DIY or use a solar pro? That’s a question many homeowners have. If you buy a product, you can do whatever you want with what you buy. Some people are able to change the oil in their automobile. But can they take apart the engine and put it back together? I believe the same is with purchasing and installing a PV system for your home. You shouldn’t attempt any kind of installation of a solar powered system. And I’ll tell you why.
I don’t understand why someone would choose the option of installing it themselves. Where I live, you must have a licensed electrical contractor to install it. But you know there are always electricians who will sell themselves for $1. That is unfortunately a bad thing. PV installations and all its codes are listed in the National Electric Code (NEC) book which electricians must follow.
According to the Home Power Magazine (October-November 2011) issue, there is an article that addresses this question. It says,
“Installation of most PV systems is usually better left to the pros.”
I agree with that. The learning and schooling that I had for solar as well as my 30 years as an electrician has also taught me that there is a lot to be learned, especially in installing solar systems. Going to school and learning statistics may sound easy. But do you know how you are going to series and parallel your system together? How much amperage and how much loss you are going to have? How much voltage? It’s a lot to consider for an everyday homeowner. Changing a receptacle or putting up a fan is simple. But installing a complicated solar system with all the code knowledge that has to be known is more advanced. For instance, do you understand the information that these inverters give you? What should do with A or B or C? What do you need to know about Delta Y systems?
Homeowners don’t know what a Delta Y system is and what to do with it. If the voltage is incorrect, electricians know how to change it over to the correct voltage for your situation. An electrician knows how to make the taps correctly.
Many codes are known to electricians because they encounter them every day. Do you know box fill calculations? Do you know voltage drop? Do you know formulas? Do you know what can occur with high and low voltage systems? I’m not saying you shouldn’t do anything on your own. I’m saying to get a trained electrician. Every electrician is not the same or trained within every facet of their field. Some electricians were only trained to run conduit. Some were trained to pull wire. Some were trained for terminations (to connect the wires).
Should the electrical industry allow individuals to perform installations when solar codes are in the NEC?
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