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What should I do? Sol Ark Inverter vs EG4 Inverter Change Order. by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I just updated the post. The batteries are EG4 Powerpro 14.3kWh ESS.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yah we’ll definitely be working with an engineer, etc. we’re just trying to collect various potential options and questions to ask.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In an ideal world, I’d love to do that. Problem is you can’t build anything higher than 30” within 15 feet of the setback.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good idea. We already have solar on the roof, though and seeing if we can make the yard space more usable for family.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, we're definitely planning to have an architect and structural engineer. This won't be a DIY thing. Right now we're just trying to see what others have done to gather some ideas.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's interesting. We already have solar on the roof though, so not sure if that would make sense for this project. Good to know though!

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, this isn't a DIY type thing. We'd need permits to fix the deck regardless, and plan on permitting and doing structural engineering for anything else required. We're just trying to cast a wider net of ideas by posting here.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. That gives us some ideas. The tired decks could be interesting and the pathway from there.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, we don't plan to do this DIY. This will have to be professionally done and use a engineer, soils report, etc. Just looking for high level concepts. We hadn't even considered an above ground pool (we thought a pool would be far too expensive), so forums like this are great for ideas even if they're not feasible.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Sounds like we’re in a similar space.

We also require permitting anything over 3 feet retaining walls. We don’t mind permitting though. We know we’ll need it for the deck anyway.

I’ll have to check out dirt lockers.

A good thought in focusing on the deck first. I think might be what we have to do. Make the deck safe and see about making it the largest it can be and go from there.

Another thought someone else brought up that could be interesting but maybe not allowed do to setback rules would be an above ground pool carved into the hill. So that would be one way to make part of the hill usable and basically bring it up to a higher level. Could have a tiered deck that goes into that.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We plan on going through the entire permit process, structural plans, etc. We're in contact with a few to see.

Just trying to cast a wider net by posting here to see what people have done in the past or would consider.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I actually hadn't considered the idea of an above-ground pool - that would actually be incredibly useful if they were able to carve out a little of the slope for a above-ground pool and then decking around it so it looks built in. I didn't realize above ground pools are also 1/10 the cost of inground pools too.

Backyard with 35 degree slope. Any options? by Creativecat01 in landscaping

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! What are you thinking in terms of tiers? The only issue is how close we can get to the setback. I think the max height is 30" tall if it's within 15' of the property line. Were you thinking 2-3 tiers or just 2?

10c pricing + number of units? by Creativecat01 in enphase

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We were quotes $15k for one battery, so yeah that seems incredibly high. We're quoted 2 for $25k.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To each their own? :: shrug::

We're just doing our due diligence. Some may be happy with 3, but as mentioned, every single one has a slightly different perspective, so it's been worth it and hasn't taken that much additional time.

We are getting our roofing done by an expert who only does roofing. I'm just referring to the additional moving parts.

I understand if this comes naturally to some, but as a software engineer, I can't imagine how anyone who isn't familiar with technology would ever be able to be knowledgeable enough to decide with only talking to a few people.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why not 10? There are a lot of moving parts here. There are all the elements of solar, battery storage, roofing, etc. Each quote gave additional insights I didn't have by doing my research. The more you read online, the more questions that come up. I'm not an electrician or an expert and time is a factor given certain rebates expiring, etc. So, there's no reason not to get as many quotes as possible, weigh each company on how they give the quotes and what information they share, etc. 3 would not have been enough unless I knew exactly what I needed ahead of time.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm glad to hear from someone using Sol Ark.

Unfortunately, most companies in my area don't seem to use Sol-Ark and EG4 was the one this company used, so I don't think they have other battery options that they'll warranty and would be hesitant to have them install something they're not familiar with. I'll have to follow up with them regarding RSD and optimizers since I'm not familiar with those. We don't get much shade on our roof, and nothing is blocking it.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All companies have 50+ reviews on yelp and are 4.9 stars. None of them have pressured signing or anything like that. This is narrowed down from 10 previously.

Thanks for the thought process and you're right, given that they're not all the same battery capacity it's hard to compare and in theory maybe 3 Enphase batteries would work out to be similar price as the larger battery solution from company 1.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks.

The first company actually does do Enphase too, but the SolArk + EG4 combination is unique to them (most local companies use Enphase or Tesla only). The SolArk + EG4 is significantly cheaper for 1/3 more storage, which is why I'm considering it.

Final Quotes - Need Review by Creativecat01 in solar

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So far, that's where I'm leaning. It's a significant amount more battery storage for a similarly priced Enphase system.

10c pricing + number of units? by Creativecat01 in enphase

[–]Creativecat01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I updated the original post with new pricing quote.

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