You might consider using a gutter in lieu of the LB or a junction box if the
site conditions are conducive.
From: Marco Mangelsdorf
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Sat, August 14, 2010 6:47:37 AM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Aluminum conduit LBs
The lesson was that even if
Over the years, the aluminum screw was part of what was peddled out here in the
late 90's until 2004.
In the tropics, it takes very little time for corrosion to set in and degrade
the connection.
The solution was to use noalox on every connection and replace the aluminum
screws with stainless bo
Perhaps in the future, we can go with a composite frame and remove the
grounding
challenge altogether?
Carbon fiber would be spectacular, minus the cost.
From: R Ray Walters
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Mon, September 13, 2010 7:14:36 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] T
Perhaps some day in the not too distant future, we will switch from tax credits
(like in Hawaii) to performance based incentives and this topic will be
resolved
from empirical evidence vs unsubstantiated claims.
Then the educated public can see a side by side comparison.
This would have to have
Marco
Perhaps the offering to clients is workmanship and the actual product falls
under the domain of the manufacturer.
We all have folks that call saying their inverter is not working anymore and
less of a challenge with the panels having a short life.
If a client wants to be covered, look at
William
My SW4048 went through 3 boards from 98-04 until I retired it. Blowing salty
air
across a FET rail and mother board that is not conformal coated, created a
perpetual triage environment.
Sealed units or units that pull air out vs blowing them directly on their
boards
in a coastal envi
Wrenches
Today, when I ran into one of our electrical inspectors, we had a discussion
about having the ability to have thorough inspections for solar.
In our jurisdictional, they are not allowed/required to go on to the roof.
So, how do they ever get to see all of the grounding and mounting
It makes sense to never drive your car at top speed for the tires, engine etc.
and this generally applies to virtually any type of technology we own.
There can be an argument made to say the engineers have put in a safety factor,
so don't worry, but I'd like my inverter to have a longer service
Andrew
Perhaps another approach could be warranted? Joint venture relationships can
serve each party well, as long as their structured in a way that benefits the
companies involved.
Roofers are a good source of leads for us and visa versa. Its worked for me and
I know of others that also see va
Folks.
To support this idea further, this weekend we have our building trade show at
our local convention center.
New names, new faces in the solar industry each time I go. Today was no
different. Many are what I would describe as folks that only provide solar
installations. Others are offs
utions, LLC
PO Box 657
Petaluma, CA 94953
Cell: 707-321-2937
Office: 707-789-9537
Fax: 707-769-9037
From: Keith Cronin
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Sat, January 29, 2011 1:54:40 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Roofers installing solar = creative, new
installation
st to
the load center, and replace breakers with GFCI and AFCI breakers.
Then you have substantially improved safety without opening any fresh cans o'
worms. (ie overstuffed 4x boxes filled with old wire)
R. Walters
r...@solarray.com
Solar Engineer
On Jan 29, 2011, at 2:54 PM, Kei
There is alot of debate in the air about NABCEP here locally.
Many folks would need to fly to CA to take the exam which is expensive and many
here don't see alot of value and I'll tell you a few reasons why...
1. With 150 entities performing solar work in some capacity and probably 1500+
-
inst
Hi
Was wondering if anyone has any new data points on the additional value a PV
system adds to the home?
If someone spends $X for a system and saves $Y a month/year, how is this being
calculated?
Do we have actuaries with enough empirical data to suggest what the numbers
would look like?
Rea
Hi folks
Was wondering- does anyone know back in 2005, if it was permissible to run DC
conductors from the roof, through the home to the inverter location, inside the
house, per the NEC?
Thanks
Keith Cronin___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
Nick
A middle solution is to use the Mac and get VMWare Fusion and put Windows 7 or
XP on it.
You can try it for free and then get it for $79.
Best of both worlds on one machine. This is what I've been doing since '08.
Aloha,
Keith
From: Nick Soleil
To: r
Max, et al.
I've also found parallels to be clunky a couple of years ago as well. Rumored
that the new version is catching up to VMWare.
Even when VMWare first came out, it was a little slow to boot the OS- aka,
Windows XP.
