💯 agreed! Build my our system 2 yrs ago. In 2 yrs so much progress in the mpp is crazy. More capacities now and less parts to add since everything is in the inverter (solar switch, breakers etc). It is so easy to install a solar system now!
Really like all your solar vids. All are practical and "move along" without getting unnecessarily bogged down. YT spun a new-to-me channel into my feed. It's small 8< subscribers. I think his DC direct to application video from today is a great compliment to your vids. *REAL* grid down applications for situations when inverters and regulators no longer work. Just wanted to share as most subs here might benefit. Whoops! Forgot his YT channel: " Solar Power Edge"
We live in KY and got scammed. I’m definitely going to try to learn as much as I can to use what equipment I do have and then add to. I’ve always wanted solar. We purchased from a company. Never even received a battery system. We went into debt for this system. Since then, we’ve moved to our new homestead and brought what we do have to our new home. I will definitely be utilizing your videos to help! Thanks!
Oh no. I am sorry you have gone through this. It is becoming more and more common. Let me know if you have any questions once you start installing your system.
We got scammed by Sunrun this guy is right do a small system like he has and build up, we move back to our land that is what I want to do just want enough to keep living room with power and the kitchen enough to run TV, internet and refrigerator and stove first then work on the rest
Signature Solar is the BEST. I live in Puerto Rico. I purchased a battery to be shipped to me in Puerto Rico.. Well packed. Great customer service and quality products.
From FLorida, you diffently need it with all them storms coming though, got a family member who lives there she said when a storm comes up it is really hard for her to be without power but she rents and cannot get solar panels
Building your on system isn't difficult, and you just might learn something. I've bought plenty of stuff from Signature Solar, would recommend. Installing one of their mini-splits in the next week or two.
I followed you from your very first solar build video. You gave me inspiration that I can do this. My 27kw solar array going to 32kw 7:49 eg4 inverters with 1160 amp hr of LifePo4 battery storage system is almost finished (20 month DIY). Thanks for all your videos and encouragement!!!
Great video and great service to the community and beyond. From other channels the banks are a big part of the solar problems as the have raised the equipment loan rates to contractors from 7% to 30% putting more contractors out of business. Another reason for DIY. I am looking forward to Solar Edge and their bi-directional chargers by the end of 2024. Using EV's big batteries will be interesting addition especially for business leasing and handing them back every three years. How will the deal with that? 😮😊
I started my solar journey when I was living in AZ, had a few local companies in Navajo county come out and give me estimates. They were either insanely expensive or wouldn't even do the work if I just wanted them to run conduit or some other small part of the installation. Even electricians wouldn't just run conduit for me, so I was forced to do it myself. You would think AZ would be a solar friendly state, but no, my local city (Show Low) put up road block upon road block when I tried to do it myself, seems like they were anti solar IMHO. So I moved back to FL and was able to do it myself and save tons of money and my system will pay for itself in 10 or less years. Thanks to this channel and a few others dedicated to solar I was able to learn and now I can setup just about any solar system to suit my needs :)
You are MUCH more kind than I am... last month, I too decided to diy my system after coming to the conclusion that solar companies are even more disreputable than even ROOFERS! Granted, I do know of one good roofer, and I THOUGHT I had found a good solar company, but when they tried to tell me I needed stamped drawings from a structural engineer when I live in an unincorporated area, I know they had gone off the rails. I too found Signature Solar (though my experience with them has been DISTINCTLY different than yours), ended up getting the EG4 18k, it was delivered last week. If you don't mind, could I possibly pick your brain directly if needed? I'm over on the west side of DFW out in the country. Thanks in advance, Scott
Don't know how far you are from DFW "out west," but I am in between Ft Worth and Dallas . I have been getting into this solar stuff for about 9 months and am now addicted. 😢 I have put in 3 different systems now, one at my shop, and two at my house. I am still experimenting at my house on the final setup. House: 6000xp and 4k in PV, 30kwh in batteries on a stand alone shed. Two Anker Solix F3800's with extra batteries on my critical loads panel. The experimental part is trying to decide how to best use all the components to lower my light bill.
I'm an electrician and here's some things you can also do. 1. The contract you sign should benefit you. 2. Require an inspection from a third party that you choose. 3. If DYI then again get an inspection afterwards.
