Forum Members Solar Installations With Pics

I nominate AlbetaNewbie to make the list ;)

westend wrote:

renoman69 wrote:
I bumped this. Hope you guys don't mind. Thought it might be lost in the backpages by now.

Thanks for taking the time to compile the installations, I have the thread bookmarked.

Me too! Just waiting to clean the roof before I post some decent photos!

renoman69 wrote:
I bumped this. Hope you guys don't mind. Thought it might be lost in the backpages by now.

Thanks for taking the time to compile the installations, I have the thread bookmarked.

I bumped this. Hope you guys don't mind. Thought it might be lost in the backpages by now.

wintersun wrote:
Why would you want an alarm or other warning system?

?

Why would you want an alarm or other warning system? The controllers depend upon the number of panels, outputs, monitoring wanted, available space, gauge wiring used, and price one is willing to pay. Five installations can be expected to use five different charge controllers.

The devil is in the details. Finding the cable, connectors, circuit breakers, fuses, combiner box, cable glands, and other items took as much time as finding panels and choosing the charge controller. I used at least a dozen companies to get the items I needed for my installation and still ended up fabricating a steel rack for a second battery and an aluminum rack to securely mount the panels on the roof.

What would have been very helpful would have been a listing of vendors for various types of system parts.

Examples:

Wire and cable connectors and waterproof circuit brekers: DelCity, Jamestown Distributors, Amazon.

Most of the installations of others I foundwere for trailers and large motorhomes and not at all applicable to my installation where space was beyond tight in every regard and my TPO roof provided its own challenges.

Three Kyocera 245s + Midnite Classic controller: Photos

Done installing all the panels. Over a period of 3 years, I have added solar. Started with (2) 180 watt panels. In 2012 added (1) 300 watt panel, and then this pass weekend. Added the last panel 280 watt. This last panel cost me $230.
All panels can be raise for winter.
All panels are high voltage, 40 volt no load and 35 volt load.
For 3 years I have been using a controller made by Biz Products. So far no problem. The link to my install is below. I calculated at 70% efficiency this provides about 700 watts continuous.

Solar

I found the last panel on craig list. 480.255.1084 (Leroy). He has 19 left and is located in Mesa, Az.

Total system 960 watts @35 volts.
660ampHour Capacity
MPPT controller
Magnum ME2800 inverter.
Residential Refrigerator (I recently installed).

Wheeeewph! I have waited for months for another one...