They've made some great strides since then, so perhaps consider an upg
Wrenches
With the advent of micros on the scene and the potential for using a generator
on an on-grid property, are any of you using a transfer switch to isolate the
genny and use the PV to feed the genny to reduce fuel consumption?
Are there issues with frequency and voltage?
How are the util
For those folks with larger wrench teams, how are you keeping your schedules
and milestones glued together?
We've used www.zoho.com for CRM and are contemplating using their Projects tool
for project management collaboration.
Have any of you used it? Like?
What are you using currently?
Regar
Any wrenches using this tool?
If so, feedback?
http://www.solmetric.com/pva600.html
Bill- what is your take on its IV Curve measurement data?
Perhaps its been a while, but I recall your tested was in the $20k cost zone?
This seems like a reasonable tool to have and all of the benefits of
com
me as most tablets now run Android OS and not a
Microsoft product.
Is it just browser based perhaps?
Thanks!
Glenn Burt
From:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jesse Dahl
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 2:51 PM
To: Keith Cronin;
Out here, we usually need to wait, as many meters have been swapped for digital
flavored ones.
So, test system and turn off, so client doesn't get a cumulative bill for what
they normally use, plus the pv.
Aloha,
Keith
From: Kirk Herander
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Mark
My sense is we will all see more and more of this, given in CA and other
pioneering states, there will be orphaned systems looking for TLC.
The micro inverter scene helps, as it gives Analytics and the other benefit is
the client doesn't loose their whole system or learn about it after a m
Perhaps as an add on value-relationship building component for your businesses,
go introduce your clients, new and existing to The Energy Detective-
http://www.theenergydetective.com/ted-5002-g
At the very least, you can help them, help you, monitor what they have and
discern between whether th
Hey gang
With the 215's on the scene and the tech literature on their website, they
state you can put up to 17 modules on a string.
Locally, I see folks throwing on 17-235 watt modules. Back of the napkin- 235
watts/240 volts = .97 amps.
17 x .97 = 16.49 amps on the 20 amp circuit. Pushing the
on on their
site about this where they claimed it wasn't worth worrying about, but
it's a site-specific question that the installer should answer.
On 2011/8/24 0:20, Keith Cronin wrote:
> Hey gang
>
> With the 215's on the scene and the tech literature on their website,
e language universal, like virtually all AC wiring
in a home.
Keith
From: William Miller
To: Keith Cronin ; RE-wrenches
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase 215
Keith:
Her's my guess: Through the MPPT algorithm.
boB
Talked to Lou before he fell ill last Monday, as he said he was feeling out of
sorts. I suggested he head to the doctor and he decided to go to the hospital.
I visited him at the hospital on Wednesday and talked shop and about life in
general and all of the strides we've all experienced ove
Folks- any of you purchased any of these?
http://suniva.com/index.php
Aloha,
Keith___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re
Hi
Was wondering if any of you have installed bifacial modules and know what the %
of light that comes through to a surface below the modules?
Looking for a canopy type of installation/ application and wondered if you have
any #'s?
Thank you~
Aloha,
Keith___
Bill Brooks
To: 'Keith Cronin' ; 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 11:44 AM
Subject: RE: [RE-wrenches] Bifacial modules
Keith,
This is easy to test. Simple take an irradiance sensor, turn it upside-down and
test the irradiance on the bottom surface of any PV ar
crease the applicability of the products.
Perhaps someday, they can make the cells see-through (or almost), like
glass...? Now that opens up possibilities!
Aloha,
Keith
From: Phil Undercuffler
To: Keith Cronin ; RE-wrenches
Cc: Bill Brooks
Sent:
Hi
I was wondering, by a show of hands, how many of you megger every project?
Do you have a cut off- like if it is "x" sized system, you will or decide to
opt out of performing this task?
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address
Greg, etal
Materials aside, this is why I have be advocating to follow your thoughts a bit
further.
Knowing that HD (or equal) will eventually sell all (or most) of the products
we offer within the next 5 years, why not focus on making profit dollars on
labor?
It is interesting to me that we as
How about modifying one of those electric cow fences?
From: Mark Frye
To: k...@vtsolar.com; RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 7:49:37 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] squirrel problems
Are to costs to repair this kind of damage generally
covered by the
Hi
While I don't dismiss sales from year to year as one of the metrics for gauging
the state of things, perhaps in lieu of the top number, could we focus on the
bottom number?
