Building the Best Solar Power System in 2024

[@rusticroads]

What are the stats for inverter failures? Now that both microinverters and string inverters have been around for a good long time, there should be some good stats for the rate of failure. I know that using microinverters create a situation where the chance that at least one will fail increases (albeit without taking the entire system offline), but with a string inverter, one failure brings down the entire system. The questions I'll be asking my contractor include that tradeoff, as well as how long it would take to get a replacement done, given parts availability and how long it will take for them to do the service call.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

Solaredge says that today their hard failures are very rare (around .02 %) that causes an inverter to need to be replaced (usually caused by age). Some things that can cause other issues like a temporary shutdown can actually be caused by the grid or grid wires or the transformer on a pole that may cause problems when selling power back over the grid, these type problems will even give Enphase or other brands problems that are grid tied like if the grid voltage is constantly too high or has random voltage spikes.

[@freeheeler09]

Joe, useful tutorial! Thanks!

[@irfanwaseh]

What is the rough price of point guard. Inverter only price ? Thanks

[@mikemcelveen]

You can install a soft start on your AC compressor to make it more inverter/battery friendly. It can greatly lower the max inrush current requirements of the AC.

[@allsolartexas]

We’re mainly installing Tesla and Sol-Ark string systems. We have the occasional Enphase IQ8 coupled with Franklin batteries.

[@ngana8755]

Do you have any videos on solar panel trackers? I read they may increase the efficiency of bifacial solar panels up to 45% over static bifacial panels.

[@invisiblesunenergy8359]

Absolutely go with something that doesnt lock you into a platform and has redundancy. Aka micro inverters.

[@bladerunner1458]

Thank you for the excellent review. I have a ground mount system with bifacial panels. Tesla three batteries being installed. I do have an existing backup generator. It runs a critical loads panel. Tesla power three battery cannot charge from the generator. If a long-term power outage occurs, I could run the generator to run critical loads scheduled as needed, so it won’t run continuously. Also I’m investigating an electric car option that could add battery capacity and have the capability Of charging and discharging when needed. Any thoughts?

[@maj-qm9qk]

Hey Joe: Thxs for the knowledge regarding Solar Power systems. Have u done any videos with recommendations for upgrading a NEM2.0 system under NEM3.0? Also, what to get reliable service for your Solar System if your installer goes out of business. Thxs.

[@seabream]

There are definitely videos on the channel about some options if your original installer goes out of business. I'm not sure about whether or not they've done ones on converting a system from NEM 2 to NEM 3. They have videos about NEM 3 and its effect on the industry, but I haven't watched them since I'm not in California so I don't know how far into things they went as far as effects on existing site operators.

[@mike_realityi]

Your feelings on White vs Black backing was interesting. We decided to go with White for 2 reasons. We would hardly see it on our roof on our 1 story Cape and it got us about 10 extra Watts on the panel, 415 vs 425 panels, for the same price. The panels also had black frames.

[@johnwehunt4305]

Microinverters have worked out very good. The Enphase IQ 8+ is a all around a good choice.

[@aaronharvey6406]

Hi, What’s your take on the EF ECOFLOW 12kWh Power Station: DELTA Pro Ultra with Extra Battery and their smart panel 2 as your whole battery system? Would you do a direct connection from solar panels to take advantage of the DC charging? Thanks.

[@SolarSurge]

I think EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra is a great choice. You'll want an electrician to help install the EcoFlow smart panel 2. Also, yes I would install solar using the high-voltage input to take advantage of self-consumption.

[@ShaneTheGeek]

Correctomundo on the premium module if you have smaller roof area and the premium panel will pay for itself over the life of the system.