1. The house is too close to the trees and has too much shade. 2. I do not want 400 holes in my roof. 3. The ground mount is at a better angle for my latitude.
I was recently quoted 86500 for a system I spent 30000 on, crooks. All in one inverter's, are simple to hook up, or do all you are comfortable with and hire an electrician for an hour. If you watch enough install videos you can install your own easily from memory. Step 1, size the system to work in all conditions, oversize your inverter to allow upgrades. I started with 18 panels 8370w and upgrading to 12+kw, battery at 48kw but can increase to 96kw. If upgrades work, then 2400+ watts through full overcast. Expecting 3kw+ when the snow sticks again.
Do not do any big companies, We brought a house that had solar panels than had to pay them we took over the lease then we sold the house no one would buy it had to pay the whole thing off, like your small solar panel array do that have a good handyman to help you and just add on a little at a time
We got a grid tied system and wished now that we had gotten the battery backup to allow us the ability to switch over if the grid went down. Is there any videos out there showing how that switch could be done by us?
I haven’t seen any that make the switch. Unfortunately, your inverters may not support batteries if they are only pure grid tied inverters. That means you may have to switch those out.
From 8/2023 to 8/2024 I only used 1178KW for the year. high months 1500 to 2K low months like 500-900. if I did math right, do I only need 8-10 solar panels?
Great video. I agree on almost all points--except that net metering at 1-for-1 cannot work in the long run. It the short run, it has been vital in getting rooftop solar going in California (and elsewhere) at scale, but the utility companies cannot continue to pay for electricity at the cost they charge (up to 24 cents a kilowatt in California) when they can purchase it from other generators for maybe 4 cents or 6 cents a kilowatt. Other ratepayers have to make up the difference.
I regret the 75k I wasted…. Need to figure a way to add these eg4 system and batteries. Probably would save my investment that way. Currently paying a loan and an electric bill.
Anyone in central Florida that can update eg4 batteries. Ordered a system and it's been a nightmare. Solar panels was no problem but batteries and communication with the inverter has been terrible.
I know high power wires can cause lupus because of the radiation coming off of them. Have you tested how much radiation is coming off the high power wire and the solar panels. I have heard the bottom side of the Solar panels give off radiation. I don't want to put any solar panels on my roof if they are giving off radiation. Have you ever done any testing on this and if so, what was your findings?
Everything you mention is not radioactive. They do emit EMF Electro magnetic frequencies. Get you a small handheld AM radio, fresh batteries and dial in a quiet spot on the frequency's. Now you can go around your house and check everything, led lights, TV's, microwave ovens, fluorescent lamps Neon lamps Under a power line? I don't know how close you can get to the wire to hear.
@@hadleymanmusic EMF is a form of radiation but that is neither here or there. I do not want to discourage anyone with my questions from getting a solar system so, I just sent you an email. Thanks for a quick reply.
@StandForFreedom1776 the sun gives off constant radiation which hits you every day. How do you protect against that? How do you protect your roof against it?
@@CountryLivingExperience the problem is that it’s nearly impossible to determine which ones are good and which ones are bad. Doing it yourself is about the only realistic answer.
Our electric company (and others) have a "line maintenance fee". This fee is to be "fair to the neighbors" that do not have solar. Billed to you monthly based on generative capacity, our's would be $5.41 per kw of solar array. So, with a 30kw array, the fee would be $162.30 per month and this would be applied to you ,so that you do not make you neighbors bill go up! The idea being that you're connected to the very expensive grid, that has to be maintained, and the utility company wants to ensure that you pay your fair share. READ THE FINE PRiINT! The utility companies that do this is on the rise. Also, once you install a battery, the company will not net meter, at all. So we dropped the grid completely. Bad program. I am convince that a desire to "industrialize" solar production rules the road and autonomous individuals are frowned upon.
Where? I've been trying to get solar set up since before the greener homes program finished and I still can't find a system with a payoff period less than 20 years.
I believe that solar and wind power should be BANNED from the grid. They are bad for the steady energy systems and add unnecessary cost to the grid. Totally off grid systems are good for home power independence. Can solar power be protected to any degree from EMP or CME?
