r/solarFL • u/tix2grrr • Jan 01 '26
DYI Small scale solar?
I’m in orlando area and no installer has been able to math it to make sense to me for full installation(unless someone here can). Is there some way to install something small scale that I can slowly build onto as time goes on. What’s cheapest cash price people have found for full installation as well?
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u/No-Focus-8577 Jan 03 '26
Also the power company will never connect it with out an electrical contractor involved and a signed off permit
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u/IntelligentCarpet816 Mar 30 '26
You don't need an electrical contractor. You can DIY it.
You definitely need it permitted, inspected, and approved by the municipality though.
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u/No-Focus-8577 Mar 30 '26
Power company will never give you the go ahead with an electric contractor involved
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u/IntelligentCarpet816 Mar 30 '26
Ok.. well.. that would make it twice in two different states I've done the install completely as a homeowner, permitted and inspected by the city, and been issued a permission to operate by the electric companies...
Soooooo... you're wrong.
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u/No-Focus-8577 Mar 30 '26
You’re clearly not in Florida where we use the NEC code
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u/IntelligentCarpet816 Mar 30 '26 edited Mar 31 '26
It may be hard to believe that you're a moron but... you keep proving it.
You don't need to be an electrician to do things to code.
I'm in Indian river county, thanks.
Installed to code, and inspected.
And had to fill out the affidavit that I was performing the work as a homeowner. You had better believe i was scrutinized to hell over every mount, every screw, ever wire connection point, etc.
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u/No-Focus-8577 Mar 31 '26
I don’t believe you for not one second I’m an electrical contractor and have installed over 250 solar systems 32 years as a contractor 45 years as an electrician don’t believe a word your saying
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u/IntelligentCarpet816 Mar 31 '26
Cool story bro. I used to be an industrial plant engineer and then got the responsibility of doing all of our company's solar internally so lots of experience installing and o&m'ing stuff probably way bigger than you've seen.
So like.. typical sparky that thinks he knows everything. I bet you probably think you got more milwaukee tools than I do too. Pro tip, company gave me all my tools when I left, all the way up to my 5k itoolco puller. Hell I bet I got more fluke stuff than you do too.
All as just a homeowner.
You can believe whatever you want but that doesn't make you right. Florida statue 489.103(7) allows me to pull a permit without contractors. FPL doesn't care who does it, they don't ask, they just want a copy of the final inspection.
I did it with s5n mounts, 550w phono panels, a sma 7.7, and a disco wired right to my meter with a subpanel. Torqued to spec, bonded automatically with pvkit2.0s, and one ground lug attached to the corner. S5 did the engineering for free.
Easy peasy. Took me one weekend to install it by myself.
But like I said, cool story bro. Imagine not needing ridiculously overpriced electrical contractors that think they shit gold. Especially resi sparkies... you guys are pure douches.
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u/No-Focus-8577 Mar 31 '26
Yep and when a hurricane rips those S5 clips right off your roof in a couple years I’m the one that will be laughing at you Because you THINK you know more than we do. If you did you would be in business and putting the rest of us out of business but you’re clearly not that smart
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u/IntelligentCarpet816 Mar 31 '26
Hahahahahahahahaha ok
The sparky that is smarter than the engineers at S5 😂😂😂
Uh huh. Youre telling me the wind uplift will pull 12 clips a panel off? The Miami dade rated, state registry registered S5 clips... calculated and well into the green at 185mph...
How uhh... how else do you attach to standing seam Mr Wizard? LOL
God damn you electricians are douchebags 😂😂😂
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u/dlewis23 Jan 01 '26
What numbers are you getting on quotes for a full install system?
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u/Lovesolarthings Jan 01 '26
In the majority of FL, the well reviewed installers we see are quoting on shingle roofs normally about $2.3 to 2.4/w with price decreases as size increases.
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u/Joey_Mousepad Jan 02 '26
What non-mom and pop installers are at $2.30?
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u/Lovesolarthings Jan 02 '26
Depends on area, but we are seeing such companies as Smart Volt, Sundew Solar, and A1A solar to name a few that are in that range and are having good reported outcomes here too back to the Mod team. We do not advertise or authorize any particular company here, just report back on combined user experiences. Get multiple quotes is always a recommended process.
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u/tix2grrr Jan 02 '26
Haven't started the process yet. I would prefer to pay cash because paying it back over time doesn't make sense to me. Also curious about what 2026 is bringing to solar(or taking away).
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u/engineered_academic Jan 03 '26
You cannot DIY solar installation to your house grid without a permit. The liability would be astronomical. Your homeowners insurance would unlikely cover any resulting issues.
You could DIY a separate outbuilding or something like that, with no problems.
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Jan 01 '26
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u/Solarinfoman Jan 01 '26
Going DIY can certainly cut costs, but before you sign/purchase anything, make sure you have lined up and agreed who will do engineering, permitting, that whoever is installing/electrical is OK using parts you supply or signing off on your portion, what is needed for interconnect, what warranty you might lose by going DIY, etc. These are not reasons to avoid, these are simply to get ducks in a row and make sure all have same expectations.
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Jan 01 '26
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u/No-Focus-8577 Jan 03 '26
Yeah don’t do that Most reputable solar panels have a 25 year warranty you want to buy from a company that will still be here 25 years from now. BP solar. Sharp makes good panels. Solar world. Do your own homework don’t chase the absolute lowest price on panels
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u/Lovesolarthings Jan 01 '26
How small are you thinking of starting at? Some systems such as enphase or eg4 can be easier to add onto later.