dcg9381
Well-known member
I've done several residential solar installs (and solar hot water). Solar is not my "real job" but margins are high enough that I'll do a project every now and then just for the $$.
Caveat - I have a lot of experience in residential wiring and a degree in electrical stuff. You need to know what you're doing. If you don't - you can still save yourself some money by mounting panels, getting conduit and pull-tape in, and trying to find someone who will hook it all up per code.
Many jurisdictions will NOT let you self-install. Period. So YMMV.
And in jurisdictions that will - the rules can be funky. I'm still required to do a physical disconnect of the array, even though inverter technology has evolved and NEC supports and allows "rapid shutdown" boxes. Some jurisdictions require lightening arrestors, etc.
Anyway - getting to cost.
For a 6KW system, 20 panels, 6KW inverter, rapid shutdown, appropriate racks - $9000 (before tax credits). I'll need to add conduit, some electrical wire, and some minor hardware. If I was to install this system for someone - and do it ground mount (I don't won't do roof penetrations for customers) - I'd charge between $5000-$6500 for new construction where I have access to all the electrical before the walls go up. And at that price, I'd have work all day long - it's 20-30% under other installers.
My utility does meter crediting, so I'm not looking to produce excess power - just reduce my overall consumption. My payback will be around 11 years at DIY rates - but power is relatively cheap around here.
Caveat - I have a lot of experience in residential wiring and a degree in electrical stuff. You need to know what you're doing. If you don't - you can still save yourself some money by mounting panels, getting conduit and pull-tape in, and trying to find someone who will hook it all up per code.
Many jurisdictions will NOT let you self-install. Period. So YMMV.
And in jurisdictions that will - the rules can be funky. I'm still required to do a physical disconnect of the array, even though inverter technology has evolved and NEC supports and allows "rapid shutdown" boxes. Some jurisdictions require lightening arrestors, etc.
Anyway - getting to cost.
For a 6KW system, 20 panels, 6KW inverter, rapid shutdown, appropriate racks - $9000 (before tax credits). I'll need to add conduit, some electrical wire, and some minor hardware. If I was to install this system for someone - and do it ground mount (I don't won't do roof penetrations for customers) - I'd charge between $5000-$6500 for new construction where I have access to all the electrical before the walls go up. And at that price, I'd have work all day long - it's 20-30% under other installers.
My utility does meter crediting, so I'm not looking to produce excess power - just reduce my overall consumption. My payback will be around 11 years at DIY rates - but power is relatively cheap around here.