Solar Rooftop DIY: The Homeowner's Guide to Installing Your Own Photovoltaic Energy System

by Mike Sullivan

Overview

The do-it-yourself guide for converting your home to solar power

Solar energy is clean, efficient, sustainable—and expensive. Or is it? Many homeowners simply assume that the cost of solar panels is out of their reach, but in reality, the technology is quickly becoming attainable for the middle class. Rather than leasing panels from one of those home solar startups (and letting them reap the financial benefits), why not join the thousands who are doing it themselves? In Solar Rooftop DIY, sustainable energy expert Mike Sullivan offers five design plans—ranging from a few simple panels to a complex, roof-covering array—for building a rooftop PV energy system for any home. Each plan has clear and detailed step-by-step photographs showing the installation process. Many of them require no additional labor—just a few days' commitment for the average weekend warrior. With energy costs only set to increase in the future, now is the time to make the switch to solar and start selling power back to the grid.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581573985
Publisher:	Countryman Press, The
Publication date:	09/13/2016
Series:	Countryman Know How
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mike Sullivan has been installing rooftop solar energy systems on homes and commercial spaces for more than ten years. He splits time between Southeast Asia and Vancouver, Canada.

Table of Contents

Overview 9

Introduction 11

Chapter 1 Basic Types of Solar Panels: Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin-Film 21

Chapter 2 Types of PV System Connections 45

Chapter 3 Major Components of a Solar PV Rooftop System 58

Chapter 4 How to Determine the Optimal Size of Your System 73

Chapter 5 How to Calculate the Annual Output of a System and the Optimal Number of Panels 95

Chapter 6 Government Incentives, Rebates, Subsidies, Grants, Tax Credits, and Private Leasing Programs 105

Chapter 7 Environmental Benefits of PV Solar Systems 113

Chapter 8 Maximize the Benefits from Your PV Solar Energy Rooftop Installation 115

Chapter 9 Where to Find Professionally Certified Solar Installers I Your Area 127

Chapter 10 Photographic Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install a Complete PV Solar Rooftop System 133

Chapter 11 Conclusions and Suggestions 159

Appendix 161

Online Energy and Cost Savings Calculators 161

Online Links to Sources for Determining Solar Radiation Values for Any Location Worldwide 163

Ratings of PV Solar Panels by Independent Sources 165

Links to Free Online Magazines and Journals Dealing with Solar Energy 166

Online Solar Energy Discussion Forums 168

Websites and References for Additional Information 170

Glossary of Terms 171

About the Author and this Book 173

Acknowledgments 174

Index 175