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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar and Wind Power > Subject: Interest in adding PV Sales and Installation

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warmsmeallup User is Offline

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Posts:76

03/22/2008 7:10 AM
I own a buisness in New England and we distributor/install low voltage radiant heating systems for interior and exterior use. Many of my clients are asking if they can incorporate the installation with a photovoltaic solar system. Here are my questions: Does one have to be an engineer to be a reseller/installer of these systems? It's my understanding they're all basically the same. Can anyone here tell me if they purchased a photovoltaic system and are UNhappy with it's performance and why? Conversely, did you purchase a PV system and are very happy you did? Thanks! Warms*

Comfort Radiant Heating

Topgas

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Posts:64

03/22/2008 7:56 AM
I don't know anything but what I've read and talked with people who do have PV systems. People I've talked with are happy with their systems but I can't always get documented numbers out of them. One thing I have learned from solar hot water panels is that you have to factor in that you only have so many days of sunny skys when factoring in KWH per month. Summer is great, winter sucks. Just don't under size the system and I think everything is straight forward from there. On my system I'm designing, I'm taking the rated amount of watts per panel and multipling it by .6 to come up with what I really think things will turn out like. This is a guess from someone that doesn't have a running system up yet. Just becareful of the salesman......

deneb

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Posts:7

03/26/2008 10:11 PM
Hi warmsmeallup, First, to do justice to your clients and prepare for the future - at least find an engineer to assist you. He should have done at least 10 systems before you trust him. He should also be a certified solar installer in the states you wish to do business. Homepower magazine, back issues on CD, and a review of all government web sites plus a membership in the solar industries association will help educate yourself before contacting engineer. Three months of intensive reading will get you up to speed. Take a course, workshop, on a weekend. Your efforts will be well rewarded! I know of a system that cost 60k or more that faces the wrong way - they will probably be quite unhappy! Although I have been involved for over 30 years - I am still insanely concerned that people are wasting their valuable funds before intensive conservation. Heat, electricity and money saved are the most important move to make for the newbie - then they will have the funds for the "frosting". Not knowing where True North is shows others that one is not the one to follow. A well designed PV net metered system is a very good long term goal - after the R=50 walls and R=70 roof. ... Radiant heating does work with PV but is a limiting option for your customers. Radiant warm water leaves many options open for their future without relying on the grid. Remember that the final temp will be less than 100 deg. in a radiant installation. You are fighting the second law of thermodynamics - go simple and "kiss". You can always boost the water temp with a heat recovery heat pump on the output end of the air to air heat exchanger, a more sustainable use of the precious KWH from a PV array.

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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar and Wind Power > Interest in adding PV Sales and Installation

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