View movie

Play / Download (help)

(280.3 M)Ogg Video
(281.2 M)512Kb MPEG4
(610.2 M)DivX

All Files: HTTP

Resources

Bookmark

Roderick YoungA Self-Installed, DIY, Grid-Tied, Photovoltaic (Solar) Panel Project (2006)

A middle-aged man with no prior experience decides to install photovoltaic panels on the family's roof. This home movie documentary captures some of the experience.

Despite low production quality, there is information that may be useful to someone contemplating a similar project. Naturally, the author makes no warranty that any of his advice is actually good, so this video should only be used as a starting point for your own research.

The production is also available on a DVD, with higher quality video and addtional content, including editable drawings. If you cannot burn your own, the author can send you one, most likely at no charge. Details are in the download.


This movie is part of the collection: Community Video

Producer: Roderick Young
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Language: English
Keywords: DIY; self; installed; solar; photovoltaic; panels; energy; electricity; power

Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Individual Files

Write a review
Downloaded 6,027 times Reviews
Average Rating:

Reviewer: kallisti5 - - March 12, 2011
Subject: Great video
A great video on *properly* installing your own solar power farm.

Even though this is a home video, the process is covered in detail and well presented / edited.

Everything is done properly, and the system was inspected. The only thing I see that may be iffy is the grounding of the panels as they do have quite a strong lightening risk.

Reviewer: mike90045 - - December 6, 2006
Subject: DIY, Grid-Tied, Photovoltaic (Solar) Panel Project
Wow,
This is beyond home movies, and is really usefull stuff. It took a lot of time and editing to put this together, and effort to make it freely avaiable.

Covers all aspects from buying to final permit sign off.

Credits

Background music obtained from "Dusty Porch" album by John Williams through Creative Commons License. Specific songs shown in credit roll of video.

Sound effect, "Tree Frog Concert" by reinsamba used by Creative Commons License. Details in credit roll.

Segments

Introduction
Research, Planning, and Tools
The Scheme
Parts Arrive
Inverter
Disconnect Switches
Service Panel
Conduit
Roofers
Installing the Standoffs
Flashing and Rails
Grounding
Junction Box
Installing the Panels
First Turn-On
Dedication
Utility Inspection
Costs
Retrospective
Credits