Conduit runs, like the solar array, should be decided PRIOR to the day of install (imo). Consumers need to know the following: Spacial guidelines and local codes, penetration points within attic spaces (if applicable), warranty of said penetrations pertaining to mount equipment vs. conduit, sizing of conduit for initial install vs. future install, number of strings for DC and how each string is laid out (1,2, and 3), if a system is "full sized" meaning no further additions can be made either with PV and/or Batteries based on initial design--- and that's just off the top of my head. Good info tho, I'm glad others can at least get the basics rather than just being told "it's taken care of...."
Thanks Zach. Do you feel the mointing system is important ... You did not mention this for specs etc. in florida wind rating is important. Also when does the ncustomer sign a contract? After design? A video on the paperwork process would be helpful ... For example what is common in the imdustry
Thanks for watching. Yes, mounting system is very important. Nowadays, most installers are using super similar hardware that for me it really just comes down to the quality of the workmanship. We use a lot of IronRidge. New customers will sign everything before any work is done (survey, design, etc), but there are cancellation windows if the project hits a dead end. I can put a video covering these points together in the near future.
Am trying to get 10 panels + PW3 installed in my townhouse with SDGE grid distrib. I've been told that because my meter is 4 units away in a utility closet, I need a Tesla Gateway 3 for $5,000 installed. No one else from 4 quotes has mentioned this. I was also told my breaker panel needs to upgraded but only to 125 amp instead of 200 amp. My current master breaker is 70 amp (in utility cabinet), so I would have to put a 70 amp master in either new panel. Why would I be limited to 125 amp panel? Thanks
That is super bizarre, especially if none of your other quotes had mentioned this to you. It's hard to say what's going on for certain, but off-hand I'd find it hard to believe that a Gateway 1 would be able to do something a Gateway 3 couldn't. You might be limited to a 125A panel due to wire size. The wire size may not be capable of supporting a 200A panel.
@@ZachSolar I corrected the Gateway they want to install is actually 3. Another vendor is specifying a SolarEdge inverter but no Gateway. Not sure why they want to install a SolarEdge inverter when the PW3 already has one. Could it do the function of a Tesla Gateway 3 at less cost? As far as the breaker panel goes, both 125 and 200 boxes would require a ~70Amp master breaker to protect the wiring to the meter which also has a 70A master breaker. Thanks.
@@ZachSolar I asked the sales rep and he didn't know. Stellar Solar says I need the T Gateway 3. I believe Freedom Forever was just giving a junk contract with terms that allowed them to add the Gateway 3 and up the price, but I'm really not sure. Seems the SolarEdge inverter is only suitable for monitoring in this system.
@@ZachSolar I finally got an answer about SE inverter. They said it was a "glitch," and that a GW3 is defacto included with a PW3 (if needed) even though not listed on the contract. I asked for mods to the contract, and they just keep saying to sign the existing one cause they can't change it (until after the site survey). Does that make sense to not include the GW3 on the contract?
Hey Zach, I've been consuming your content the last week or so and I've been trying to decide on enphase 5p's or powerwall 3's. I currently have Panasonic panels already connected with IQ7+ inverters on my roof. Here are some considerations: I already have enphase inverters and I monitor my solar installation through the Enphase app. I have an 11.7kW system with IQ7+ inverters. My solar charging the battery will be reduced to 7.68 as the PW3 would be AC coupled. I have a Tesla model 3 and Tesla is (allegedly) bringing bi-directional charging to the table potentially next year so I could possibly use my car to supplement my storage, maybe I live in florida with net-metering and no peak price differences. My main motivator is getting battered by storms and getting power knocked out a few times during hurricane season. My Enphase quote is 28000 for 5 Enphase 5P's and my Powerwall 3 quote is 25,000 for two powerwall 3's I would prefer my batteries to be inside my garage vs outside and space is a consideration as well although functionality and being "forward thinking" are higher priorities than space If you were in my shoes, what would you choose?
