Design Considerations

Roof Mount Vs Ground Mount

Roof Mount Pros & Cons

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vYonWMOvw4

Pros:

  • 20% cheaper installation

  • Fast Installation

  • Yard space is saved

Cons:

  • Harder to maintain solar panels

  • Will need to be removed for roof work.

  • Some Firefighters refuse to work on houses with solar due to shock hazard.

  • Panels can’t cool as well and won’t run as efficient.

  • Size is limited to the roof space available

  • Can only use the roof angle. Resulting in efficiency loss.

Ground Mount Pros & Cons

Pro’s:

  • Easier to maintain

  • Easier to expand

  • Improved air flow increasing efficiency

  • Can set it to the optimal angle resulting in up to 30% increase in efficiency.

Cons:

  • More expensive installation.

  • Installation takes a bit longer.

  • Takes more lawn space

Grid Tied Vs. Off Grid Vs. Hybrid Systems

Grid Tied

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pajmtcTTCJg

How Hybrids Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP7vx33IlNs

Pro’s:

  • No Batteries

  • Net metering

  • Cheaper

  • No energy wasted

Cons:

  • No power if the grid is down.

  • Some places don’t pay you much for the power.

  • More rules and limits when connecting to the grid.

Off Grid

Pro’s:

  • Great for solutions without access to the grid.

  • Provides power even if the grid is down.

  • The equipment isn’t as regulated.

Con’s:

  • More expensive due to the batteries. Need enough for the worst case situations.

Hybrid

Pro’s:

  • Net metering

  • Backup power when the grid is down.

  • Fewer batteries than the Off Grid system

  • No energy wasted

Con’s:

  • More complicated than Grid Tie

  • More expensive than Grid Tie

  • More expensive than Grid Tie

Part Category

Part Description:

What Size?:

Sizing Calculator Link: https://www.honeymilkhomestead.com/solar/solar-system-sizing-calculator

Part Category

Part Description:

How To Video:

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