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Solar Educational Info


  • Vertical Bifacial Solar Panel Performance Results
  • DIY Home Solar System 4 Year Results
    In my video, I take you through my four-year journey with a DIY solar power investment. I discuss the decision to go solar, the hands-on installation process, and share insights into the system’s performance. I cover the variations in solar output, the current payback status, and introduce a new calculator for financial analysis.
  • How to Size Your Solar Panel System
    This is part one in a short series on planning your solar array. I explain how I sized my solar panel system. It would be good to follow for your DIY array or to confirm the proposal an install company is making to you is valid.
  • How Net Metering Works With Actual Data
    This video shows how a grid tie solar panel system with net metering works using actual data from my system. I show how the solar panel system payoff period changes dramatically based on having net metering and which type of net metering your utility offers.
  • Comparing Ground vs Roof Mount Solar Systems- Which Is Right For You?
    This video reviews the pros and cons for ground and roof based solar arrays and how to decide which one is right for you.
  • HOW TO GET A PERMIT FOR YOUR SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM
    This is a quick explanation on how to get a permit to install your DIY solar panel system. I show an example of the documents I used to get my permit, and all of the fees associated with the documentation.
  • Bifacial Solar Panels – The BEST Solar Panel? Real World Results!
    In this video, I test the performance of bifacial solar panels compared to standard ones, aiming to determine if the claims of up to 30 percent more power production from the backside exposure are accurate. I conducted tests with various conditions and found that bifacial panels consistently outperformed standard panels demonstrating their potential as a game-changing technology in residential solar systems.
  • Should you put BIFACIAL Solar Panels on the ROOF?
    In this video, I conduct a real-world comparison between bifacial and standard solar panels on a white roof. The bifacial panels showed an 11% to 16% increase in power production, depending on the setup, with the potential for even higher gains with appropriate spacing and reflection strategies. While bifacial panels can be a viable option for roofs, their advantages may vary based on factors like roof color, space availability, and cost considerations.
  • Bifacial Solar Panel Winter Performance Actual Results
    In this video, I show winter performance results comparing conventional solar panels to bifacial solar panels. During snowy and cloudy conditions, the bifacial panels showed an advantage, producing an average of 121% of the power of a conventional panel. However, on a bright, sunny day with snow cover, the advantage was less pronounced. The video also highlights the advantages of bifacial panels for shedding snow and mentions various suggestions from viewers to further enhance their performance.
  • Solar Panel Orientation Part 2 – South, South West, and West Equinox Results
    Mid-year (equinox) results comparing South, South West, and West facing solar panel performance. The direction your panels face makes a huge difference in the power produced through the year.
  • Solar Panel Orientation Part 1 – South VS West Facing Panels Winter Results
    Early results comparing South facing solar panels to West facing solar panels in the winter months. Including a comparison with the Sunny Boy string inverter and Northern EP microinverter.
  • 3 Solar Panel System Wiring Issues Resolved
    A quick look at 3 Solar Panel System Wiring issues brought up in the viewer comments. Grounding solar panels, looping solar wires and solar wire management with zip ties vs stainless steel clips.
  • Solar Panel Junction Box Upgrade With Dinkle DIN Rail Terminal Block
    To avoid a solar fire hazard I upgraded my solar panel junction box/ combiner box, replacing the wire nut connections with Dinkle DIN Rail Terminal Block connectors.
  • 4 Things To Know For Solar Where it Snows
    Four things to consider before installing solar in a place that gets snow. If you live in a climate that gets snow, you are probably wondering if it makes sense to install a solar panel system for your home. I have been through two winters with my DIY ground based 9kW home solar panel system, and it can produce solar power in snow. I’ll show you what happens when it snows and what to look out for. Just one note, if you live where there is a lot of snow consider very steep angles for your panels to help snow shedding.