Thanks for watching! Happy to help. Just a heads up, you would get 7.68 kW per PW3, so ~15.4 kW input capacity for the x2 PW3 set up. So no worries there. It is hard to dispute the power, capacity, footprint and price point of Tesla. Enphase makes a really good battery too, but I’d lean Tesla here for sure. Especially since you’re already in their ecosystem. If you’d like to discuss further on your situation in-depth, let’s book a call. I can even help review quotes you have if needed. calendly.com/infozachsolar/general
My system was net new so no existing micro inverters so went Tesla route with Powerwall 3 with 17.22 kW system- since we had 2 teslas. Love the single app integration as well as charge on solar option with Tesla (though you have to be parked at home during the day). It was also easy for them to set up whole home backup without having to move any existing circuits to a different critical loads panel. Only draw back is I don’t get granular details on each panel output or string with Tesla since it’s aggregated but can use a separate Tesla one app to get string info for diagnostics.
Interesting…..not sure why I got notification that my input/comments were not to your liking. I follow many solar channels and if asking if a product is made in America 🇺🇸 is too rude/woke or whatever sorry. I prefer to purchase American made products to help American workers period. People can buy Chinese/foreign made products that are more affordable and have a lower warranty. Pretty confused
I’m sorry, but I didn’t do anything to your comments. Must be UA-cam 🤷🏻♂️ I agree with you. And we do use quite a bit of American manufactured solar products. The industry is definitely shifting that way!
@@ZachSolarall good man. Maybe a glitch I. The matrix Zack! Regardless, your content is solid and extremely informative. I’ll continue to provide my input when required. In appreciate you responding and weee good to go 🫡👍🏼✊🏼
How to protect wh against emp
Good info.
Thanks!
Maybe I missed it, did you talk about the roof condition? Fix or replace a roof first before putting on solar panels.
I definitely overlooked that. This would be a good one to add to the list.
Conduit runs, like the solar array, should be decided PRIOR to the day of install (imo). Consumers need to know the following: Spacial guidelines and local codes, penetration points within attic spaces (if applicable), warranty of said penetrations pertaining to mount equipment vs. conduit, sizing of conduit for initial install vs. future install, number of strings for DC and how each string is laid out (1,2, and 3), if a system is "full sized" meaning no further additions can be made either with PV and/or Batteries based on initial design--- and that's just off the top of my head. Good info tho, I'm glad others can at least get the basics rather than just being told "it's taken care of...."
@@drumboy256 really good input here as well 👍
for the algorithm 👍
Appreciate that!
Thanks Zach. Do you feel the mointing system is important ... You did not mention this for specs etc. in florida wind rating is important. Also when does the ncustomer sign a contract? After design? A video on the paperwork process would be helpful ... For example what is common in the imdustry
Thanks for watching. Yes, mounting system is very important. Nowadays, most installers are using super similar hardware that for me it really just comes down to the quality of the workmanship. We use a lot of IronRidge.
New customers will sign everything before any work is done (survey, design, etc), but there are cancellation windows if the project hits a dead end. I can put a video covering these points together in the near future.
Am trying to get 10 panels + PW3 installed in my townhouse with SDGE grid distrib. I've been told that because my meter is 4 units away in a utility closet, I need a Tesla Gateway 3 for $5,000 installed. No one else from 4 quotes has mentioned this. I was also told my breaker panel needs to upgraded but only to 125 amp instead of 200 amp. My current master breaker is 70 amp (in utility cabinet), so I would have to put a 70 amp master in either new panel. Why would I be limited to 125 amp panel? Thanks
That is super bizarre, especially if none of your other quotes had mentioned this to you. It's hard to say what's going on for certain, but off-hand I'd find it hard to believe that a Gateway 1 would be able to do something a Gateway 3 couldn't.
You might be limited to a 125A panel due to wire size. The wire size may not be capable of supporting a 200A panel.
