory days of selling solar systems are probably gone forever. The biggest challenge is going to be financing these DIY projects, because I don't see a lot of banking institutions willing to take that risk.

@DanRingwald

2 ай бұрын

Yes the banks and consumer are not willing to take the risk which is why DIY is best to start very small and build it over time as you learn. EVs will also help as the come online as our next big mobile power stations.

@jasonbroom7147

2 ай бұрын

@@DanRingwald - As long at those EV's aren't using some kind of ternary battery source, maybe. Otherwise, that would be an insanely expensive power source, and one you really should be relying upon for transportation, since that's what it was designed to do.

Can you do a segment on power for all explaining how it works?

Is that a mini split above the toilet at around 4:51?

The vibrating image is actually really really annoying. It’s not Naida at all the content it’s quite powerful without it.

Thank you 😊. I run a small business and trying to go solar or battery backup is impossible. The joke is that solar has a 7 year pay back period for the last 20 years despite lower battery and solar panel costs and higher electric bills. The only way to bring green energy to the masses is to remove the middle man. Same problem in mini split systems.

What about the design, engineering and permitting. Say the building department requires corrections that are too technical for the homeowner's understanding, how would they navigate this issue. And then the application with the utility. It's way more time & headache for the consumer. I guess you could hire piece by piece everything that needs to be done, but then that may add up to be pretty close to the turn key system cost. But the piece by piece method has all the time & headache where the turn key system doesn't. And what about warranty?

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

There’s definitely a trade-off here. Navigating engineering, permitting, and utility interconnection are the major items that cause consumers to just hire the contractor. But for those who only need off grid back up power, I could see many of them going this route instead.

@michaelferketic3540

2 ай бұрын

@@SolarSurge Yes that makes sense. Taking projects from initial presentation all the way to PTO, I often think how much time and confusion a homeowner would have if they were left to themselves to get to PTO with the utility. And in the comparison trade off, of course assuming for the turn key project they are getting a fair price, and the company provides great customer service. Unfortunately there are many companies here lacking in one or both of those. It really made sense when you framed it as people are really buying construction projects, not products off the shelf. But the market treats it as the latter. Now I say I don't sell solar, I sell construction projects aimed at offsetting the electric bill and providing energy independence.

@guapo1270

2 ай бұрын

It makes sense for a home owner to hire a system integration professional with experience in DIY solar and storage systems for a few hours of consulting in order to sa e thousands

Doesn’t matter how cheap a solar panel is if the install markup is so high. My coworker had a solar installation shortly after he bought his house and they drilled 3 holes next to each other and didn’t fill them. They did this several times and the solar company said it was not them.

Do you work for those arms or just jack weights up and down all day?

Titan Solar bankrupt. Inverter has to be replaced. Can I change it without having to pay someone a whole bunch of money but still get the warranty?

What do you recommend for folks whose original installer went out of business? No one really will or wants to service it

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

Sign up for Solar Detect coverage at www.solarinsure.com

Hello. Thanks for the video. DIY sounds like a possibility! Personally, I would avoid roof top, and go with ground mount or unattached car port if it were me. There's a slight "ringing buzz" sound coming from the audio feed every time you talk into the mic for this video. (It is not in your older video "How to Solar Power your Home" (Not sure if this is a new mic or what the source might be).

So you just stand the panels against a fence? Seems like there are some gaps in your solar install...

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

This was just a field test. Of course the panels should be securely mounted to the roof or ground structure.

DIY makes $ense. Pay Cash. Install a Micro Inverter system. Add Panels and inverters as extra money comes along...

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

For lowest cost, you could avoid MLPE altogether and just run strings of solar panels directly to the inverter unit like this one here. We had no MLPE in this particular system.

Love your vids. You should turn off your background music.

I clicked the link in the description but did not see the model in this video

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

Look for EP800 and B500

@anthonyc278

2 ай бұрын

@@SolarSurge I believe the link in the description is wrong. Can you double-check and update it?

AC/DC in Florida is out of business.

This was more a commercial for some blue crap if anything. I heard blue etti more than any good info. LOL

The battery part is fine, but when you include solar, you still have to get a lot of red tape in terms of getting them install. Thats where it cost too much if you ask me. Construction permits, to electric permits is why going solar can cost too much in general. Until that red tape goes away, is going to suck either direction you really go. So we need cheaper install methods for the solar part. It shouldnt cost someone 5k or more to install and setup that half of it.

Fantastic 😊

My solar installer and panel manufacturer went out of business

Is there an actual video of the installation at your friend's house?

@SolarSurge

2 ай бұрын

Yes we will be compiling that soon.

