Solar Home Installation: 24 Critical Steps – That Guarantees Your New Home “solar-ready "
"Even though I'm going to be short, sweet and to the point...The information that follows, remains none the less critical. That is of course – if a well planned home for a future solar home installation is important to you?”
When planning a new home you should make allowance in the design stage for solar home installation. This will save you the time, hassle and extra cost of retrofitting a house that has not allowed for easy solar power installation.
Even if you don't fit the home with solar power, and for whatever reason end up selling – your home will be easier to sell because it is “solar ready” and fetch a higher price as a result.
Planning For Perfection
* Plan the layout of the home as if you were going to install the solar equipment during the construction phase.
* Pay a local solar professional as a consultant to help with the process.
* Ensure plenty of free roof space for collectors and array.
* Make sure the various trades cooperate to avoid shading from chimneys, vents etc.
* Keep all wire and pipe end points well labeled .
* Clearly label the location of structural reinforcements.
* Make sure to install standoff mounts and racks before the final roofing material so that you are assured of proper flashing.
* Add detailed diagrams and notes to your homeowners manual indicating the future placement of solar equipment, including tanks, inverters, switches, arrays and collectors.
Preparing for PV
* Allow space for inverters and disconnects at the main service panel
* Ensure enough space in the main service panel to include a power input breaker.
* Install pre-wired or empty metal conduit from the roof to nearby the main service panel.
* Fit conduit between the inverter location and the main service panel.
Make sure your breaker box has enough space to include a double-pole 30 A breaker (with solar electric feed).
* Ensure you have enough available wall area to mount the inverter in the utility section of the house.
* Keep the distance of “wire run” from the solar array to inverter to a minimum.
* Fit an electric disconnect switch for the planned solar power system.
* Provide a copy of the electrical wiring notes and diagrams in the main electrical service panel.
* Put up a sign on the main service panel indicating the home being “SOLAR READY”
* Be sure to include the following info in the homeowners manual: Manufacturer’s literature, installer’s contact information, include system schematics, and all other important installation and maintenance information .
Preparing for Solar Water Heating
* Fit 3/4” copper pipe for cold and hot water between the roof and the designated area for the hot water storage tanks.
* Perform the installation so that the pipe is accessible from the top, place a dead end to the bottom for access when the solar equipment is installed – then insulate the pipe.
* Fit sensor wires if needed, parallel to the copper pipe and electrical cabling for a future pump if required.
* Ensure adequate space near the water heater for hot water tanks, valves, expansion tanks, pumps, heat exchangers and other necessary equipment.
* Remember to include the installation, manufacturer’s details, system schematics and all important maintenance and repair info in the homeowners manual.
Whether you intend living in your new home or selling it for profit, the fact remains – retrofitting solar equipment to an existing house is easier and less disruptive if the original owner makes the house solar-ready.