Thanks to your old president it’s gonna cost you big money going solar over the next decade! The world is going to leave USA oil dependant until 2050. Until you can catch up you solar is going to become very expensive as demand outstrips supply!
Don’t buy your own stuff and expect anyone(qualified) to put it in for you, in ANY industry, why would they want to do that when you most likely bought the wrong stuff, then when it doesn’t work perfectly you say it’s their fault 😂 When they would have most likely got you the right stuff, installed it correctly and never got that call… Don’t need that type of business
💯 agreed! Build my our system 2 yrs ago. In 2 yrs so much progress in the mpp is crazy. More capacities now and less parts to add since everything is in the inverter (solar switch, breakers etc). It is so easy to install a solar system now!
You are so fortunate to have Signature Solar nearby. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. It’s a blessing for sure.
Thanks Eric, blessings and Happy Father's Day ❤
Thank you
Really like all your solar vids.
All are practical and "move along" without getting unnecessarily bogged down.
YT spun a new-to-me channel into my feed. It's small 8< subscribers.
I think his DC direct to application video from today is a great compliment to your vids. *REAL* grid down applications for situations when inverters and regulators no longer work.
Just wanted to share as most subs here might benefit.
Whoops! Forgot his YT channel:
" Solar Power Edge"
Thanks Will. I appreciate it. I will go check out his video.
We live in KY and got scammed. I’m definitely going to try to learn as much as I can to use what equipment I do have and then add to. I’ve always wanted solar. We purchased from a company. Never even received a battery system. We went into debt for this system. Since then, we’ve moved to our new homestead and brought what we do have to our new home. I will definitely be utilizing your videos to help! Thanks!
Oh no. I am sorry you have gone through this. It is becoming more and more common. Let me know if you have any questions once you start installing your system.
@@CountryLivingExperience thank you so much! That means more to me than you know!
We got scammed by Sunrun this guy is right do a small system like he has and build up, we move back to our land that is what I want to do just want enough to keep living room with power and the kitchen enough to run TV, internet and refrigerator and stove first then work on the rest
Signature Solar is the BEST. I live in Puerto Rico. I purchased a battery to be shipped to me in Puerto Rico.. Well packed. Great customer service and quality products.
Awesome!
From FLorida, you diffently need it with all them storms coming though, got a family member who lives there she said when a storm comes up it is really hard for her to be without power but she rents and cannot get solar panels
DIY Thumbs up 👍
I never considered not putting it on the roof. This is a good idea.!!!
And way better for your roof.
Solar panels have EMF also so away from the house is best
Building your on system isn't difficult, and you just might learn something. I've bought plenty of stuff from Signature Solar, would recommend. Installing one of their mini-splits in the next week or two.
know that I can figure out how to do it I can, but I'm 63 with Parkinson Disease, I have a good handyman that helps us,
I followed you from your very first solar build video. You gave me inspiration that I can do this. My 27kw solar array going to 32kw 7:49 eg4 inverters with 1160 amp hr of LifePo4 battery storage system is almost finished (20 month DIY). Thanks for all your videos and encouragement!!!
You’re welcome! I am very happy to help! So glad you got almost everything set up. Can’t wait to hear from you when you fire it up.
As always love the solar content. Happy Father's Day
I appreciate it. Happy Father's Day
Great video and great service to the community and beyond. From other channels the banks are a big part of the solar problems as the have raised the equipment loan rates to contractors from 7% to 30% putting more contractors out of business. Another reason for DIY. I am looking forward to Solar Edge and their bi-directional chargers by the end of 2024. Using EV's big batteries will be interesting addition especially for business leasing and handing them back every three years. How will the deal with that? 😮😊
Glad it was helpful
Don't you have dirty electricity from the inverter?
Good to see you back happy Fathers day.
Thanks. Happy Father’s Day to you as well.
I’ve been around. Seems like TH-cam is suppressing some of my vids so they aren’t getting out.
@@CountryLivingExperience I Think YT is doing that.