[@stevesmith-sb2df]

I've talked to 4 installers and they are selling Tesla PW3 or Enphase. I thought there would be other vendor inverters recommended.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

Their reply's may depend on how you word your questions, those two you mentioned (Tesla and Enphase) may be the systems they like or prefer to install as it makes them more money or they have some sitting in a warehouse so they will always push to sell and install those first. Its not about what your installer wants to install but about what you want and what will work for you and your electrical needs and fits your money situation. If you like a hybrid brand like Solaredge or an Off Grid Inverter system you should ask them if they have installed any of that brand in the past and look for a reaction from the installer, very likely they will admitt that (yes we have) but they will probably follow that with (but we prefer to install) the Tesla and Enphase as mentioned and then they will try to convince you that you as the customer will be happier with (their choices) just as a car dealer will try to convince you their X brand car is better than the Y or Z brands.

[@simon359]

No more important decision than doing it yourself and saving a ton of money!

[@Engineerboy100]

Great information. Music beyond annoying 😒

[@RayJohnson1980]

Need new metric for accounting for panels cost, watts, and cm2 to get best results

[@BSnydr]

What happened to EG4?

[@hasslefree3527]

December 2023?

[@feedvid]

Great video! Please make an equivalent vid when the new products come out. Thanks. 👍

[@ClayBellBrews]

So you’re saying that when we have to choose between a solar contractor and a bear… choose the bear.

[@AudioScienceReview]

The DC from solar panels is at way too high a voltage and variable to be used directly to charge batteries. So you need a switching converter to bring that voltage down and regulate it. Similar switching converter can be used for AC input. As such, both incur losses due to conversion.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

Nope, Straight DC coupled string inverters like from Solaredge use a DC regulator to charge batteries straight from the solar panels that suffers nearly 0 losses, this DC regulator simply prevents batteries from overcharging and ensures safe and effective charging rates to the batteries, Solaredge charges batteries at a 99% efficiency rating. ------------- AC coupled systems like Enphase must be inverted back and forth between AC to DC and DC to AC and are much less efficient than DC string systems and especially Solaredge systems. It is said that Enphase loses approx. 10% effeciency on batteries (2 way inversion AC to DC and then DC to AC) so (a 10kwh Enphase battery you fully charge to 10kwh you only get back 8.9kwh back out) of the battery after it is changed back to AC.

[@boblatkey7160]

Well we've already been doing that for years whether it's AC or DC and the efficiencies are extremely high. I have an old-school off grid 24 V battery and I can take 550 V DC in from my solar array which is 500 feet away from my house (8 awg wire) and I can charge a 24 V battery at about 97% efficiency even though the DC voltage and current fluctuates greatly throughout the day. That is all done with a high voltage high amperage charge controller.

[@diskdrive123]

Dec 2023, meh I'm sure nothing changed in the last 9 months 🤔.

[@roslynandbobchauvin2378]

EG4 Inverters are pretty impressive price/performance.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, we just shot some videos of their new product lineup. Be on the lookout for those coming out soon.

[@peter-hr1gl]

You need to get away from just TALKING during your video's and switch it up to show full screen readable slides that provide information and illustrate your points. To just have you talk about the different systems is hard to follow and to be honest a bit boring. I want to see full screen side by side comparison data for these kind of presentations and if you do reviews of systems I want summaries of those systems to be shown.

[@IKidTheSolar]

OH, so endless videos comparing meaningless features and comparing "products" - but now in 2024- they need the best system- as if this new? Oh, and the "Solar Panel" is the LEAST important??? Really! Wow, that is just an absolutely ludicrous statement-please do not get your "knowledge" here. That's my advise. First Aesthetics??? Really? Pretty much all black??? Let's review this guys videos and every other company's imagery! I mean, this is truly rich this guy saying this- like it's some new idea. Still some installers??? ALl over the place! Google solar now and see for yourself what massive nonsense this is. Black Modules are not new and have been available for a decade+! "Cost"? "Pays for itself"??? "Cost Per Watt."??? Wow. "price per watt." that would give a better ROI??? There's no ROI!!! There is no I to R! All warranties are 25 years! It isn't a "premium" to have a warranty!!! I wish there was an off button that wasn't just for me!