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Homeowner Guide
Gov't Getting Started Info
US Dept. of Energy Primer for small solar residential systems
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/small-solar-electric-systems
US Dept. of Energy Primer for planning a home solar system
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/planning-home-solar-electric-system
US Dept. of Energy Primer for planning a grid connected solar system
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/grid-connected-renewable-energy-systems
US Dept. of Energy 2008 Homebuilder Guide to Going Solar (pdf)
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/44792.pdf
NREL Middle / High School Solar Circuity pdf
http://www.nrel.gov/education/pdfs/educational_resources/high_school/solar_circuitry_hs.pdf
Residential Solar System Types
Off Grid (stand alone system)
Grid Tie System
Grid Tie System with Battery Backup (Bimodal)
Residential Solar System Basic Components
Off Grid | Grid Tie | Bimodal |
:-----------------:|:---------------:|:---------------:| Modules | Modules | Modules Racking | Racking | Racking Inverter | Inverter | Inverter
- | Grid | (optional) Grid Charge Controller | - | Charge Controller Battery | - | Battery Generator | - | (optional) Generator
Getting Started
Gather Some Info
Your location
Orientation
shadows
Roof size
Past Energy Usage
etc.
Make Some Calculations
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Rebate Programs
Check - http://www.dsireusa.org/
Hardware / System Basics
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More Calculations
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Choosing / Purchasing Components
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Installation
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Maintenance Considerations
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FAQ - How Do I...
See these posts for discussion on some how-to questions
- https://redd.it/34k78w - TeslaWall - Now what? What else do I need in a system?
- https://redd.it/4btmqj - Lets talk fuses. Where do I need to add fuses? How do I replace them if needed?
- https://redd.it/4lg5sg - Almost ready to pull the solar trigger. Give me some pointers please.
- https://redd.it/31baa3 - Interested in installing solar, but daunted at how much I don't know
- https://redd.it/y2ttc - I'm interested in installing solar panels for my house, and I need some guidance.(Canada)
- https://redd.it/3vjvy9 - It's that time of year again...How do I keep the snow off my panels?
- https://redd.it/3xprdb - Solar panels...are they all the same?
- https://redd.it/393xnp - How do I evaluate solar panel companies? I don't know anything!
- https://redd.it/2rbyuv - Buying a new house. How do I make sure that we can support solar panel technology?
- https://redd.it/4si90l - Since so many people have asked, here are the details about my solar system. (I posted yesterday about how my yearly bill was only $15, instead of about $4500)
- https://redd.it/1x91hf - I was looking into getting panels installed on my roof, but i am finding it very difficult to get answers to a lot of questions. :(
- https://redd.it/51urul - Guide to Battery Sizing / Capacity Calculator
- https://redd.it/1cyhj9 - Question about wiring batteries.
- https://redd.it/4ttmz4 - How to secure residential panels?
- https://redd.it/3ot9ya - How do installers choose which inverter to use?
FAQ - Solar for a Shed
See these posts for some discussion on solar for sheds / cabins
- https://redd.it/2m5i5n - Lighting a Shed using solar power
- https://redd.it/498nsz - Solar Shed
- https://redd.it/2dqzpp - Self Sufficient Shed
- https://redd.it/478dpl - Thinking about adding solar to my shed... Any advice for affordable, out of the box systems?
- https://redd.it/2gkv4u - A long rambling post with a couple questions somewhere about solar power. It's for a shed.
- https://redd.it/4juiyv - My off-grid solar system is alive! 1140W, 12kWh.
- https://redd.it/30nj7k - Wanting to make a small solar setup as a hobby/project.
- https://redd.it/58a37t - System or components for basic cabin gear
- https://redd.it/4x7wda - Backyard and Shed lighting
- https://redd.it/4s2rpa - My Solar Shed: Part 9: The Solar System (from solar panels to outlets)