9 Surprising Things about People Who Go Solar (Infographic)

Our good friends over at One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) have created another awesome solar power infographic. The last infographic of theirs that we shared here on CleanTechnica, on how much solar power costs in locations across the U.S., was quite popular, and I imagine this new one will be as well. The topic, as you can see from the title above, is 9 surprising things about people who go solar. There really are some surprising things in here, and just some downright cool information — my favorite point is #9. Feel free to let us know which points really surprise or excite you! Here’s the infographic (larger version can be seen on 1BOG… or by clicking on this image and then clicking on it again on the next page — you can also just hold ‘ctrl’ or ‘command’ and press the ‘+’ button):

Zachary Shahan (2298 Posts)

I'm the director of CleanTechnica, the most popular clean energy website in the world, and Planetsave, a leading green and science news site. I've been covering green news of various sorts since 2008, and I've been especially focused on solar energy, electric vehicles, bicycling, and wind energy for the past few years. You can also find my work on Scientific American, Reuters, Think Progress, GE's ecomagination site, several sites in the Important Media network, & many other places. To connect on some of your favorite social networks, go to zacharyshahan.com or click on some of the links below.

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http://www.aztecsolar.com/solar-services/residential-solar Solar Sacramento

One of my favorite points is number 3. Installing solar panels and relying upon solar energy rather than nonrenewable sources of energy isn’t just for the rich. The average income maker can still profit from solar energy.
SirSparks

Bob. I am the (master) electrician, like you mainly Off Grid ( very small back up cord at present)

1,800W PV at average $1,90 per watt = $3,420
1000 AH Trojan T105RE battery bank $900
Aims 2,500W inverter $165 (Ebay)
400W Pure sinewave inverter $80 (Ebay)
$640 for TWO charge controllers.

Total $5,125. (I only just now added it all up)

In addition probably about $250 of marine grade wire and lugs which of course went through the company. No permit; it’s a self built out RV (Box truck).
- Bob_Wallace
  
  OK, good info. $1.90/w is a good price, but someone who wanted to save even more could get at or close to $1/W purchasing from Sun Electric.
  
  You didn’t include rack price. For a typical roof or ground mount that might add several hundred dollars to a 1.8k installation. (I’m remembering that my 1.2k racks cost me over $500 total. Be warned about my memory…)
  
  I’ll have to check out the Aims inverter – is that for grid tie or for non-sensitive loads (refer, shop tools, etc.). Model?
  
  $80 for a 400@ pure sinewave. Got a brand/model? Regular price or an Ebay deal?
  
  What kind of charge controllers? Maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and if, what brand/model and where?
  
  (I’m really interested in this answer. I’ve got two racks of panels, ground mounted. For about two months of the year (low Sun track days) I have a tree shading part of the rack for part of the day. One solution is to drop the tree, which I’d rather not do. The other is to put my racks on separate MMPTs so that I get most of the power produced by the partially shaded rack and all from the unshaded.)
  
  —-
  
  For folks who are interested in doing their own, lots of places you’re going to have to pull a permit and you may be required to use a licensed electrician to look over your installation and make the final hookup to the grid.
  - SirSparks
    
    400w/600w max PSW was purchased for $66 here; eastcoast_wholesales_llc (Ebay)
    
    Racks were self made out of 1 1/2″ by 1/8″ aluminum angle for very little and quickly adjustable for the 4 seasons. 6 panels are a hard sun awning.
    
    FOUR 12V charging means;
    1) $600 80 amp) Outback MPPT. (switches at 14.8V)
    2) $40 40 amp PWM (switches at 14.4V
    3) 11 amps direct connect (does not need a controller)
    4) soon to add a 15 amp straight switching (14V) controller for last 200W of panel on order.
    
    Note; sometimes I bypass switch the 40 amp PWM for a quicker charge if it’s somewhat cloudy. (trees in your case)
    - SirSparks
      
      Sun Electric is pallet priced $1 PLUS shipping. My $1.90 was incl. shipping and per item. (normally 85W panels) The PSW inverter is working perfectly after 6 months just blew out some cobwebs from the fan once.)
      
      In your situation I would use a cheap PWM as the second controller and let the MPPT do all the intelligent work. Just switch off the PWM if you are away from home for an extended period.
      
      In practice my 4 way system works flawllessly.
SirSparks

I don’t expect anyone to believe this but my self install solar cost me a bit under $5,000. My average utility bill before was $300. My average bill now (with some serious life style changes) is $3. YUP! THREE DOLLARS a month. Long live solar.
- Bob_Wallace
  
  I could believe you, but I’d need more info.
  
  System size, price per watt for panel purchase, rack cost, inverter cost, permit (?) cost, electrician (?) cost.
  
  –
  
  I’m off the grid, installed my own 1.2kW system with battery storage for a bit over $5k. That was ten years ago when panel prices were quite a bit higher. No permits, no outside labor cost.
Stan

And, to add another nice note regarding this issue…..almost all of my customers want to be friends after all is said and done….if you aren’t in this industry, I have to tell you….I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Bob_Wallace
  
  Stan – what’s it going to take to get the US price of installed solar from ~$6.40/W to the German average of ~$2.40?
  
  If there’s something that US business excels at, it’s getting stuff to customers at a low price. Where’s the system failing?
- http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan
  
  haha, i bet.
  
  can only imagine.