Rooftop Solar Power Has a Dark Side

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Door-to-door scammers are selling new roofs with the panels and financing the junk to suckers. If your roof is more than 10 years old they really shouldn't be selling solar. You aren't even guaranteed to get a good roof, only one that takes payments.

Do not do it!!
 
Not to mention it costs $$ ($5K) to remove and reinstall solar if you're going to replace the shingles.

Squirrels love living under the panels.
 
Goldhedge said:
Not to mention it costs $$ ($5K) to remove and reinstall solar if you're going to replace the shingles.

Squirrels love living under the panels.
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If someone is going to put up solar panels...he'd be best off with a metal roof underneath.

I've never seen it - I don't know any homeowners with solar panels - but I know the habits of squirrels. They'll make nests in such a space - it's ideal for them, easy to base with twigs, it's got remote entrances...nice and restricted and secure. And all those tasty WIRES to chew on!

Squirrels are just rats with better PR. You can see it if you catch a squirrel in the early-morning or late-evening sunshine, light through the tail - under all that fluff is a rat's pink whip of a tail.
 
It gets very hot under solar panels. I actively participate in a solar forum and have never heard of nesting squirrels as being a problem.

Wires, tightly fastened on rails and then into metal conduit, are not much of a target for rodents. Sure it’s possible, but again, nobody I know of with solar solar is complaining about it
 
Viking said:
Where did you get that from?
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Guy who had squirrels living under the panels... there's about a 2" (?) gap under there... at least, that's what I've seen in these parts.
 
nickndfl said:
Dude, if you have time you should set up others for a fee. I would definitely consider it for my next home.
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This guy is great, he may give you the confidence to try it yourself.

I purchased my system from a local electrician. Great guy teaches at the local community college.

Original cost $22,000 after deductions (from my income tax) $8,200. Reached the ROI a few years back.
NYS and Uncle Sam were offering hard to turn down tax deductions. Many people were leasing systems but the company I contacted insisted the panels go on the roof. Too many downsides for me.
If contractors are offering leased roof installation near you then there's still money to be made. All the best!!

Steve

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My system is grid tied, meaning the meter turns backward in sunlight and forward at night. In other words the utility company acts like my battery. The power company and I square up once a year and they usually give me pennies on the dollar for the excess I generate.

Downside of this arrangment, if there's a blackout, I lose power. In the northeast where I live it doesn't make financial sense to your own battery bank and be fully independant. In a off grid solution the batteries are the most expensive part. In the sun belt off grid solutions are more common.

Screenshot 2023-09-29 172700.png
 
With an off-grid system you can by extra panels and have an EV. Then your EV is a car and a battery. Never by gas again.

And you can vote for democrats. LOL
 
foolsgold said:
My system is grid tied, meaning the meter turns backward in sunlight and forward at night. In other words the utility company acts like my battery. The power company and I square up once a year and they usually give me pennies on the dollar for the excess I generate.

Downside of this arrangment, if there's a blackout, I lose power. In the northeast where I live it doesn't make financial sense to your own battery bank and be fully independant. In a off grid solution the batteries are the most expensive part. In the sun belt off grid solutions are more common.

View attachment 10621
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Yep, unless you have lengthy blackouts often, a generator is the best (cheaper) option for a blackout over batteries.
 
I want one of those water wheel systems made from old washing machine parts that runs 24/7/365 when it's embedded in a creek. Except in the winter.
 
Viking said:
I’m building a place that will be completely off grid.
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Unless you're way out in the boonies I suggest making it possible to connect to the grid at some point in the future.

If you ever go to sell it, you'll be hard pressed to find a person with the mental acuity to understand how to run it.
 
You folks might enjoy this old thread where @DCFusor (RIP) talked about his solar set up:

www.pmbug.com

Main solar system upgrade

First sunny day since we finished, so I took a pic. The array is making something over 4kw at 11 am today, pretty much what my house uses plus what my Volt draws - it's keeping even with all that. Pretty cool! There are two more racks of panels to put up on another building behind this one...
www.pmbug.com www.pmbug.com
 
pmbug said:
You folks might enjoy this old thread where @DCFusor (RIP) talked about his solar set up:

www.pmbug.com

Main solar system upgrade

First sunny day since we finished, so I took a pic. The array is making something over 4kw at 11 am today, pretty much what my house uses plus what my Volt draws - it's keeping even with all that. Pretty cool! There are two more racks of panels to put up on another building behind this one...
www.pmbug.com www.pmbug.com
Click to expand...

Good stuff in the thread. Vids and some links work. Here's some links for anyone interested.

Coulter's Smithing

Projects DIY Physics Computers Hardware Software Chemistry
www.coultersmithing.com


 
Viking said:
It gets very hot under solar panels. I actively participate in a solar forum and have never heard of nesting squirrels as being a problem.

Wires, tightly fastened on rails and then into metal conduit, are not much of a target for rodents. Sure it’s possible, but again, nobody I know of with solar solar is complaining about it
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The dumb sh!t code where the panels are required a screen and mesh netting to prevent shock to humans. Turned out to be a great place for mice to nest and they chewed through some of the wires. The screen and the mesh netting are long gone.
 
Goldhedge said:
Unless you're way out in the boonies I suggest making it possible to connect to the grid at some point in the future.

If you ever go to sell it, you'll be hard pressed to find a person with the mental acuity to understand how to run it.
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Yes, two powerline poles with the last one having a transformer on it are in my yard. I will hook up during construction, but after that, I will disconnect. And I never plan on selling the place… perhaps my relatives will when they toss me into a nursing home or 6’ pit.
 
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