Jack F.’s Solar Installation

Check out Jack Frederick’s DIY Grid-Tied project in California!:

“I was a solar contractor in the late ’70s. It was all thermal in those days.

At 72 years old and with a great deal of roof work experience, I had 84 roof penetrations to do on an 8/12 pitch. I did the entire Ironridge system, which, by the way, was excellent. Rigging and a safety harness on that pitch were necessary. I took my time, worked short days, and finished in 6 days.

I had 1 licensed electrician do the panel work. I did the roof wiring, which was very simple. I built a ramp for sliding the collectors up, and two friends came to do the groundwork. One friend helped mount the collectors on the roof – 24 total taking about 15min each.

I permitted this as an “owner-builder” I had an electrician do the required Combiner Panel and PG&E panel work.

I have Enphase micro-inverters. Initially, I didn’t buy the Enphase Combiner Panel, which upon learning more, I did order. It was much simpler to wire with the Combiner Panel.

The full installation took a couple of weeks. I’m old and retired, so I don’t do long days. 

I finished my installation 16 months ago. I completed my PG&E “True-Up” year. I zeroed my electric bill and have a $732 credit to pay the monthly hook-up charges. I am very pleased with my relationship with Unbounded, their staff, the system, its operation, and doing it myself. Two pro companies quoted me at $30K. I did it for $15.5K – solar pays, baby!

My system has been operational for 16 months. I completed my PG&E “True-Up” year. I zeroed my electric bill and earned a $732 credit to pay the monthly hook-up charges. I am very pleased with my relationship with Unbound Solar, their staff, the system, its operation, and doing it myself. Two pro companies quoted me at $30K. I did it for $15.5K – solar pays, baby!”

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