I started my solar journey when I was living in AZ, had a few local companies in Navajo county come out and give me estimates. They were either insanely expensive or wouldn't even do the work if I just wanted them to run conduit or some other small part of the installation. Even electricians wouldn't just run conduit for me, so I was forced to do it myself. You would think AZ would be a solar friendly state, but no, my local city (Show Low) put up road block upon road block when I tried to do it myself, seems like they were anti solar IMHO. So I moved back to FL and was able to do it myself and save tons of money and my system will pay for itself in 10 or less years. Thanks to this channel and a few others dedicated to solar I was able to learn and now I can setup just about any solar system to suit my needs :)
Crazy they were not more supportive in AZ.
So glad we were able to help you with our videos.
You are MUCH more kind than I am... last month, I too decided to diy my system after coming to the conclusion that solar companies are even more disreputable than even ROOFERS!
Granted, I do know of one good roofer, and I THOUGHT I had found a good solar company, but when they tried to tell me I needed stamped drawings from a structural engineer when I live in an unincorporated area, I know they had gone off the rails.
I too found Signature Solar (though my experience with them has been DISTINCTLY different than yours), ended up getting the EG4 18k, it was delivered last week. If you don't mind, could I possibly pick your brain directly if needed? I'm over on the west side of DFW out in the country.
Thanks in advance,
Scott
I am happy to help you where I can. You can email me at the channel email address if you want to have a longer conversation.
Don't know how far you are from DFW "out west," but I am in between Ft Worth and Dallas .
I have been getting into this solar stuff for about 9 months and am now addicted. 😢
I have put in 3 different systems now, one at my shop, and two at my house.
I am still experimenting at my house on the final setup.
House: 6000xp and 4k in PV, 30kwh in batteries on a stand alone shed.
Two Anker Solix F3800's with extra batteries on my critical loads panel.
The experimental part is trying to decide how to best use all the components to lower my light bill.
Do it yourself, fix it and modify it yourself plus look after it. I've seen moss growing on panels because the people just left it after installation.
Exactly. They will leave and forget you
I'm an electrician and here's some things you can also do.
1. The contract you sign should benefit you.
2. Require an inspection from a third party that you choose.
3. If DYI then again get an inspection afterwards.
Hi, why u not install the panels at the roof of your house? it's same direction
1. The house is too close to the trees and has too much shade.
2. I do not want 400 holes in my roof.
3. The ground mount is at a better angle for my latitude.
I was recently quoted 86500 for a system I spent 30000 on, crooks. All in one inverter's, are simple to hook up, or do all you are comfortable with and hire an electrician for an hour.
If you watch enough install videos you can install your own easily from memory. Step 1, size the system to work in all conditions, oversize your inverter to allow upgrades. I started with 18 panels 8370w and upgrading to 12+kw, battery at 48kw but can increase to 96kw. If upgrades work, then 2400+ watts through full overcast. Expecting 3kw+ when the snow sticks again.
Wow, that is highway robbery for sure.
DIY is the way to go.
4:55 Definitely how I would do it.
Yep. This is a good option for many.
Great video. Thank you
Thank you
TY for sharing!!
My pleasure
Do not do any big companies, We brought a house that had solar panels than had to pay them we took over the lease then we sold the house no one would buy it had to pay the whole thing off, like your small solar panel array do that have a good handyman to help you and just add on a little at a time
Main house (new construction) was done by professionals. The other systems we did ourselves.
"Run the conduit" this is another point of common overcharging. Where is conduit and wireways required, vs just to look "professional "
We got a grid tied system and wished now that we had gotten the battery backup to allow us the ability to switch over if the grid went down. Is there any videos out there showing how that switch could be done by us?
I haven’t seen any that make the switch. Unfortunately, your inverters may not support batteries if they are only pure grid tied inverters. That means you may have to switch those out.
Neighbor has roof mounted and needs to replace the roof. Installers don’t return his calls.
Yep. Happens a lot. Ground mounts are the way to go.
From 8/2023 to 8/2024 I only used 1178KW for the year. high months 1500 to 2K low months like 500-900. if I did math right, do I only need 8-10 solar panels?
That’s not correct. This video might help….th-cam.com/video/BKRraTpBnGo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TkgvrvoC5rd1ttie
Great video. I agree on almost all points--except that net metering at 1-for-1 cannot work in the long run. It the short run, it has been vital in getting rooftop solar going in California (and elsewhere) at scale, but the utility companies cannot continue to pay for electricity at the cost they charge (up to 24 cents a kilowatt in California) when they can purchase it from other generators for maybe 4 cents or 6 cents a kilowatt. Other ratepayers have to make up the difference.
