Is MOT a good provider for Solar installation? Is there someone better? I'm in Houston.
Thank you,
David
I suppose you are looking for someone fairly close to Houston, since travel right now is difficult due to the Pandemic. Can't help you there...
But, if you can wait until things finally settle down and return to a semblance of "normal", and you don't mind taking a road trip, then I would offer two recommendations. You can search this Forum for comments (pro and con) on these vendors.
AM Solar: RV Solar Panel Kits & Camping Solar Panels, Batteries & Chargers: AM (https://amsolar.com)
Solar Mike: The Sun Works (http://www.thesunworks.com/index.htm)
I have not heard of them doing a solar install but call to find out. While it might seem like a big project it is just one piece at a time. Many of us have done it ourselves. You will get lots of opinions here and the help you need as well.
I'm with Roger on this. It's installing pre engineered modules using good practice. Perfect DIY. Do your research and go to it.
Talked to Solar Mike in Slab City a month or so back, he said he is retired.
I get all my stuff for my jobs from Windy Nation for years.
Great prices, good service.
Get your own wire at Home Cheapo, make your own brackets in 15 minutes with aluminum angle
Don't buy "RV solar panels", or "RV solar kits. Your just paying more because "RV" (read $$$$$$) was added to the same thing!
Cheap as chips
Windy Nation (https://www.windynation.com/)
I did my own. I would do it again but "aluminum brackets in 15 minutes" is not my experience. I ordered materials from AM Solar, which helped me with design questions; Home Depot; Windy Nation; and misc Amazon sites along with odds and ends from local hardware store. Suggest you watch all the videos on AMSolar. Even if you don't do it yourself you will be a more knowledgeable consumer. Some amazing installs here on forum. You will also finds lots of opinions. Bay Marine also highly regarded for solar equipment. I really like the integration possible with Victron and the use of Bluetooth. If you feel uncomfortable working on your roof, you will need some outside help. I spent many hours on internet learning the vocabulary, design basics, and reading manufacturers' data sheets along with installation instructions.
I did mine in 3 steps copying Rogers system from the panels to the controllers. Rogers pictures and some mounting hardware from AM Solar. First stage was 3 panels, one controller. Second stage was 4 panels one controller. Final stage 7 panels 2 controllers and 2100 watts on the roof all in parallel. Some conversations with Pierce and Roger convinced me it was DIY.
Mine were installed by AM Solar as well.
I recommend using marine grade wire that is tinned vrs home Depot. Go to genuinedealz (https://www.genuinedealz.com/) for great pricing.
While it's a good diy project, some caution is advised since your working on the roof. Plenty of videos on YouTube.
A metal fabrication shop nearby makes panel mounts for me. The piece that mounts on the roof is 12" long, big enough for a 12"x1-1/2" strip of 3M VHB tape. It is bent at 92° so that when mounted on the curved roof the vertical flanges are parallel at a standard panel spacing. The reason for this is to ensure the best possible VHB tape contact and adhesion. A 90° angle attaches to that. The bottom flange of the panel frame is bolted to the second angle. The vertical flange also captures the side of the panel frame. You can set the spacing from the roof as you wish.
A full 12" mount allows you to use both mounting holes in the panel frame at each corner. You could use a 6" version and only use one mounting hole. The VHB tape on 12" mounts at each corner gets you a total of 6552 lbs of vertical tensile strength, that is over 1600 lbs at each corner.
They are made with 1/8" aluminum and cost me about $12 per corner. 6" version would be less.
Craneman is a great example of DIY at it's best. I've looked at his smart phone link to his controller and could see he was making enough juice for our whole loop at O'Ridge, June Lake.
Pierce