Could we also see where these sales are coming from- referrals from existing
loyal fans or hard earned marketing dolla
PV enthusiasts-
Perhaps a fresh perspective on these products deserves some attention after the
last few thoughts shared by Bill & Joel, who are industry respected stalwarts
that deserve and receive alot of respect from me and the rest of us.
As some of us grew up when we thought Japanese types
Yes Don, thanks for the added "h"
From: "i...@aol.com"
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Monday, June 8, 2009 7:39:39 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Chinese solar cells and modules and pricing
In a message dated 6/7/2009 1:45:42 P.M. Pacific Dayli
ed him if he refused to sell to the Arabs
because they were boycotting Israel. Bill said, "It's not just about
Israel. I refuse to do business with dictators."
Joel Davidson
- Original Message -
From: Keith Cronin
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 1:45 PM
Subject:
from a financial sense, how does sourcing Chinese modules
improve our balance of payments?
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:13:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Cronin
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Chinese solar cells and modules and pricing
To: RE-wrenches
Message-ID: <873930.98326...@web46108.mail.sp1.yahoo
Hello
A discussion came up today about 690.47(C)(1)+(2) in regards to using the
Enphase products and the applicability of needing a separate ground rod for the
DC?
Anyone get any feedback from their colleagues or inspectors regarding this and
how they approached this?
The discussion also swir
grounding issues. It's too late for the 2011 code, but maybe we
can clear this up with the 2014 code.
BTW, the explanatory note after paragraph 690.47(C)(8) in the 2008
handbook offers some clarification.
I'm anxious to get John W. and Bill B.'s opinion on this.
See Ya!
Mar
Hi
I have a solar friend who is looking for some feedback on cost per footing for
a small residential ground mount system in Northern CA. Do any of you have a
cost estimate/assumption for each sonotube and concrete mix? What have been the
general requirements for diameter and depth of the footi
Allan
Is this for residential, or residential and commercial?
Here, commercial systems are generally subjected to structural and electrical
PE review, while residential is not. Or, should I say small scale residential,
under 10kW.
Keith
From: Allan Sindelar
Jeff
A few other approaches:
1. Joint check with 2 signatures from the bank
2. Lien release contingent upon payment to vendor
3. Contract with specific milestones outlining payment terms
4. Bridge loan from bank for 1 month- small interest to pay for the certainty
5. Collateral- your home or the
Hi gang
I was wondering, what percentage do you believe represents the ratio of
classroom training to field training for PV and what percentage you believe
should be performed by licensed electricians vs what is deemed mechanical work?
Residential Grid Tie w/out batteries
___% classroom- electr
in the GT w/o batteries, so I
> think your training should concentrate there.
>I've taught a semester long PV class, and all I was able to do was create
> well educated consumers.
>
>
>R. Walters
>Solarray.com
>NABCEP # 04170442
>
>
>
>
>
>On Jul 17, 2
;For Off grid, no one should even attempt being a designer/ installer
>>> without living for a full year on their own off grid system.
>>>GT w/ batteries, you need off grid smarts and understand GT.
>>>Training newbies, I can't imagine them being able to do anythin
http://www.cars.gov/
Just wanted to share this, as some folks could benefit from a trade in and
sequester some carbon and save some fuel economy boost as well as re-market
their image.
Politics aside, the intent has good merit.
About 2 weeks ago, these folks where here in Hawaii and we saw the
http://www.hialeahmeter.com/
From: Eric Andrews
To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:16:40 AM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Watt-hour meter
I’m looking for a Watt-hour meter that
is hard-wired (not a Kill-O-Watt plugin) and
resembles
MarcoTake a look in this months Home Power. There are many examples of mod manus and pricing to compare. Other websites that offer products point to the decline as well.One direction the manus seem to be taking is how to adjust to the commodity like fluctuations in pricing their products. It is a c
http://www.helixwind.com/en/index.php
Anyone have any feedback on these?
Thanks
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenc
Hi
Have any of you considered using PV to pump water to a holding area and
releasing it and capturing the kinetic energy via a pelton wheel/hydro?
