Comments for How to Start a Home Solar Project

Comment on Shade and Solar Panels by How Does Temperature Effect Solar Panels | How to Start a Home Solar Project

Mon, 31 May 2010 19:47:41 +0000

[...] Here is another link about shade and solar panels [...]

Comment on Buying a 3.0 to 4.0 Kilowatt Solar System by Buying and Maintaining a Solar Electric PV System | How to Start a Home Solar Project

Mon, 31 May 2010 19:46:39 +0000

[...] Another related article is about buying a 3 to 4 kw solar system [...]

Comment on Buying and Maintaining a Solar Electric PV System by Tips and ideas to consider for implementing a solar system | How to Start a Home Solar Project

Mon, 31 May 2010 19:44:40 +0000

[...] should consider and think about with regards to a solar project. Here is another related post on how to maintain a solar system once you have one [...]

Comment on How Many Solar Panels Can Fit on My Roof? by Margaret Collins

Margaret Collins — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:17:00 +0000

Great, practical info in this post! I like to give people the 100 sq ft per kilowatt rule of thumb–since there are so many different sizes of panels out there (not to mention nearly limitless configurations possible, if you know what you’re doing or working with an installer who does), you should be able to find a solution for your roof even if it’s irregularly sized.

Comment on Solar is a longterm plan right? by Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:11:39 +0000

I have been in solar about 10 years now, with some of the largest residential contractors and now almost a year with my own company. Look for a design backed by a strong warranty, most of the panels are out of China, which is what we use, and we sell a quality install for closer to $6.00 a watt than seven. Watch out for the high performance modules The most notable who makes them has been replacing them, including on my own house. Look for the Honda not the ferrari. Better something a little less effecient than a system under performing or not working at all. You should be paying for AC watts not by panel, so extra panels should not cost you extra. Look for contractors with real experience there are so many guys getting into this with no experience and higher prices. Right now we dont even advertise all of our business is word of mouth.

Comment on Solar is a longterm plan right? by admin

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:46:15 +0000

Hi Ginger,
First of all, you are right on with your longterm goal. Especially in a location like Arizona which usually has excellent sunlight hours which is so very important. For the sake of this blog, maybe you could share some more ideas into how you became interested in solar power in the first place… Was it a friend who sparked your interest, or other reasons?
Thanks again for your post.!!

Comment on Solar is a longterm plan right? by Ginger

Ginger — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:27:25 +0000

Thank you for the information. We are already on solar and also have grid power. We never generate enough to get $ back…even if there were any dollars coming back since the budget cuts in Arizona. I heard about this site from your comment on the Arizona Republic article. We have a relatively low aps bill each month as most of our home uses the solar. With cap and trade looming on the horizon, I’m very thankful we have it and I think it’s great that you give logical information for people to consider and calculate their investments. Truthfully, we would have put it in even if it cost slightly more because we appreciate the self-sufficiency.