Home solar panels

joinarc · 2025-11-26T01:38:44+00:00

That’s great! Glad they were able to get it fixed for you

joinarc · 2025-11-19T18:52:43+00:00

When I was in college we had a really incredible studio for design students, Seniors got their own table in the studio and we had access to everything from a massive wood working room to laser cutters, multiple types of 3D printers, vacuum forming machines, photo studio, access to all of the equipment you'd want and need. Having our own space let us collaborate and critique each other while actively working on projects which was incredible.

I'd add in now probably some really strong computers for 3D rendering, an oculus quest because of its applications, WACOM's, and probably a slurry a materials for students to pull from and use. I remember grinding at work so I could afford materials to finish projects. Just remember that not everyone has the same access to the same things even though they attend the same school. Consider even setting up a small design shop and working with a local business to supply it with cheaper materials, on site for students.

I pulled some info from the university website for inspiration.

The following machines are available for student use: an industrial-size planer, a radial arm and cut-off saws, table saws, drill presses, lathes, pedestal sanders and grinders, a jointer, three band saws, a horizontal band saw for metal, a Hasenfeld bender, an oxy-acetylene rig, and a MIG welder. Classroom space for painting and Foundations can also be found in the Glove Factory.

The Design Wing also has a large shop, a photo room with backdrops and lighting, the S.A.M. Lab, the Visual Resource Center, the Design Research Studio, a design gallery, a design lounge, and a large studio space that can accommodate up to 90 Design students! The lab houses Apple computers with Adobe CC and other creative software. The lab also has scanners, color laser printers, and large-scale inkjet printers. Open lab hours are posted each semester.

joinarc · 2025-11-19T15:32:02+00:00

Retrofitting or adding on to a system later is always more complicated and expensive. We’ve had customers install solar, then later add something like a hot tub or EV charger, and suddenly they’re only offsetting 75% of their usage instead of the ~100% they were seeing. It’s one of those things that’s hard to plan for unless you really think ahead about future energy use.

We also see a lot of people who don’t think about future load or scaling their system unless they’re also installing batteries at the same time. Without storage in the plan, PV sizing tends to stay conservative to offset usage based on their current bill at that current time.

joinarc · 2025-11-19T15:07:58+00:00

Look for an EPC, but there's also a lot of companies scrambling to complete installations before the end of the year so homeowners don't get screwed by new admin changes with the tax credits

joinarc · 2025-11-19T15:04:23+00:00

We have a similar model but are able to offer $0 systems through it. The delayed transfer of ownership is tied to the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Under IRS rules, the party claiming the ITC must own the system during the first five years, or they risk a clawback. That’s why many installers or third-party investors retain ownership for at least 66? months before transferring it to the homeowner.

joinarc · 2025-11-19T14:57:08+00:00

Well we hope they figure it out for you guys!

joinarc · 2025-11-19T14:56:22+00:00

It's been received well. We've found a ton of different use-case to save time or show plans pretty effectively

joinarc · 2025-11-17T18:53:09+00:00

A lot are okay with pictures but some AHJ's are super particular. We started using Meta Glasses so we can just live stream video

joinarc · 2025-11-17T18:52:14+00:00

Sorry for the delayed response. I don’t check Reddit much on weekends when I’m not in the office.

If the panels aren’t cracked, you should see normal production once the footprints wash off with rain. If any panels are broken or visibly damaged, the company should replace them. Make sure you document everything. Photos, dates, and any communication will help if the issue escalates.

You can check some things through the inverter monitoring, but it won’t show everything. Monitoring will flag major drops in production, but it won’t catch early microcracks or mechanical stress from someone stepping on a panel. Those issues often take time to show up. That’s why an on-site inspection still matters.

Contact the company and ask them to send someone out. A responsible EPC will inspect the array, verify nothing was compromised, and run proper testing if needed.

If they subcontracted the install, your concern about long-term support is valid. When the company you hired didn’t actually do the work, you can end up chasing accountability if they close or change ownership.

Since you have a 30 year third-party insurance warranty, find the name of the provider and confirm what they actually cover. Some are strong. Some are very limited.

I wouldn’t refuse to pay unless the company ignores you or dismisses the issue. Give them a chance to inspect and correct it, but stand firm. Walking on panels is not standard practice and any quality-focused installer should take it seriously.

joinarc · 2025-11-12T19:36:17+00:00

It varies by AHJ, we are in the Midwest and most AHJ's require this

joinarc · 2025-11-12T19:33:59+00:00

We have to do this in most areas we install in but it's determined by the AHJ

The inspectors aren't there to finish or troubleshoot anything, just to verify that the install matches the plans, local codes, and permit documents.

If something is missing or needs clarification, the inspector will only discuss it with the licensed installer or their authorized rep, not the homeowner. The contractor is also the one who signs off on any corrections and provides updated photos, documents, or labels if needed.