I regret the 75k I wasted…. Need to figure a way to add these eg4 system and batteries. Probably would save my investment that way. Currently paying a loan and an electric bill.
Oh no. That is a big investment. Hope you can get it sorted out.
Anyone in central Florida that can update eg4 batteries. Ordered a system and it's been a nightmare. Solar panels was no problem but batteries and communication with the inverter has been terrible.
As long as you have the correct cable, it should be easy to update them.
You also need to have a newer computer with a compatible operating system.
I know high power wires can cause lupus because of the radiation coming off of them. Have you tested how much radiation is coming off the high power wire and the solar panels. I have heard the bottom side of the Solar panels give off radiation. I don't want to put any solar panels on my roof if they are giving off radiation. Have you ever done any testing on this and if so, what was your findings?
Everything you mention is not radioactive.
They do emit EMF
Electro magnetic frequencies.
Get you a small handheld AM radio, fresh batteries and dial in a quiet spot on the frequency's.
Now you can go around your house and check everything, led lights, TV's, microwave ovens, fluorescent lamps
Neon lamps
Under a power line?
I don't know how close you can get to the wire to hear.
@@hadleymanmusic EMF is a form of radiation but that is neither here or there. I do not want to discourage anyone with my questions from getting a solar system so, I just sent you an email. Thanks for a quick reply.
@StandForFreedom1776 the sun gives off constant radiation which hits you every day. How do you protect against that? How do you protect your roof against it?
Maybe Signature Solar has gotten better at responding after the sale.
They’ve added about 150 new staff members in the last year. They have.
I can't do it myself. I am 70 year old female.
I think you mean 100% - 200% more.
If you found 200%, that is astronomically insane.
@@CountryLivingExperience Most turnkey installs are >$3/w. Easily >3x more than DIY.
By some predatory companies out there, do you mean most of them?
There are still many good ones.
@@CountryLivingExperience the problem is that it’s nearly impossible to determine which ones are good and which ones are bad. Doing it yourself is about the only realistic answer.
I understand. I agree.
Our electric company (and others) have a "line maintenance fee". This fee is to be "fair to the neighbors" that do not have solar. Billed to you monthly based on generative capacity, our's would be $5.41 per kw of solar array. So, with a 30kw array, the fee would be $162.30 per month and this would be applied to you ,so that you do not make you neighbors bill go up! The idea being that you're connected to the very expensive grid, that has to be maintained, and the utility company wants to ensure that you pay your fair share. READ THE FINE PRiINT! The utility companies that do this is on the rise. Also, once you install a battery, the company will not net meter, at all. So we dropped the grid completely. Bad program. I am convince that a desire to "industrialize" solar production rules the road and autonomous individuals are frowned upon.
That is insane. The are such crooks. Glad you dropped the grid.
There is a massive solar crash in Canada with the tax incentives ending. Down to $0.50/watt now
Wow! Awesome
Where? I've been trying to get solar set up since before the greener homes program finished and I still can't find a system with a payoff period less than 20 years.
I believe that solar and wind power should be BANNED from the grid. They are bad for the steady energy systems and add unnecessary cost to the grid. Totally off grid systems are good for home power independence. Can solar power be protected to any degree from EMP or CME?
I can agree with that. As for emp, there are some shield for inverters, etc. I am not sure how they are tested though.
Thanks to your old president it’s gonna cost you big money going solar over the next decade! The world is going to leave USA oil dependant until 2050. Until you can catch up you solar is going to become very expensive as demand outstrips supply!
I totally understand. I just did a video on that topic last week.
Don’t buy your own stuff and expect anyone(qualified) to put it in for you, in ANY industry, why would they want to do that when you most likely bought the wrong stuff, then when it doesn’t work perfectly you say it’s their fault 😂
When they would have most likely got you the right stuff, installed it correctly and never got that call…
Don’t need that type of business
There is plenty of real work
blah, blah, blah...
Whining is not allowed on my channel
Is that main rack a Sinclair?
Nope. It is a Powers Solar frame. They are out of Arizona.