Roofing / Solar Panels
I may be re-doing the roof on my 20′ 0″ x 45′ 0″ brownstone this year. If I do, I’ll be looking to incorporate provisions for future installation of solar panels. Is there anybody out there who’s done this, or who already has panels and retrofitted existing roofing to provide the panel supports? Do the…
I may be re-doing the roof on my 20′ 0″ x 45′ 0″ brownstone this year. If I do, I’ll be looking to incorporate provisions for future installation of solar panels. Is there anybody out there who’s done this, or who already has panels and retrofitted existing roofing to provide the panel supports? Do the supports comprise posts coming up from the joists, through the roofing, with pitch pockets or flashings at each post or is it done via steel beams spanning between the party wall parapets? If the former, did you have to reinforce the existing roof joists? Any advice and insight would be much appreciated as would recommendations for solar installers that are based on actual experience.
Thanks.
Sorry, it was a typo. It should have read 200W. For a 2KW system you would need around 11 panels of 200W as you get around 10% loss’s in the invertor and asociated cabling.
Regarding the availible grants, this is calculated on a per project basis, depending on the size of the system, how much sunlight the system will receive etc. The approved designers get the rebate (or initial grant) from NYSERDA, not you the customer, you just get a cheaper price for design and installation and the tax deductibles once installed.
Johnife is correct with the stated life expectancies but you would never get these figures under waranty, more like 15 to 20 years.
“on going tax rebates and start up grants which will pay approximately 50% of the initial cost of the system”
Is that 50% of the cost of the panels, or of all the materials needed to set up a system, or of all that and installation by approved licensed designer and installer?
1:29,
From FAQs on a solar info site:
“How long do solar panels last?
For a long time: solar panels carry 20-25 year warranties, with life expectancies of 40+ years.
What if there’s a hailstorm? Can the solar panels withstand hail?
Solar electric panels are built with high-impact tempered glass. The solar industry standard dictates that panels should be able to withstand 3/4†hail at 60 mph. One of our solar PV panel manufacturers even performs tests by shooting ice cubes at their panels at 140 mph. If your solar panels do suffer any hail damage, you can claim the damage via your homeowner’s insurance policy.”
Yeah, I think it was a typo; should have said 200W.
What is the ‘life cycle’ of photo-voltaic panels, anyone?
Any thoughts about potential vandalism?
“each panel is rated at around 200 kW. Under the NY PSC, you are limited to a maximum size of 10 kW for residential system”
Huh? Did I read that wrong or does that say that You are limited to only 5% of what they are rated?
Johnife is correct, you cannot just go out and purchase / install the photovoltaic system yourself, you need to use a NYSERDA licensed designer and installer. Con Edison may cut your supply if you do it yourself as the system is tested by them for safe operation. Using NYSERDA is also the only way you can get the on going tax rebates and start up grants which will pay approximately 50% of the initial cost of the system (thus making it cost effective). The panels alone will cost you approx $1000 each, depending on type, each panel is rated at around 200 kW. Under the NY PSC, you are limited to a maximum size of 10 kW for residential system, net metered is what Con Edison calls the “backwards-running meter” scenario.
There are also several different ways of fixing the panels to your roof. Many systems for flat roofs utilize a floating raft system and ballast weights, therefore no need for any penetration of the roof itself.
Other things to consider are, the photovoltaics should be South facing and not shaded – direct access to sunlight during daylight hours. You may require a structural survey of your roof. You will need to have room availible for the invertor unit and you will also require a lockable fused disconnect switch within 10 ft of the Con Ed meter.
A Dispersed Generation Engineer!!
10:21,
If by, “leads for more economical panel sources” you mean that your intention would be to acquire the panels and do the installation yourself, I don’t think that’s on the cards. In order to get the benefit of the tax rebates and/or tax credits and to be hooked up to the Con-Ed meter so that you get the benefit of the “backwards-running meter” scenario when your using less power than you’re producing, I’m pretty sure the entire package has to be bought from a firm that is licensed by the State for photo voltaic installations.
Smoky Chimp, I had been doing some research on solar panels and my overall impression (and disappointment) was that unless significant unscreended south facing square footage were obtained the gain wouldn’t justify the cost. It seemed like the payback period for other orientations would approach the life cycle of the panels. The panels were also quite expensive. Do you know of any good links or books for furthering my research? Also any leads for more economical panel sourceswould be appreciated.