DIY - 3kW Solar Panel System Installation - Step by Step

Budget 3kW Grid Tie Solar Panel System Installation With NEP Microinverters and K2 Systems Racking
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WANT TO GO SOLAR BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?

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Disclaimers:
This video is for information purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. Solar systems can and do involve dangerous electrical connections. If you do not have experience with electrical wiring, please seek professional support.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:47 Materials
06:00 Racking Install
10:38 Module Layout
13:00 Microinverter Install
15:33 PV Module Install
19:19 Final Roof Electrical
21:14 Shed Breaker Panel Wiring
25:44 AC Combiner Box
30:04 System Power UP!
33:03 Conclusion

[jvm]

Just a note: if you get a bucket of water, start your ground rod in the dirt, add water, ull rod back out, pour in water, shove the rod in and out a few times, pull rod out, pour in water, shove rod in, work it up and down, pull out, pour in water, and keep the process going. You'll be amazed how fast it will go down, even in hard dirt, without using a oat driver or sledge hammer.

[onlymise]

I'm a solar installer Ya did a great job pal very neat work ... Thank you from Dublin Ireland

[scottkolaya]

Excellent video. 32:12 Although the breaker is back-fed when it's turned on, the micro-inverter can't produce power on the terminal side if it's switched off. It's still good to mark it, but reason being, grid-tied microinverters only can amplify the grid's 60 hz signal. They do not have he capability of creating their own AC wave. You can think of them as a rudimentary 60hz audio amplifier being powered by the solar panels. That is how they stay "in sync" with the grid wave. They don't try to make their own 60hz and somehow keep that perfectly in sync.

[tomlampros]

One thing to consider: the areas of greatest uplift are along the edges and ridge of the roof. If possible, keep the array back from those edges ~12".

[Suburp]

Man, i hand installed 180 roof screws in a wooden roof by hand since my screw driver was not powerful enough to torque them in. Thiugh my ellbows would pop. Thanks for the video. Good to see.

[bentheguru]

Pre-drilling holes into wood is something of an art. Many drill too bigger hole to suit the wood in use. Softer woods like pine only need small hole aroun half diamter at max. Harder woods like pre-drill that matches the diamter of the thread shank. Wood screws squeeze out the wood and compress it to make strong thread bite.

[georgiabelle]

Another idea for driving the grounding rod: use a T-post driver. When you get close to the ground turn it upside down and keep pounding. It worked better for me than the hammer.

[DBRGB]

As this was a “grid tied system” the manner in which you made connections and gave instruction was excellent. One caution: whenever turning breakers on or off, one needs to have the panel box cover on and use your non-dominant hand to maneuver the breaker while your face should be turned away from the panel. This will ensure that, should the breaker fail and explode, you don’t lose your most needed hand, the explosion doesn’t damage your face, and you have a chance at surviving an explosion that would maim or kill you. Safety first. Otherwise, excellent video. Keep up the great informative work.

[OHSTN]

Absolutely outstanding. This was an incredibly educational video. I hope to be able to do the same thing after winter thanks for sharing and educating.

[retiredhandyman]

Incredible the work you have done Dave, and all by yourself. I encourage people to install solar panels. I already installed them through a company since I didn't dare to do it myself like you did and it was worth it. Greetings from Spain🙂

[fonvillefarms]

Here's a hint for grounding rods. Start off as deep as you can get it with without having to do a lot of work, add a little water around the grounding rod, wait 5 or 10 minutes and hammer it in some more, continue process until desire depth.

[donb]

Love the video's. But, did I see that correctly, you tied the ground rods from the shed to the ground rods of the house? I thought that was a big no-no.

[rubenberrios]

Well done 👍. Your video and insight just saved me thousands as I’m working on my own solar project. I’m grateful and wish you and your beautiful family the best. I have subscribed on your page and will be watching. All I need now is information on your vendor since I’m in Puerto Rico and prices here are unreasonable. Thanks again,
Rubén

[GEOsustainable]

What so many DIY'ers do is show every detail of how to bolt it down, and then glance over the electrical install because they don't REALLY understand electricity yet.
The creator is going to have to assure me I am not wasting my time before I finish watching this.
....I know how to bolt something down. What the world needs is a clear understanding of the electrical part.

[marcobrian]

Really interesting video on mounting your panels and grid tie inverters.
But your regs and UK regs are so different..
Hope you get the best out your system.

[bunnywarren]

I've got two sets of panels installed, one facing SW and the other NE. People have commented the NE set is pointless but on cloudy days there is so much diffraction in the clouds they both produce the same amount of power. That's why I got the NE set - cloudy days when the SW ones won't output enough.

[boxs]

If you are using Bi-facial panels it is better to leave a space between them to allow some light to pass through.

[adykapa]

DAVE, The most complete, comprehending presentation on youtube by far!!! Hat Down

[aaronodibo]

Hi Dave. My name is Aaron Odibo, am from Nigeria and i love what you are doing and am more inspired. I will like to follow you up and get to know things better

[chadmarkley]

Love your videos. You've been a major driver in me deciding to install my own 13kW system!!