Project Solar DIY Grid-Tied Solar – https://projectsolar.sjv.io/EKmxNn
Promo Code (Waves The $100 Deposit) = ES2024
WAGO 613 Lever Nuts – https://amzn.to/3yha5mh
Chiptoolz Rafter Locator – https://amzn.to/46mCTqp
Iron Ridge FlashFoot2 – https://amzn.to/4cIpgUA
I started the process a couple months back on eliminating my power bill by doing a DIY installation of 4.8kW Solar System on my home. I used Project Solar who helped with the design, hardware selection, engineering prints, submitting permits, and working with my utility for Net Metering. Overall this process was smooth and I wanted to document the complete DIY installation to help you do the same at your home. You can save a substantial amount of money but this is a major DIY project so only take on a project like this if you can perform all steps safely and within your skill set.
Additional Materials Purchase
1) 20 Amp Breaker (Enphase Envoy)
2) 20 Amp Breaker (Main Panel)
3) Roofing Caulk
4) PVC Schedule 40 Conduit and Fittings
5) 10/2 Romex
6) 4×4 Metal Junction Box
7) WAGO 221 Lever Nuts
8) Grounding (3-wire) Busbar
9) 1×3 boards (used for mounting on siding)
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:30 Layout of Solar Panels on Roof
1:34 How To Design Your Solar System Layout
2:15 Installing Iron Ridge FlashFoot2 Mounting Anchors
11:18 How You Can Do Your Own DIY Solar Installation
12:38 Installing Solar Rails
15:59 Enphase Micro Inverter Installation
18:24 Installing the EZ Solar Junction Box
22:49 Wiring Enphase Micro Inverters
25:04 Wiring 2 Solar Arrays Together in the Attic
28:21 Installing Solar Main Disconnect and Enphase Envoy
30:57 Wiring An Enphase Envoy and Main Disconnect
38:38 Mounting Solar Panels
41:50 Finished Product
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
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I'm a certified master electrician in Maryland and Virginia and you cannot use romex for any PV installations, it has to always be run in EMT conduit, that's why most installations are run on the outside, because it's much easier
cool video. it's kind of shocking how much that roof is deflecting as you move around.
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After watching you peel those shingles up, I am so glad I never let a solar company touch my roof.
So with these systems that feed back into the grid, what happens when u lose power in ur neighborhood? Is there a switch that u can just use the power for yourself? I am struggling to understand why anyone would diy a system to support our failing power grid.
Did I miss the installation of the inverter and the battery management system
Great video! Where can I get that type of flashing? Thanks!
Your "Project Solar" link is not valid.
so in others words, don't do this yourself. message received.
Hello, Is there a reason you did not install in portrait? Wouldn’t you reduce the number of mounting points?
Safety First, Be careful working in the Breaker panel! Also best practice is to run a larger wire from the Combiner box (6AWG) to the breaker panel to make it easier if the system is expanded. Then the only thing on that side that would have to change is the size of the breaker in the panel and and new circuit to the solar panels.
Thanks for your video. I'm looking to DIY my own system in Southern California. Just starting. Would love to hear about the things I need to be cautious and prepared for beyond just the nuts and bolts of the whole system. Maybe some horror stories of newbie installers experience.
They make a handy tool called the Magnespot that would greatly help with locating the trust from the other side of the roof. It not a cheap tool that a diy person would want to buy though
Read up on Project Solar. They don't seem to be the company you make them to be countless bad reviews on Reddit, the BBB, and else where. They just deleted their Yelp page. Read their terms and conditions too they do not guarantee their work nor their subcontractors work.
This is great if you don’t mind getting up on your roof for any potential issues in the future. Otherwise, find a reputable (not a door to door high pressure salesperson) with reasonable pricing and go with them.
I'm in Indiana. Where did you buy the rails? Looks like they might be too long to ship?
My parents have just had 3 quotes for a solar array coming in at 52k,55k and 72k. Absolutely ridiculous prices when I figure about 30k max for what they need. DIY is the only option apparently in Salem Oregon and that would give them a huge amount of solar.
Watching that roof flex has me curious as to how long this will last. Going to need updates.
I'm just starting to research the viability of installing solar on my house. Your video is fantastic. Everything makes sense, and it definitely looks like a project I could take on myself. Even the electrical, although I would probably hire a pro for that.
