If I had to guess, I would say that Vince has become the customer the solar companies do not want! Not only is he an engineer but he finds all the solar research interesting and he loves to learn everything he can learn and he asks a million questions. It seems that many folks don’t do that .. they take what the salesman tells them as the gospel and they don’t do their own research and find out why some things are being used and some things are not being used. Just as it is with most things, the least expensive option is not always the best option.
I don’t even know enough to tell you what’s going on now except that I think the statements below are at least 50% correct:
- We have a new electrician coming out today. We’ve used the same electrician since we’ve been here but he’s mostly doing commercial big jobs now and is terribly busy so we’re going with more of a residential type electrician. Our own electrician has to move some breakers in the box on the pole and he will have to do some prep work for hooking up the generator. The solar company’s electrician will do everything else.
- It looks like we’re now going with a company out of Austin. They’re using panels and inverters made in Austin. How’s that for keeping it all in Texas?
- We were going with a string inverter, which had been recommended by the first company. Vince has now decided that he wants to go with micro inverters. Both seem to have positives and negatives but he is leaning towards the micro inverters.
- We’ve totally changed the type of solar panels we’re using. We started out wanting one kind and now we want a different kind . . poly I think is what we want .. I don’t know what that means!
It truly is a very easy project. Slap some solar panels on the roof, nail them down, hook up some wires and call the electric company to inspect it all. If all goes well, it’s a one day job! The problem is the cost . . the cost has come way, way down in the past few years but it’s still terribly expensive so Vince is trying to make sure we get the best bang for the buck. It’s going to happy . . I think the current company said they can be here within a month!
All I know is . . I’m ready to get a “zero amount due” electric bill! For weeks and weeks, our evenings have been consumed with solar panel discussions and as you can see, most of it is not sinking in . . I’m knitting and nodding my head every now and then so he thinks I’m listening! 🙂
SaraF says
It’s so interesting to read along as you begin this solar process. From 1978-88 we lived on a farm, in a big old drafty house. In 1980 we built and installed one large solar panel and just used it to help offset our heating costs. Considering we live in a cold, windy state (SD) during the winter, we still cut down on our fuel oil consumption by almost 2/3. A huge savings for us, but the people that moved in after us removed it almost immediately.
Susan says
For you, the bottom line is getting it in and working and free electricity. For Vince, it’s a whole different bottom line. =) But you’ll both be happy in the end, so that’s what counts. I’ve found this all very interesting.
Sherrill says
OK, can you sign me up with Vince so he can do the research for me?!!! :-)) No, maybe not..I don’t think I can afford it. Oh well…..