Solar Southwest Florida

I was just notified that some solar photovoltaic (electric) panels were stolen from a doctor’s office in Naples, FL yesterday. NBC 2 News asked me to comment on the story. Although we did not install the panels, I appeared on the evening news giving my take on stolen solar panels.

NBC-2 Story Here

Here is what you need to know:

Homeowners and Business Owners

• Your homeowners insurance normally covers solar panels that are properly permitted and installed on your home or business. They become part of the structure and property, and are every bit as insurable as the air conditioning unit and other parts of your home.
• It isn’t easy to steal solar panels. While basic hand tools or battery operated tools are all that’s required, the panels weigh almost 50 pounds, and maneuvering them on the roof is not for the faint of heart.
• This is the first incident of solar photovoltaic panel theft that I have heard of in Southwest Florida.
• There are theft mitigation options like security bolts and cables, but these are easily thwarted with cutting tools. I would generally not recommend these options unless there is a serious risk of theft due to location or the location is unattended and isolated.
• The solar panels represent a small fraction of the total cost of the system in today’s market. The other components, services, and labor represent a far greater share of the cost.
• In most solar electric systems, a suitable replacement panel must be found. Because the industry changes quickly, this can be a challenge. Not only is the same size solar module important, but the electrical characteristics must match. If you are lucky, the same module is still available. If not, there are options. You will need an experienced solar dealer to help you through the replacement.

Thieves

• You are nuts. You risk electrocution by up to 600V exposed electrical wires on the roof.
• If the electricity does not kill you, the fall probably will.
• The value of a solar panel is about 1/4 what it was just a few years ago. It only represents 25%-33% of the total cost of a solar energy system. It is silly to steal the panels, because without “everything else,” you aren’t going to be able to use it in your home. You can’t steal “everything else.”
• There is essentially no scrap value for the panel.

The risk of solar panel theft is low based on the historical record. If you do experience a loss, call your insurance carrier immediately, then call Fafco Solar to get a replacement quote!

Should you do-it-yourself (DIY) for a solar panel installation in Florida? While is is completely permissible and possible to install solar on your home or business, it is not recommended.

I’m a self-taught guy in many disciplines, and I love to do home maintenance myself. Learning new skills is part of who I am. Learning the solar energy trade was not easy. Here are some reasons why you may not want to do-it-yourself:

Solar Electric (PV or Photovoltaic Systems)

1. PV Systems involve dangerous DC voltage and AC voltage electricity. You may be able to wire a ceiling fan or a light. That does not qualify you to perform complex wiring for a solar electric system. Grounding is a special concern for PV systems and can be quite complex.
2. Requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The City of Fort Myers’ and Lee County’s building departments have very different interpretations for some key code sections. Navigating this maze will cause you serious frustration and cost.
3. The larger solar panels popular today are heavy. Working with solar panels on your roof is not an easy task.
4. There is no such thing as a cookie-cutter or plug-and-play solar electric system. Even newly introduced microinverters require careful electrical design considerations. You will need both a structural engineer and an electrical engineer to draw up plans for you.
5. Solar energy systems can be monitored by your dealer, ensuring that you have a second set of eyes on the system to maximize performance and identify problems.

1. Roof mounted solar energy systems usually require roof penetrations. Do you know how to maintain your roof warranty? Who are you going to call if you get a roof leak? Amateur roof attachments are the #1 reason that DIY solar installations fail.
2. The labor to install solar energy systems is a relatively small fraction of the price of a system. This can easily be recouped by a trouble-free installation. The competition in the Southwest Florida market is robust, so dealer prices (and profits) are held to a minimum.
3. Design wind speeds required in Southwest Florida range from 120 mph – 150 mph. Do you know how to ensure proper roof attachments?
4. Solar dealers have relationships with building departments that enable smoother inspections. Knowing the requirements (idiosyncrasies) of particular jurisdictions is very valuable.

If you choose to proceed with a do-it-yourself installation, plan to be mostly on your own. Your local solar dealer can’t compete with online retail pricing, so you are better off getting solar products online for DIY projects (except solar pool heating). That means you are probably going to be on your own. Make sure you understand the job ahead of you fully, because dealers are hesitant to work with equipment purchased from another source. These products are often incompatible with the dealer’s typical brands, and specialized knowledge in the product may not be readily available locally. And assisting with DIY projects may open a solar dealer up to liability risk they are not willing to take on.

It’s not that your local solar dealer doesn’t want to help you with a DIY project. It’s just not cost feasible. If I could stock solar panels and sell them to you for a DIY project at a price you would find acceptable, I certainly would!

I obviously have a dog in the hunt here. I want you to use Fafco Solar for all of your solar needs. With the labor being a relatively small fraction of the cost to install solar, you are honestly best off leaving it to the professionals. It’s not rocket science, but you will save yourself a lot of headaches, and probably money in the long run.

If you haven’t noticed in the header of this blog, there is a new tab to go straight to the current Gulf of Mexico temperature from NOAA from inside SolarSouthwestFlorida.com

Just click on the tab or go here:

http://www.solarsouthwestflorida.com/gulf-of-mexico-temperature-naples-fl/

Fafco Solar’s Naples Botanical Garden Photovoltaic System was chosen as the Array of the Week by Enphase Energy, manufacturer of the Enphase microinverter. Information on this accolade can be found at this link:

http://community.enphaseenergy.com/enphase_energy_community/topics/array_of_the_week_fafco_solar

I am proud to have been Project Manager on this job, which was completed on budget and ahead of schedule. Our team of professional solar installers did amazing work on this great looking solar energy system.

Installed at Florida Gulf Coast University owned Naples Botanical Garden, this system will put a nice dent into the facility’s operating costs. It was eligible for an FPL utility rebate, further reducing the installed cost.

Enphase Microinverter at Naples Botanical Garden

Early morning dew covers PV panels at Naples Botanical Gardens

Fafco Solar has completed the FGCU Naples Botanical Garden photovoltaic system installation. I am particularly proud of this system and the expert installers that did the heavy lifting. The system includes 164 SolarWorld 245 watt solar photovoltaic modules, 164 Enphase M215 microinverters, a Unirac SolarMount mounting system, and S-5! Clamp attachments.

Because of the existing electrical system at the facility, the photovoltaic system is divided into two sub-arrays backfeeding power into two 208V 3-Phase electrical distribution panels. Commercial 3-Phase installations are always interesting from a design standpoint because typically we are dealing with various existing transformers and often generator backup systems.

Workers Install PV Module

It was truly a pleasure working with the Naples Botanical Garden staff and Manhattan Kraft Construction on this project. The weather cooperated for the most part. The job went very smoothly, finishing about a week ahead of my expectations.

This job is a model for future PV construction projects. We look forward to the next big PV job as we move on to a large multi-tenant solar water heating job in Fort Myers.