Solar Homeowner Guide

Gov't Getting Started Info

• US Dept. of Energy Primer for small solar residential systems
• US Dept. of Energy Primer for planning a home solar system
• US Dept. of Energy Primer for planning a grid connected solar system
• US Dept. of Energy 2008 Homebuilder Guide to Going Solar (pdf)
• NREL Middle / High School Solar Circuity pdf

Residential Solar System Types

• Off Grid (stand alone system)
• Grid Tie System
• Grid Tie System with Battery Backup (Bimodal)

Residential Solar System Basic Components

Getting Started

Gather Some Info

• Your location
• Orientation
• shadows
• Roof size
• Past Energy Usage
• etc.

Make Some Calculations

Rebate Programs

Check - dsireusa.org

Hardware / System Basics

More Calculations

Choosing / Purchasing Components

Installation

Maintenance Considerations

FAQ - How Do I...

See these posts for discussion on some how-to questions

• - TeslaWall - Now what? What else do I need in a system?
• - Lets talk fuses. Where do I need to add fuses? How do I replace them if needed?
• - Almost ready to pull the solar trigger. Give me some pointers please.
• - Interested in installing solar, but daunted at how much I don't know
• - I'm interested in installing solar panels for my house, and I need some guidance.(Canada)
• - It's that time of year again...How do I keep the snow off my panels?
• - Solar panels...are they all the same?
• - How do I evaluate solar panel companies? I don't know anything!
• - Buying a new house. How do I make sure that we can support solar panel technology?
• - Since so many people have asked, here are the details about my solar system. (I posted yesterday about how my yearly bill was only $15, instead of about $4500)
• - I was looking into getting panels installed on my roof, but i am finding it very difficult to get answers to a lot of questions. :(
• - Guide to Battery Sizing / Capacity Calculator
• - Question about wiring batteries.
• - How to secure residential panels?
• - How do installers choose which inverter to use?

FAQ - Solar for a Shed

See these posts for some discussion on solar for sheds / cabins

• - Lighting a Shed using solar power
• - Solar Shed
• - Self Sufficient Shed
• - Thinking about adding solar to my shed... Any advice for affordable, out of the box systems?
• - A long rambling post with a couple questions somewhere about solar power. It's for a shed.
• - My off-grid solar system is alive! 1140W, 12kWh.
• - Wanting to make a small solar setup as a hobby/project.
• - System or components for basic cabin gear
• - Backyard and Shed lighting
• - My Solar Shed: Part 9: The Solar System (from solar panels to outlets)