Connecticut Help needed in choosing a Photovoltaic System

 Connecticut Help needed in choosing a Photovoltaic System

I am having trouble trying to find a good solar power system to
install in my residential home in Connecticut.

I called several Solar companies and got a run around,they
wanted to do the install and told me that you must be a Professional
Licenes Installer or you cannot do the work.

I am not interested in selling power back to the power company,I
will be using commercial batteries, and storing the power for
my own use only.

I am an Iron worker by trade ,I will be making a structure in my
backyard to mount the photo cells on , I will be able to move
the cells to keep them in the direction of the sun during the day.


I have a welder and heavy equiptment for doing the job myself.
This is somethign I want to do myself for my own personal reasons.

I am looking for a good Photovoltaic System to choose, I know
this is a fast changing field , I do not want  to get some older stuff
ubloaded on to me . I have gotten the run around by many contractors
that are against me doing the job myself.

Any suggestions would be great. Please reply here or you can email

Thanks Bob

  Keep googling for solar and photovoltaic... there are mail order places
that will ship the stuff to you. Also look for 'trackers'... they can
be built or bought... they add 30-50% to the panel output, but some say
take the money for the tracker and buy a couple more panels.... you
need to run the numbers... also read up on MPPT charge controllers....

 
If you want the $5 per watt rebate, that's true.
"Installation must comply with all federal, state, and local codes; Must be
grid-connected and installed by a pre-approved contractor."

On my solar project, there was one lump sum on the contract, to comply with
state laws to avoid sales tax on the equipment, but my invoice had pricing
for major components and installation.

My installation component wasn't bad.  The cost of the installation
materials was bundled in with the labor, so it looked like a good hourly
rate for the three guys doing the work.

Maybe you should have someone propose a system to you.  You building the
mounting framework would then be discussed as a knock off from the price.
Once they have you on the hook for a system, some negotiation is probably
going to happen before they let you walk away.

Don't neglect the cash advantages of connecting to the grid.
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=CT
There are rebates, grants, and low interest loans.
Connecticut looks like a friendly place for solar.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA  38.8,-122.5

 wrote:


Earlier this week, I attended a PV Design and Installation workshop in
New York.

From that workshop I learned that, in order for a homeowner to qualify
for a grid-interconnected PV system rebate on Long Island (approximately
50% of the system cost), the homeowner was required to use an approved
installation contractor.

My sense was that many of the electricians who participated in this
workshop did so with the aim of getting on the list of approved
contractors.

It appears that there is increasing momentum toward licensing  and
certification for PV systems installation contractors nationwide.

--
Ed Lomax (edlomax at earthlink dot net)