In article
,
ls02 wrote:

Has anyone done DIY solar panel installation? Do federal and state
subsidies and credits still apply for DIY solar install? I live in
central NJ and researching possibility of solar panel. I am not driven
by green paranoia, only by economics. So if economics does not deliver
I will not do it.

From what I read and heard multiple times if solar panels are
installed by a pro even with all subsidies and credits it is still
very bad economic deal and it takes zillion years to recoup huge
investment. What I thought is good portion of this cost is
installation and if I can install them myself I could make numbers
align better. Any info on DIY solar install and personal experience
would be greatly appreciated.

If you come to usenet through a newsreader instead of google, more
people will see your post.

Local codes vary. Around here, you can't get subsidies/rebates unless
the equipment is on the approved list, and the installer is a licensed
contractor on the approved list. Also, different utilities have
different buy-back rates for grid-tied systems.

You have a lot of homework to do, but installed "dollars per watt" are
running about 10 here, while panel dollars per watt for
self-installation are readily available for about 3. So theoretically
you can bring the cost into the economically viable range by DIY.

I'm reasonably sure that it's illegal everywhere for anyone other than a
licensed electrician to actually tie your system to the grid.