training? We don need no steenkin training!

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

Check this doozer out! <a href="http://andalaysolar.com/cm/Andalay%20AC%20Video%20The%20Installation%20Video.html">[url=http://andalaysolar.com/cm/Andalay%20AC%20Video%20The%20Installation%20Video.html]http://andalaysolar.com/cm/Andalay%20AC%20Video%20The%20Installation%20Video.html</a>



Nice bit of safety training, eh? I especially like the bare wires at the end - plugged into a live array punching out AC current. Got suicidal-behavior insurance?



Akeena has partnered with Lowes in CA (for now) & Akeena's pres was quoted as saying the installation of PV is "no big deal".

Mark Eatherton

It's EASY... That's why they call it...

P.V. ;-)

I wonder how those plug in junctions will handle moisture over time?



I dunno.... Looks pretty shakey to me. I hope to gosh he hit the trusses on center with his anchor kit, 'cause if he didn't, his neighbor may end up with his solar panels on his Prius...



ME

scott markle_2

nice design

The integrated inverter and AC wiring is a very compelling feature. Better performance in partial shade, no DC wiring with it's losses and specific requirements. No panel to panel wiring, familiar ac wire, sounds pretty smart too me.



Is tying a breaker into a live panel a suicidal act? what makes you think the wire was live, there must be some kind of fuse or breaker at the array to protect the length of wire the guy was holding, perhaps it was disconnected.



Making something simple is not the same as saying it should be installed by idiots.

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

can't say, but...

Let's see - the panels each have a mini-inverter and, according to the video footage, they inter-tied them all together & the sun is shining. Picks up the tail & supposedly, again - by the video's admonishment, plugs it into the theoretical power system - only to come up short with a real potential short via raw ends of the wiring. Gee wiz, I don't know if it's on. Maybe they could wet their fingers, and grab onto the tails to see if it's "ON".



OK, maybe I'm being too obtuse, but if this is a promotional video for the product, it's far too loose with safety issues. No harnesses either? Looks like a pretty good fall-potential in the video.  



So much left unsaid - except for the implication that there's nothing to doing what it is we do. You just need to be "handy".



I'm OK with DIY sales at HD, Lowes & Menards, or the Internet. However, I'm not OK with giving unlicensed uneducated hacks a free pass to do the work without the same stringent requirements we face as pros to have these systems inspected and commissioned. Folks move every 7-years on average, so I don't agree with the notion that it's their castle to do with what they will when those safety and code violations get passed along to unsuspecting next-owners.  

Steamhead

This would be a good post

on the Darwin Awards site :-0

Mark Eatherton

Questioning design.

This reminds me of the ongoing argument regarding placement of the control zone valves in the mechanical room, or remotely at the point of use.



On one hand, contractors that prefer to home run their piping to the mechanical room will say "Would you want some technician groping around your bedroom to replace failed zone valves? Looking at your grandmas undies?"



On the other hand, from the stand point of first cost, having the valves placed remotely will save a significant amount of money for piping/distribution first costs of installation. Personally, I don't mind having to move a dresser or bed, or couch to access the failed item. So I am obviously from the remote valve camp.



However, I am not having to ladder up, and harness up and rope off to replace a failed zone valve motor. If an inverter fails in the middle of an array, it's not quite as simple as they would have you believe. You would have to UN do all the panels from one side of the array to get to the defective unit, and having to do this on a Spanish tile or concrete barrel tile roof would be a nightmare. In fact, if I come across one of these roofs, I refuse (at my insurance companies request) to put ANY foot traffic on these roofs...



And as we ll know, if it is mechanical or electrical, it WILL fail, when you need it most and expect it the least.



I will pay the extra cost of running the DC from the roof to the inverter pack and avoid having to dance with PV panels on any roof, thank you...



But that is just my humble opinion :-)



And I am willing to listen to arguments from the other side of the roof.



ME

Simply Rad

Simple and easy install

Drives me crazy when I hear that cuz nothing is simple to install, and why should it be if it provides years of operation. Quality takes time! I think you have to be careful with something that pushes the ease of install, come on that install took 2 1/2 minutes. You could install one system a day and then retire next year....who cares about or needs service. Like ME said try replacing the inverter when it goes is no SIMPLE AND EASY job. 



The thing that sticks out most to me in that video is standing on the panels.  Being the manufacturer I might allow it but I would never show it as installation procedure.  Next thing you know the crew is going to be eating their McDonald's on the array for lunch.



Jeffrey 

Dennis

Training?

Mark,

I don't think there is a problem with this system design, these things never break.

When is the last time you saw something need service?



I bet a lot of these manufactures of Green technology will never last long enough to process a warranty claim. Remember the oil crisis? How many energy saving product manufactures from those days are still in business?



The warranty is probably going to be 30 days or 30 seconds whichever comes first.