The Hands-on Guide to Solar Power Installation

The Hands-on Guide to Solar Power Installation

This book is about how to install a residential solar system yourself. It is oriented toward a “Do It Yourself” (DIY) way of thinking, and everything herein is indeed something you can personally do. If, after reading this book, you decide on a professional installation, knowledge gained will give you confidence regarding dealing with the installer. A self-installation is less expensive (typically half). You will also get a strong feeling that it is “yours”, that if something goes wrong down the line, you can deal with it with confidence. A very wide spectrum of system types and issues is dealt with in depth: grid-tie or battery-based? How big? What about the permitting process? What do all the pieces look like and what do they do? Can I mount solar panels on my roof without (much) help? (Yes) How do I deal with batteries? Can I use this system during power outages? Can I really wire all this stuff up? (Yes) So, if you would like to take on a solar system installation, but are feeling reluctant because of all the considerations and complexities you think might be involved, read this book. It will give you a clear picture of what you will have to do, take the mystique out of it, and allow you to make a more informed decision whether or not to embark on your possible adventure. Thomas Morrin holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering. He spent 18 years at IBM, working on the development of computer microchips. He then spent 12 years on the faculty of Saint Martin's University in the Computer Science department. As a post-career avocation, he has designed and installed a number of solar systems, and has delved into all aspects of solar in some depth.