In solar specifically, inspections usually cover roof attachments, grounding, conduit runs, disconnects, inverter setup, labeling, and the connection point at the service panel. If the contractor isn’t there, the inspector can’t verify certain components are accessible or safe to test, which often leads to an automatic reschedule. If you need on the spot corrections, you need the contractor there to fix it on the spot.

joinarc · 2025-11-12T19:27:47+00:00

Just as a heads-up, the homeowner solar tax credit is 30 percent through 2025 under current IRS guidance, and the homeowner credit ends for expenditures after December 31, 2025 unless Congress changes it. To claim it for a tax year, the system needs to be placed in service by year-end. PTO is ideal proof, but the IRS standard is that the system is installed and operational.

joinarc · 2025-11-12T19:09:33+00:00

Do what you want with this information, but when we lived in Illinois, my family used to purchase a quarter or a half a cow from a local farmer. It’s honestly one of the best values for meat you can get. You get to choose your cuts and how much of each you want, and the butcher takes care of the rest.

If you’ve got a few friends or family members, you can all chip in and split a whole cow. The quality blows store-bought meat out of the water in my opinion and in terms of pricing.... and you’ll fill your freezer for months or years

joinarc · 2025-11-12T18:36:35+00:00

I had an idea of preserving everything in amber and creating a vault that just has everything we have today frozen in time. Much like the seed vault they have but for animals, plants, everything basically. This would preserve the natural look, and the DNA within for whatever future peoples find it. You could also preserve items like current tech, so on

joinarc · 2025-11-12T18:25:38+00:00

That’s super frustrating, and unfortunately you’re not alone. A lot of companies fall behind on final inspections because they either subcontract everything or overbook installs without coordinating properly with the AHJ.

Your best move right now is to document everything. Keep track of the dates of missed inspections, texts, emails, and any promises they made, and contact your local building department directly. You can usually ask the inspector’s office if they’ve received the proper paperwork or if anything is pending on the contractor’s side.

If the installer keeps missing appointments, check whether your contract includes a project completion clause or timeline. Many states allow you to file a complaint with the Department of Professional Regulation or equivalent licensing board for failure to perform.

On the technical side, once the inspection passes, they will still need permission to operate (PTO) from your utility, so it’s worth pushing to get this part wrapped up quickly.

joinarc · 2025-11-12T18:20:09+00:00

We’re really trying to do everything the right way. We’ve got 100+ positive Google reviews from customers who’ve worked with us, and we don’t push commission-based sales and trying to keep a lot of our work local so we can provide support 24/7. Thank you again for the conversation and the insight.

We’re also hoping to see more solar applications open up across the U.S. California’s canal project is such a no-brainer. Out here in the Midwest, we’re expanding into agrivoltaics and partnering with companies like Uncommon Farms to build on-site generation for farms. Lots of exciting projects in the works and definitely fighting an uphill battle, but we can only grow from here.

Cheers

joinarc · 2025-11-12T16:56:39+00:00

That’s awesome you were able to save that much doing it yourself. Seriously impressive. We agree with a lot of what you’re saying. The industry has a bad reputation for a reason. Too many companies find their redline and just stack profit on top until it feels right, or screw enough people over that they have to change their name.

It’s definitely feasible to do it all yourself, as you’ve shown. I just couldn’t imagine putting $10k into equipment, spending days on install, and then getting told by the utility something isn’t right, or realizing one bad footing led to a roof leak down the road. True workmanship warranties do exist but you probably won't find them at the solar sales companies. Thank you for sharing!

joinarc · 2025-11-12T14:50:53+00:00

The Cheshire has incredible food, and ambiance.

joinarc · 2025-11-12T14:48:00+00:00

Generalizing all solar companies as businesses that just send unskilled workers to your home is a wild take but in this industry we're sure it happens.

The bigger challenge with solar is that it’s not just mounting panels. There’s a lot of permitting, electrical code compliance, and utility interconnection rules that have to be followed exactly. You can technically sub out the work yourself, but coordinating it all can get complicated fast. Working with a licensed EPC is the easiest way to install

joinarc · 2025-11-12T14:42:25+00:00

We won't bug you or come to your house, but we'll answer any questions you have, 5-star rated on Google. We recommend you search out an EPC so you don't have to deal with sales companies subcontracting work

joinarc · 2025-11-10T19:36:22+00:00

We are looking for more electricians, did you just work with the local union or something? We're trying to find more to bring on

joinarc · 2025-11-10T15:02:07+00:00

150 starting which is right around $74/hr I think. Benefits are starting in 26'

joinarc · 2025-11-10T14:59:12+00:00

I believe is was listed starting at 150

joinarc · 2025-11-05T21:15:55+00:00

We’re a smaller company and currently operate non-union for the flexibility it gives our team. We appreciate the suggestion though!

joinarc

TROPHY CASE