Solar Panel Install - Net Metering and the application for an Interconnection.

During this process I have learned a lot about what it takes to deal with the power company, their responsibilities and their HOLD on energy and the money that is generated from PROVIDING Energy. SO in order to get off their power.....you have to file an Application to attain "qualifying facility status". I don't know all the details but I can read and rather than reproduce all the Blah Blah Blah of their site I will post the link here for DUKE energy. Your Power Company may have something different. 

https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/renewable-energy/generate-your-own/net-metering

There are basically multiple type of facilities and for this blog I am only talking about the one type I fall into. I am considered a Type II facility that Generates from 10-100KW. Since I generate 16KW. that is where I am. https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/renewable-energy/generate-your-own 

So I had to submit for a "INTERCONNECTION" and that is processed through Solar Bear and then once they have finished it they submit to DUKE.....then DUKE sends out an Email to have me Electronically sign the Document and then it is sent to DUKE for them to be approved and then scheduled the Inspection. 

So here we are, Duke Comes out inspects that I do not exceed 90% of my power panel capacity, and that I have a properly installed disconnect. which has already been inspected by the city so it should be quick and easy. THEN they will install a different meter and I am online. 

I am currently waiting on the Application to DUKE to be approved and for the Duke Inspector to come out.  

Solar Panel Install - Putting em on the roof.

 Now the day has come to install the Solar Panels. The guys arrive with all the stuff and it only takes a Day to get them up there. 

Everything Arrived

Mounting Brackets

Mounting Beams

Place all the Mounting Brackets. One thing to note is that the ORGINAL DESIGN when sold does not always account for VENTS, PIPES, FANS or other items on the roof. My Original Was 25 Front 25 Back. BUT Ended up 28 Front 22 Back. 

More Mounting Brackets. Yes they are mounted to the roof into the studs under the roofing. AND Sealed. Solar Bear is a ROOFING Company in addition to a Solar Company to allow them the understanding of ROOF construction and the impact they are doing to your ROOF. Solar Bear also provides an additional 10 year No Leak Warranty for our roof. 

There are a lot of Brackets. 

Front and back Brackets

Panels getting ready to be mounted. 

Panels getting ready in the back

Panels being laid out and wired. 

Panels are laid out and spaced correctly. 

There are a LOT of extra electrical boxes that are part of the SOLAR SYSTEM. Disconnects and interconnects and Solare Power Panel boxes. 

Panels being Laid out on the roof and installed. 

Ultimately there are a Lot of panels that will be going on your Roof, ours is a 16kw system and it is A LOT of panels 50 to be exact. As you can see we have a low angle roof so our panels kinda blend with the roof and we have had people that do not notice them. 

There is one important unforeseen benefit that the salesmen never even mentioned. It is the fact that the panels are now acting as a BARRIER to your roof from the beating rays of the SUN. They are up there as almost a Second Skin on the roof and the spacing between the panels and the roof acts as an additional layer of insulation from the roof. What does this mean. Well after two days I walked into my garage and it was NOTICEABLY cooler. I had an Air Conditioner service come by to check on my new AC system and he thought it was so cool in our garage that we had AC in it. I told him no it was the Solar Panels absorbing the heat and keeping the Garage and Attic way cooler than they had been before. 

Now everything is INSTALLED and there are three more things to happen. 

NEXT STEP. Electrical Wiring and hook up to our power panel. 

NEXT STEP. Electrical Wiring Inspection by permit agency (city County etc...)

LAST STEP. Power company comes out inspects the system and does the full switch over of the electrical System  which is also when they will install the NET METER and the Solar Bear team will come and show how to check and monitor the system using the app.