If so, what do we think are the efficiencies and value of doing such a project
are? Meaning, back of the napkin, PV is + - 77% efficient, minus "x"
om:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith
Cronin
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 2:43 PM
To: RE-Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar and pumped hydro
Hi
Have any of you considered using PV to pump water to a holding area and
rele
short version,
the long answer if needed.
4. While hydro is magic if you've got it, pumped storage
5. So we've got some big loss's, 35% efficient at best and 15% at worst. IE
batteries are way more efficient than pumped storage.
jay
peltz Power
On Aug 24, 2009, at 11:43 AM, Kei
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/sma-america-inc-2081/news/article/2009/10/sma-america-unveils-new-sunny-beam-pv-system-monitor?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-October21-2009
It appears it has arrived.
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List A
Clearly, we all have an opinion about this product and its efficacy moving
forward, or its reliability today.
Much can be said about alot of the products we see filter through our hands
over the years.
As we all look back to being pioneers in the this industry, one thing stands
out- we take ri
Jeff
Perhaps the concern of any of these companies being around is real, but my
sense is this market is just beginning to grow as we know it.
http://earth2tech.com/2009/09/08/first-solar-to-build-worlds-largest-pv-solar-farm-for-chinese-government/
This is just one project, but it is inevitable
Folks
Back to the innovation axiom: more companies will deploy more web based
solutions to measure real time data of a systems performance over time.
This data is important to have and see to compare characteristics related to
mods and inverter performance to bolster or ouster manu claims on ou
William
Some feedback:
1. The DC and AC wiring is generally under the modules and therefore protected.
2. Upon the wiring segueing out from under the modules- AC, you would switch to
a JB and conduit. This can also be achieved prior to exiting below the modules.
3. www.schletter-inc.us and http
Jay
I also agree that the training/position on this subject matter should be two
separate certifications. Let me give some examples:
Last year in Hawaii, we have reported approximately 11mW's of PV that went in.
In speaking to the utility folks, less than 1% had any batteries associated
with t
Hi colleagues
Do any of you have a preference, PV Powered vs SMA in the residential space-
2k-5k grid tie inverter zone?
Comments on performance/reliability/customer service etc?
Any feedback on their monitoring vs SMA's webbox?
Thanks
Keith
___
Lis
http://www.ecmag.com/?fa=article&articleID=10827
Do any of you have any comments on the efficacy of these types of products?___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wr
Jeff
EMT is fine on the roof. Rigid will add weight to the roof, as well as increase
your labor costs to install it.
My take away from the Target project after reading the report was they did not
use the correct fittings. Coupled with long conduit runs and perhaps not using
junction boxes and
My perspective-
If the client recently purchased a 3kW system and the commission in this
example is 5%.
3kW @ $7/w = $21k. So the sales person made $1050 for the original deal.
Lets say they want to add on 2kW more with the same example above
2k@ @ $7/w= $14k. Sales commission is $700.
So, the
Bob
They have contacted me and seem eager to distribute their products.
Keith
From: Bob Clark
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Thu, February 11, 2010 5:02:17 PM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] ecoSolargy PV modules
RE-Wrenches:
Does
anyone have experien
Eric
You might want to consider using these->
http://www.chemlink.com/docs/datasheets/chemlink_chemcurbs.pdf
Nice video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaqzk-G5WDk
From: "solarepiph...@gmail.com"
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Sent: Thu, February 25, 201
Hi
http://www.deckmonitoring.com/index.html
My understanding is that this is not low cost, but something to ponder for
larger systems.
From: Darryl Thayer
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Tue, April 13, 2010 3:03:05 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] low cost DAS systems
https://www.kessleradvisors.com/contentnt.aspx?id=212From: David Brearley To: RE-wrenches Sent: Tue, April 20, 2010 12:01:59 PMSubject: Re: [RE-wrenches] prof liabilty insurance
SEIA has on offician insurance broker:
David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor
SolarPro magazine
NABCEP Certifi
Friends
Having had some experience in this genre, after selling my company to SunEdison
in '07, here are my takeaways.
1. The financing community want assurances. My hunch is their expectations or
what they were sold compared to what the production is, could be falling short.
2. Risk management
Makes you wonder what is officially calibrated to whatis digital more
accurate or analog utility meters...??
