ABCs of Buying Solar

Katharine J Kent, PE CEM

ABC of Buying SolarAbout Solar

Buying or Leasing

Construction/Contractor

About SolarSolar Hot Water

Solar Pool

Tubular Skylights

Photovoltaics – Solar Electric

Domestic Hot WaterActive System Passive System

Solar And HOAsArizona’s Solar Rights Law

Prohibits from banning solar

Does allow reasonable guidelines

In place since 1984

Strongest in the nation

Buying or LeasingWhich one is best for you?

Both provide energy savings but at what cost?

Buying - BasicsYou own the system

Tax Credit/Utility Incentives Available

Use the equipment you want

PaybackHot Water/Pool 3-5 years

Photovoltaic 9-11 years

Buying - ConcernsHigher up front cost

You are responsible for maintenance

Equipment warranted for parts/labor

Equipment Manufacturer may go out of business

Leasing - BasicsLittle to No Upfront Cost

Guaranteed system performance

20-25 year contracts

Maintenance parts and labor included

Tax Credits/Incentives to leasing company

Leasing - ConcernsFuture owners must qualify

Lien placed on home; needs to be cleared for resale or refinance

Escalation Clauses

Is maintenance team local?

Leasing - ConcernsCannot be expanded or altered

Not available for solar hot water or pool systems

Equipment not your choice

Still new - a lot of unknowns

Solar EquipmentInvertersString Versus Micro-inverters

ModulesPoly versus Mono crystalline

US versus Non US made

ContractorCheck azroc.gov

All contractors must have license number for work performed-11 for photovoltaic/-37, -37R, -77 or -78 for hot water

Solar Designations required in 2014

Check for Open Complaints

Verify Bonding Amounts

ContractorCheck BBB

Look for A+ or A ratings

Ask for and check references

Be cautious about referral networks Make sure they are vetted

Can the contractor pay to remove postings

Time to ConstructionSolar Hot Water - 10-14 days

Solar Pool Heating – 5-10 days

Photovoltaic – 2-3 months

Construction TimeSolar Hot Water - 1 day

Solar Pool Heating – 1 day

Photovoltaic – 2-5 days

So what goes on….

Measuring out the array placement

Stand off and Flashing

3 course sealing of flashing

Long term roof sealing

Stand offs and flashings are installed

Next we install the rail and conduit

Bonding of the rails splices

Micro Inverers are mounted to the rail

Installing Micro inverters and cabling to the rail.

Wiring the Micro Inverters to the conduit

Another truck load of modules

Modules are placed on the rail

Attaching the modules to the rail – End Clips

Attaching the modules to the rail – Mid Clips

Micro Inverters are mounted beneath the

modules

Then the arrays are lifted

Ready for system test