Solar system info, resources, web sites, personal experience.

[MontyFloyd]

Making a resource post for TCM people looking at installing PV, everyone encouraged to post.
I am seriously looking to install a set, want to share the research and process at same time.


Web sites:
Solargraf is a directory of installers, like a portal.

Solar Forums: Engage in Top Solar Installer Forums | Solargraf

For everything from installer reviews to technical guides, this list of the best forums for solar installers has anything you need to know about solar energy.

www.solargraf.com

Solar Feeds is list of 10 forums

10 Best Solar Power Forums in2022 - SolarFeeds Magazine

It’s very crucial for solar installers to stay updated on anything that is related to solar power. This means they …

www.solarfeeds.com

FeedSpot is more, some same links

10 Best Solar Power Forums in2022 - SolarFeeds Magazine

It’s very crucial for solar installers to stay updated on anything that is related to solar power. This means they …

www.solarfeeds.com

DIY Solar Power Forum

DIY Solar Power Forum

Love building DIY solar electric projects? Come hang out :D

diysolarforum.com

Solar Panel Talk forum

Forums - Solar Panels - Solar Panels Forum

vBulletin Forums

www.solarpaneltalk.com

Interested in Solar Panels? Here Is Some Advice - New York Times.​

Interested in Solar Panels? Here Is Some Advice.

Buying a solar energy system can be expensive and confusing. Here are some things to think about if you are in the market for solar panels.

www.nytimes.com

 

[MontyFloyd]

This is become an odyssey!

FAR more than one would expect in deciding the system (it's not the panels and controller, it's everything else)

And a good book is a must.

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies​

and

Solar Power Demystified The Beginners Guide To Solar Power Energy (at least this is free)​

Downloaddirect Free PDF Books - Free PDF Books

freepdf-books.com

 

[MontyFloyd]

✓ Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy: Visit
www.dsireusa.org
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
✓ Clean Power Estimator: Check out
www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator
Clean Power Estimator is an economic evaluation software program the California Energy Commission is licensing for use from Clean Power Research. The program provides California residential and commercial electric customers a personalized estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar or small wind electric generation system.
✓ The Energy Grid: See
https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
This tool allows you to estimate the number of watts of power you can expect from your solar system in a given geographical area.
✓ Find Solar: Go to
www.findsolar.com
These estimators are driven by extensive databases of solar ratings, regional weather conditions, and applicable incentives.
Very practical.

 

[yblaser]

✓ Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy: Visit
www.dsireusa.org
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
✓ Clean Power Estimator: Check out
www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator
Clean Power Estimator is an economic evaluation software program the California Energy Commission is licensing for use from Clean Power Research. The program provides California residential and commercial electric customers a personalized estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar or small wind electric generation system.
✓ The Energy Grid: See
www.pvwatts.org
This tool allows you to estimate the number of watts of power you can expect from your solar system in a given geographical area.
✓ Find Solar: Go to
www.findsolar.com
These estimators are driven by extensive databases of solar ratings, regional weather conditions, and applicable incentives.
Very practical.

The PV Watts address should be:

PVWatts

Estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations

pvwatts.nrel.gov

 

[CrazyRabbit]

Can mod edit op’s post to correct link //pvwatts.nrel.gov/

 

[MontyFloyd]

The PV Watts address should be:

PVWatts

Estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations

pvwatts.nrel.gov

Thanks.
Probably changed from the book source, not notice

 

[holeydonut]

IMO that top 10 list of forums is garbage... TMC Energy Sub Forum is not on there. This forum has way more useful info than Solar Panel Talk

 

[MontyFloyd]

IMO that top 10 list of forums is garbage... TMC Energy Sub Forum is not on there. This forum has way more useful info than Solar Panel Talk

Well,

Energy, Environment, and Policy

Discussion about Energy and Environment

teslamotorsclub.com

is too diluted with all manner of Energy, Environment, and Policy topics, wanted to focus on PV only.

 

[holeydonut]

Well,

Energy, Environment, and Policy

Discussion about Energy and Environment

teslamotorsclub.com

is too diluted with all manner of Energy, Environment, and Policy topics, wanted to focus on PV only.

Oh yeah, that general energy sub is just a rant-dumping-fest of climate deniers ... I'm not a fan of that sub. There are a ton of personal attacks going on in those threads and the mods just let it all go.

I meant this actual Tesla Energy sub you're posting in heh.

Tesla Energy

Tesla Powerwall, Powerpack, Solar Roof, Solar City, etc.

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[MontyFloyd]

I received some quotes

National installer A
Sys Size 6.15 kWp
Est Ann prod 8000 kWh
15x Hanwa ML-G10+
15x Enphase IQ8+
$18,656

National installer B
Sys Size 5.95 kWp
Est Ann prod 8050 kWh
14x Equinox M 425W
14x micro inverters
$23,240

and the rest.

Thoughts?

 

[MontyFloyd]

Good site for understanding solar panels, inverters etc, 2020 info

I found this site while looking for more info on SolarEdge HD Wave Inverters. Up-to-date info for 2020. Keep in mind the site is run from Australia so products listed in general might be different there than sold here but a lot of the info is generic and helpful I found. Good info on how a solar...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[MontyFloyd]

Excellent site on development of renewable tech with historical costs declines plotted.

Why did renewables become so cheap so fast?

In most places power from new renewables is now cheaper than new fossil fuels.

ourworldindata.org

 

[jjrandorin]

The PV Watts address should be:

PVWatts

Estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations

pvwatts.nrel.gov

Can mod edit op’s post to correct link //pvwatts.nrel.gov/

(moderator note)

I missed this, but have corrected it in the referenced post. I would recommend in the future to use the report function as that will flag it in a queue for any mod that has edit rights in this subforum (which isnt just me) to see it and take action, if appropriate.