From: Marco Mangelsdorf
To: RE-wrenches
Cc: Douglas Bath
Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 8:11:16 PM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] FW: Enphase performance
Marco
I've heard alot of manu's are struggling or will be struggling to meet demand
this year- SunPower, Canadian and now it seems Kyocera.
Who is next?
Seems like 2006 all over again.
From: Steven Lawrence
To: "re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"
Sent: Tue, May 18
William
Good points. One thing I'd like to mention out here in the 50th state- on the
residential side, they don't do any calcs. They count on the installer. The
electrical inspectors aren't privy either or aren't very interested. Even on
some of the commercial projects, small commercial, they
Hi folks
Any inverters in the marketplace that will happily take -48 volts off the phone
companies standard battery banks they use to backup their phone network for us?
Client wants to drive a 15kva load and replace and existing conventional UPS
system that was rated for 40kva.
Thanks
Keith
Recently, I was asked, how big is too big- to use micro inverters vs a string
inverter for a small commercial system.
With my own experience, we did a 10kW system and the owner was ecstatic with
the level of detail and the reporting, as over the last couple of years, we had
a few inverters that
Jessie
Great question and it spawned a few additional questions.
1. How many on the list here do urban only or 97% on grid vs off grid systems?
2. How many urban solar folks today, have segued to mostly micro inverters vs
string inverters?
3. How many wrenches here do mostly battery systems?
4.
grid tie stuff is less complicated than the first days of
being able to interconnect to the utility, so I'm optimistic for whats possible.
Aloha, Keith
____
From: Mark Frye
To: 'Keith Cronin' ; 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012
As I look out on the market place here, it must be close to 100 to 1, micro
inverter installations vs string on residential systems.
Don't know what the primary reason is, but I sense simplicity, as there are
less "wrenches" out there, so to speak.
The electricians and mechanical type folks I wo
Perhaps another solution- using a roofing company to spray a layer of foam and
then a silicone over that.
They offer a 20 year warranty.
You can first install your mounting equipment and they'll foam around them.
Its about 1" thick for the foam and 50mm-100mm for the silicone.
Costs about $5 sq f
Hi gang
Anyone work with these folks yet? http://www.apparent.com/
Their product seems like it will be an incremental step in solving what I
believe to be a challenge in the future- too much non firm generation on the
nations grids.
Hawaii could be the first canary in the coal mine, but I'm su
Hi folks
What kinds of products are you using for residential and commercial surge
protection for your PV systems?
Have a few clients that have been asking.
Is it at the service, using products like this:
http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/bussmann/electrical/products/surge_prote
Wrenches
Its ironic this topic came up for me yesterday as well. As we have approached
the day where everything is online- pricing of our widgets from various
sources, its challenging for wrenches to not be transparent or to explain you
want to make X% margin on widgets.
But if someone buys th
If you do PV in Pakistan, please contact me off list.
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archiv
Hello
With the growth of the solar industry coupled with the generous incentives now
offered on fed part of the equation, we are seeing some trends here and
wondering what the approach has been in other areas. What kind of feedback are
you receiving from the AHJ?
There are some integrators who
Hello gang
Was wondering, who is using each (or if you are not, I'd like to
learn/understand) and the features/benefits that you see where one is more
desirable than the other.
Are some folks bypassing using these products and looking at empirical data,
and if there are no obstructions- trees,
http://www.solyndra.com/
Anyone have any feedback on these folks and their products?
___
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenc
--
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
12:05 PM
To: RE-Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solyndra
http://www.solyndra.com/
Anyone have any feedback on these
Hello
Do any of you keep score, in regards to the metrics on productivity in the
field?
What I am asking, is, what are you using for labor hours, for a vanilla grid
tied residential system? (keeping in mind there are variants, but there also
are averages)
For example, X amount of people, for
...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
11:53 AM
To: RE-Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Metrics
Hello
Do any of you keep score, in regards to the metrics on productivity in the
field?
What I am asking, is, what are you using for labor hours, for a vanilla grid
I also segued to a mac last fall and installed VMWare to bridge the PC
experience. Overall, I would recommend the transition.
There is also incentive, if you live in a metro area- to get training at the
Apple store- it is $100 for the year and if you can carve out time, you can
take 1 lesson a w
90 matches
Mail list logo