Congrats you "saved" money spending 20 grand for solar to get "no power bill", Ya right! To have no bill in California you're gonna jump thru tons of hoops, then spend 30 grand on solar AND batteries AND do all the work yourself. All that and you save a couple grand in power bills ever year so in 15 years you're finally ahead, but wait, now it's time to replace solar panels and batteries! ROFL Solar is one of the biggest scams out there.
https://youtube.com/shorts/JrjeuKkIC68?si=pD0ynEDPcAIa0i4q
That was very handy, even though roofing and the electrical system is different here it is a great run through of the micro inverter layout and setup.
I am a micro inverter manufacturer, welcome to consult
VIEWERS: THIIS VIDEO HAS MORE HOLES IN IT THAN SWISS CHEESE – HE'S LEAVING OUT TONSSSSS OF CONSIDERATIONS – BETTER VIDEOS OUT THERE THAN THIS ONE. HE DIDN'T EVEN SHOW HOW TO USE A HOLE SAW TO GET THROUGH TO THE PANEL!!!! UGGHHHHH
hi what is the price of the micro inverter used in this project
Is there a reason you mounted the Enhase box on the outside of the house rather than inside next to the electrical panel? Was this simply a cosmetic preference or were there other considerations?
Hello, I just bought a house with solar panels installed. Can you explain to me how they work? Thy
Why not use a stud finder to locate the trusses?
Nice install! 👍
Thank you for the time and effort put into this video. Very illustrative and helpful! A few questions please, why do we need the output of two micro-inverter arrays to be combined first and then go to the combiner box? Can we wire the two outputs directly into the combiner box and then combine from there? Also, why do we need to wire the outputs through the attic? It seems easier to wire them directly to the combiner box using exterior conduit since both the micro-inverters and the combiner box are on the exterior side. Is it per code requirement?
Hi Scott, I don't know if you read the comments but I'll ask anyway. I am in the UK and have a static caravan on the grid but want to run most of the leccy items on solar. I am a noob at electrics and would rather buy an 'all-in-one' system but these power systems are hella expensive for what is basically a battery, inverter, charge controller and some sockets in a fancy box. Looking at my grid leccy usage stats, I'm using around 3kWh per day, maybe up to 4 kWh if I have the washer on and air fryer. The stats of, say, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3600kW appeal to me, but then I look at the price and wonder if I need something as meaty as that for my usage? Given that a 400W rigid panel typically seems to generate around 1 kWh to 2 kWh per day with typical British weather, and given how cheap the panels are here (JA Solar JAM54D41-440/LB 440W panel around £80 each (OCV 38.45V, MPV 31.86V, SCC 14.58A, MPC 13.81A, efficiency 22%), I wonder if you'd advise loading up on more 'cheap' panels to recharge the power station faster, thus allowing a cheaper unit with a smaller capacity and output? Caveat: I would like to boil my kettle off it, and it's a 3kW kettle. Obviously it would only be running for a few minutes, but am I right in thinking that only something like the $2500 EcoFlow Pro model with 3500W output would be able to run this, so I'd need to either get a less powerful kettle or use grid power? TIA!
Thanks!
YES. My 6.3KW array cost $10K after the FED rebate. I get 8.3MWH per year in Spokane Washington. I bought the components as a kit and had it installed in only two days. I have had ZERO problems after six years and paid ZERO $ for electricity. ❤❤. You can do this.
So how much was it? You save $7k so how much was it out pocket it? does something like this qualify for any incentives?
Fantastic step by step video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi I have a question. Let's say I want to over panel my power station but I can't find the exact solar panel. For example my 500 watt solar panel is 42 volts can I use a 40 volts 500 watt solar panel to run it in parallel for my powerstation will it still work? Because when u over paneled ecoflow u used two pieces of helium 350 watts panels and they were both the same volts brands etc. Let's say in a case u couldn't find that exact helium 350 watts panel can u use other panel with slightly different volt and run in parallel thanks
Are 'whole house' circuit breakers ever used on the solar installation? Please explain why or why not.
A lot of labor.
Great overall video Scott, If anyone knows of a good installation company in Augusta, GA please let me know. I'm looking to get a system installed.
Your shingles don't appear to be properly nailed.