Nice while you’re at it you should build your own home. The markup on the materials is ridiculous.

Good info. I know that a lot of people rant that prebuilt systems cost more than buying each part yourself and putting them together, but not everyone is good at building stuff or even wants to devote the time to do so. It's good to have professionals that do everything for the wealthy, prebuilt systems for those that want an easy DIY, and individual parts for those that want to save every penny possible.

dont forget your B/ S OVERHEAD

I want to take control. However, HOA rules prevent me from enjoying the benefits. Seems wrong that HOA's restrict the Energy needs of our country! State laws need to change. Suggestions?

@bobcole3852

2 ай бұрын

HOA cannot keep you from installing a solar system.

@dewholdingsllc1050

2 ай бұрын

@ricoma6037 please understand that a lot of POA, HOA, have old governing documents and boards that are old timers and not following the law. No board can prevent you from installing equipment allowed by the Feds. Such as satellite antenna, rain water collection, and solar systems. Federal agencies trump State law and county law and city and HOA laws. Uncle Sam says you can install solar system on your property. That’s why they have tax credits and rebates. The HOA cannot enforce old bylaws that say you can’t. Just follow the hoa forms local utility permitting forms and tell them what you are going to install. They can say no they have no enforcement power over federal or state regulations.

@ricoma6037

2 ай бұрын

Thank you. That was an aspect that I didn't consider. I'd like to find something official that I could provide stating that Federal Law regarding home solar overrides State, city, or HOA restrictions.

@svenmaster67

2 ай бұрын

What state are

@ricoma6037

2 ай бұрын

​@@svenmaster67Nebraska

Her self

Battery backup and solar is not real rocket science. A general understanding of electrical theory and unified building codes is adaquate. Here in the north air conditioning is just a convienience but non-electric heating is mandatory I have both natural gas and propane and I have two tri-fuel generators for backup on cloudy days.My sloar is planned at just 5000 watts and my battery is 12,000 WH. If all else fails I could run the central air off one generator but it would be expensive

This seems like the best option since this companies are just failing. Even Tesla is having trouble scaling their solar roofs

High Voltage on the rooftop? 24V solar is now High Voltage?🤣

@SolarSurge

21 күн бұрын

Did you watch the video. This solar was wired at 360V.

My company is still in business but won’t come back to our location they suck!

So sad. I couldn’t believe what I just saw here. Let me made short, my charge for connecting this toy on grid will be 2000€.

AHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaaaaaaaaaaaa! What could possibly go wrong?!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Greed is what got those companies gone.

My solar company went belly up when the owner spent all the money stalking his ex wife

Lotta talkin" !!!! DAMNED little info !!!!!

DIY solution is basically dead. I've been calculating costs savings for the past 2 months with research and I am literally within saving $1000-5000 only. this is coming from where all the equipment and installation pass inspection and is able to turn on and power my house legally. DIY comes with 4-6 more panels and a decent sized backup battery. However, you have to do the work yourself or hire someone else which can cost anywhere from $8-15K with limited warranty. then you have to worry about permits, inspections, your AHJ, POCO. a lot of these youtubers or diy'ers show off their fancy system but most of them don't tell you if they got permits for it and I feel that the majority of people don't want to go down that path. plus a complete kit online isn't 100% complete, you still need to buy misc conduits, wires, nuts, bolts, etc. DIY: 10kw panels, 10kwh batteries, microinverters/inverter/mppt/hybrid (whatever system you choose). comes with rails and permit ready for $24k. you do your own install. Pro: 6.4kw panels, 10kwh batteries, they will handle the complete install and until power is on for $26k. comes with labor/workmanship warranty this is a california quote I just received about a week ago on my house.

Why in the cover photo it looks like you about to puke??? I thought this video was about solar not hurling.

Suddenly from diy to extremely to big for me

Bluetti, okay product bad customer service.

With all the other ignorant stuff that you're refusing to learn on solar now you get to install it yourself with all the solar panel fires how much higher will the insurance be Bring the s'mores you can say you installed it yourself

@anthonyc278

2 ай бұрын

That depends on where you place the solar panels. My landlord self-installed the solar panel in the backyard without any problem.

@dennisdickinson8337

2 ай бұрын

@@anthonyc278until there's a prob so not only stealing from us and the power company also stealing from the insurance company Pretty shady

@dennisdickinson8337

2 ай бұрын

Oh yeah and the problem of it only putting in less than 20%

You're just really out of context ....a shame !

Solar is not a thing you BUY the way you keep talking about it. Solar Power is not raw materials. My opinion? Your advice is just the worst thing I've heard in 16 years.