@@ZachSolar I corrected the Gateway they want to install is actually 3. Another vendor is specifying a SolarEdge inverter but no Gateway. Not sure why they want to install a SolarEdge inverter when the PW3 already has one. Could it do the function of a Tesla Gateway 3 at less cost? As far as the breaker panel goes, both 125 and 200 boxes would require a ~70Amp master breaker to protect the wiring to the meter which also has a 70A master breaker. Thanks.
@@rooobosmith I'd stick with all in one Tesla system. Strange that someone is recommending a SolarEdge inverter. I'd ask what that is all about.
@@ZachSolar I asked the sales rep and he didn't know. Stellar Solar says I need the T Gateway 3. I believe Freedom Forever was just giving a junk contract with terms that allowed them to add the Gateway 3 and up the price, but I'm really not sure. Seems the SolarEdge inverter is only suitable for monitoring in this system.
@@ZachSolar I finally got an answer about SE inverter. They said it was a "glitch," and that a GW3 is defacto included with a PW3 (if needed) even though not listed on the contract. I asked for mods to the contract, and they just keep saying to sign the existing one cause they can't change it (until after the site survey). Does that make sense to not include the GW3 on the contract?
Hey Zach, I've been consuming your content the last week or so and I've been trying to decide on enphase 5p's or powerwall 3's. I currently have Panasonic panels already connected with IQ7+ inverters on my roof. Here are some considerations:
I already have enphase inverters and I monitor my solar installation through the Enphase app. I have an 11.7kW system with IQ7+ inverters. My solar charging the battery will be reduced to 7.68 as the PW3 would be AC coupled.
I have a Tesla model 3 and Tesla is (allegedly) bringing bi-directional charging to the table potentially next year so I could possibly use my car to supplement my storage, maybe
I live in florida with net-metering and no peak price differences. My main motivator is getting battered by storms and getting power knocked out a few times during hurricane season.
My Enphase quote is 28000 for 5 Enphase 5P's and my Powerwall 3 quote is 25,000 for two powerwall 3's
I would prefer my batteries to be inside my garage vs outside and space is a consideration as well although functionality and being "forward thinking" are higher priorities than space
If you were in my shoes, what would you choose?
Thanks for watching! Happy to help. Just a heads up, you would get 7.68 kW per PW3, so ~15.4 kW input capacity for the x2 PW3 set up. So no worries there.
It is hard to dispute the power, capacity, footprint and price point of Tesla. Enphase makes a really good battery too, but I’d lean Tesla here for sure. Especially since you’re already in their ecosystem.
If you’d like to discuss further on your situation in-depth, let’s book a call. I can even help review quotes you have if needed. calendly.com/infozachsolar/general
My system was net new so no existing micro inverters so went Tesla route with Powerwall 3 with 17.22 kW system- since we had 2 teslas. Love the single app integration as well as charge on solar option with Tesla (though you have to be parked at home during the day). It was also easy for them to set up whole home backup without having to move any existing circuits to a different critical loads panel. Only draw back is I don’t get granular details on each panel output or string with Tesla since it’s aggregated but can use a separate Tesla one app to get string info for diagnostics.
Interesting…..not sure why I got notification that my input/comments were not to your liking.
I follow many solar channels and if asking if a product is made in America 🇺🇸 is too rude/woke or whatever sorry.
I prefer to purchase American made products to help American workers period. People can buy Chinese/foreign made products that are more affordable and have a lower warranty.
Pretty confused
I’m sorry, but I didn’t do anything to your comments. Must be UA-cam 🤷🏻♂️
I agree with you. And we do use quite a bit of American manufactured solar products. The industry is definitely shifting that way!
@@ZachSolarall good man. Maybe a glitch I. The matrix Zack! Regardless, your content is solid and extremely informative.
I’ll continue to provide my input when required.
In appreciate you responding and weee good to go 🫡👍🏼✊🏼