A Bold Proposal: Installation of Solar Panels for My Home in Cypress, Texas

As I mentioned in a series of blog posts, we are going solar on our new home in Texas:

• A Bold Proposal: Solar Plans for My Home Energy in Cypress, Texas
• A Bold Proposal: Proposed Layout of Solar Panels for My Home in Cypress, Texas
• A Bold Proposal: Proposed Schedule for Solar Panels for My Home in Cypress, Texas
• A Bold Proposal: HOA Approval for Solar Panels for My Home in Cypress, Texas

With HOA approval in hand, it was time to move forward with the installation.

• Review Layout

  Freedom Solar Power re-measured the roof layout to make sure the panels would fit.

• Add SolaDeck Boxes

  Our system consists of 42 360-watt panels. These panels generate electricity that has to make its way to my circuit breaker box in my garage below. Rather than drill 42 holes in my roof, two SolaDeck boxes are used. The SolaDeck boxes house all of the wiring encased in flashing so that there are no leaks in the roof.

  

• Run Attic Wiring

  Freedom Solar Power ran the wire inside my attic and down the inside of the garage wall to connect the SolaDeck boxes to my circuit breaker box. They were careful to keep the wires away from attic areas that I use for storage.

  

• Add Rails

  Freedom Solar Power added the rails that will hold the solar panels. The system is rated to have the panels stay in place in the event of 140 mph winds.

  

• Add Panels

  On the South-facing roof, Freedom Solar Power installed 14 panels and connected them to a SolaDeck box. On the East-facing roof, Freedom Solar Power installed 28 panels and connected them to the second SolaDeck box.

  

With the installation complete, the next step is to get the system inspected by Centerpoint — the local utility company that supplies the electrical infrastructure. That could take 3 to 5 weeks depending on how busy the inspectors are.

Solar panel installation is alive in the lab.