Are there any companies that you can buy a complete roof mounted solar power package from?
by admin on Sunday, September 12th, 2010 | 2 Comments
I can install it myself, I just don’t want to have to go and find one part here another part here. I just want to buy the complete package.
Every installation is a little different, so when you buy a kit, it’s normal to make adjustments to it. For example, the kit may have L-brackets for mounting the rails, but if you have a tile roof, you will need standoffs. And depending on the shape of the installation area, the rails they supply may not be enough, or may be too much.
Also, the kit cannot know in advance how long your wiring needs to be, so you’ll have to get your wire and conduit on your own.
That said, there are a number of companies that sell kits. Here is one http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/c447/
and here is another http://partsonsale.com/solarhomekits.html
If you’re going to install yourself, I would really encourage you to understand the specs of each piece in the kit. If you have that level of knowledge, you could go out and buy your own components piece by piece. The basic pieces are the panels and inverter. The inverter will have a certain minimum and maximum input voltage and current, that must be met over the varying temperatures throughout the year in your area. That will drive the number and arrangement of the panels.
At the bottom of our family web page http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/roderick/solar/photovoltaic.html is a video of how we did our installation. If I were to do it over again, I would have used taller standoffs, and put the whole array in one big block. But such is life, a learning experience.
Roderick, thanks for the link to us.
The AltE Store has some small kits that are available as is, but we mostly make custom kits for people based on their requirements. We can design the whole system, including solar panels, mounting for your specific roof, inverter, wire, safety devices, the works. Most of our customers install the system themselves, but make sure you know what you are doing and that your local regulations allow you to do the work yourself. You may be required to hire an electrician for some of it.
We also sell solar water heating, a great bang for your buck solution.
We have a lot of educational videos for free on our website, and classes in Massachusetts to teach design and install.
Check us out at http://www.altestore.com/store/