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From Solar Installation
This site is a collection of information we've collected while in the process of figuring out if adding a solar power system to our house is cost effective.
We are planning on putting information and picture of the entire process we go through from the home evaluation to installation and activation of the system.
Contents |
Our Home
Our home is located in San Jose, California, with a south east facing roof.
You can view the performance of our system.
You can find pictures here.
STEP 1: Complete an Energy Audit
Start out at the PG & E Solar at Home web site and take their energy audit.
See our notes: P G & E, which includes a copy of our self-audit
STEP 2: Contact and Choose an vendor
We expanded to multiple projects;
The Return on Investment can be quite interesting and surprising.
| Type of job | Percent of Cost Recovered |
|---|---|
| Solar System | $20 of home value for every $1 of yearly energy savings |
| Window Replacement | 96.4% |
| Landscaping |
Look at solar vendors
- Selected Power Solutions 09/14/07
5.0kw System (41% Solar Production)
This system will producte approximately 6,803kwh per year.
CSI EPBB Calculator: (Page 1), (Page 2)
30 - Solar panels Sharp ND167U1- Documentation
1 - SMA SB5000US Inverter
1 - Roof mounting racks for solar penels
1 - AC Disconnect
1 - All wiring, conduit and other materials
1 - Upgrade main panel to 200 apms
1 - 5 years Fat Spaniel Monitoring System
Here are a some pictures we've taken during the installation process.
Look at window vendors
- Selected Magic Windows 09/12/07
Look at financing alternatives
- Selected Citibank 08/31/07
Landscaping
We decided that we needed to make our yard more livable.
Upgrade roof gutters
- We also reviewed various gutter companies at the home shows and selected the Shutter Gutter company on 09/04/07
