How Much Does Solar Cost? Part II

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David Lupberger is installing solar panels on his house. In part two of this two-part series, he answers questions on optimal installation, how long the project takes and the inspection process.

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Video Transcript for "How Much Does Solar Cost? Part II"

David Lupberger on How Much Does Solar Cost? Part II: Hi, I'm David Lupberger with ServiceMagic.com. It's the morning of day two of the installation of solar panels on my home. This morning they're focusing on getting the rails in place so they can begin to mount and finish the installation of all the solar panels.

David Lupberger: After yesterday's hot afternoon sun forced work to stop, the crew from Namaste solar is wasting no time in getting things started this morning. Their goal is to finish installation by this afternoon. After placing 44 brackets into my roof, they're now installing the rails that will eventually hold the solar panels. This layout, on the western side of my house, isn't the ideal situation. In fact, this positioning for the panels is the THIRD choice for Namaste to work with.

Amanda Bybee/Namaste Solar: Every area of the U.S. is going to have its own characteristics. Here in Colorado, our optimum installation faces due south, is completely unshaded and is at a tilt angle of 40 degrees, which is the equivalent of our latitude.

David Lupberger: But my roof doesn't have a southern exposure. The second option Namaste likes to go with is the east side. However, my chimney casts a shadow that would dramatically hamper the system's efficiency.

Amanda Bybee/Namaste Solar: Just given the layout of the land and the layout of your roof, West ended up being the best option even though it isn't quite optimal.

David Lupberger: Remember in Part One of this series, we focused on the financial decision to go with solar -- having to install the panels on the Western slope of my roof reduced maximum efficiency to 75% ... and that impacted the rebate from my utility company.

Amanda Bybee/Namaste Solar: In Xcel's case, when we find that a system is going to be less than 90% efficient, we actually pro-rate the rebate accordingly. So that's been taken into account on your application and on your proposal. Your rebate amount was amended to reflect that unfortunately your roof was not quite optimal.

David Lupberger: However, it still made financial sense for me to go through with it.

David Lupberger: As the solar panels begin to head skyward, another Namaste crew begins working on the wiring ... installing the wires that will bring the power collected from the sun right into my breaker box.

David Lupberger: This is the inverter. It effectively functions as the brain of the PV system. When all is said and done, the inverter will show me how much power is being generated and how much CO2 is being offset.

David Lupberger: Throughout the course of the day, the crew works tirelessly to hoist each panel to its permanent location on my roof ... and make sure they're properly secured to withstand the fiercest of storms. In less than two days, my roof has gone from a unit that protects my house from the elements, to one that will produce power for my home, even on days where the scorching heat of the sun can't burn through the cloud cover. I'd like to say we were through at this point ... but there are a few more steps to go through before the system is operational.

David Lupberger: However, there are two more inspections that have to take place. Early next week, a building inspector will come out to make sure the work was done properly. Following that, the utility will come out to certify the installation. So for now, the inverter is turned back off... and will wait.