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Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Solar Site Assessment Tool

07 Dec 09 | Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, solar thermal

File under: Yeah, there’s an app for that.

Sun Tracker mashup

Sun Tracker mashup

I received an e-mail from Andrew about a Solar Site Assessment app for 3G iPhones.  I’ll let him tell the story:

I live in Vancouver, BC, when evaluating my own home for a solar installation I discovered a gap in the solar tools market. I have a lot of trees in my backyard and was interested in doing my own shade analysis assessment. So, I looked around and found expensive tools and manual sun plots, and nothing in between. At the same time my son happened to get an iPhone. I was intrigued with the built in compass and inclinometer capabilities, and putting two and two together I come up with an iPhone based solar assessment tool.

You can check out more at their website:

www.imeasuresystems.com/

I know in New York State, NYSERDA requires a site assessment be submitted for each application.  In order for a site to qualify for the NYSERDA rebates, it has to be 80% unshaded or more.  The rebates themselves are performance based, e.g. the better the site, the more the rebate.  This app has the ability to print out a site assessment, which is key.

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07 Dec 09 | Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, solar thermal | Comments (0)

Tools for the solar installer, Thermal and hot water systems

29 Apr 09 | Solar Hot Water

Solar thermal installers deal with a different set of tools than Photovoltaic.  Most solar thermal systems rely on some type of plumbing and pump system to move heat transfer fluid through a set of panels and back to a storage tank.  Solar thermal panels are generally larger and heavier than photovoltaics.  Drainback systems need to have all of the pipe slope back to the drainback reservoir.  All of these considerations require different expertise and working requirements.

Most solar thermal installations are placed on a south facing roof.  Often, a bit of carpentry is required to attach the solar collectors to the roof.  This is a basic list of power and hand tools for solar thermal installations:

  1. Claw hammer
  2. Small pry bar
  3. Hand tools including a full set of standard sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, diagonal cutters, etc.
  4. Medium and large pipe wrenches
  5. Medium and large channel lock pliers
  6. Vice grips
  7. 18 volt cordless drill
  8. Jig saw or reciprocating saw (AKA Sawzall)
  9. Hack saw
  10. Tubing cutter
  11. Right angle drill
  12. Spade type drill bit set
  13. Drill bit set
  14. Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM)
  15. MAPP gas torch, preferably something with a built in igniter
  16. Pipe cleaning supplies, flux, solder, etc
  17. Ridgid propress crimping tool
  18. 24 foot fiber glass extension ladder
  19. Small transfer pump
  20. Extension cords
  21. Work lights
  22. Garden hose, short and long lengths, plus Female/Female end adaptors
  23. Personal safety equipment such as safety climbing harness, safety glasses, heavy work gloves, etc.

In addition to the above tools, having all of the fittings and valves available on the truck saves a lot of time.  I always buy extra fittings because I know that I will eventually use them.  Having a spare pump and controller is also recommended.  These are the only active parts in a solar thermal installation and are thus the most likely to fail out of the box.

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29 Apr 09 | Solar Hot Water | Comments (0)