We are installing solar panels on the institute and we’re doing it ourselves (see our blog posts on this topic here). If you’ve considered doing it yourself but want to get a little hands-on experience and an idea of the scope of the job before going forward, this workshop is for you. The federal tax deduction (30% of the cost of the system) goes down after this year, so if you’ve been on the fence, it might be a good idea to join us for the workshop to see what a self-installation entails.
We are not solar panel professionals, but we have gone through the process as a homeowner and general handy-person. This is a free workshop simply to get folks together to learn about what it is like to tackle a job like this on your own.
Workshop Details
This workshop will go over the basic installation process: attaching the rack system to the roof, affixing solar panels, wiring the panels, running conduit to the inverter, and plugging into the inverter, grid, and battery system. While we’re getting some hands-on experience, I’ll talk through the permit application, interaction with our utility company, and other considerations.
Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather and activity: close-toed shoes, gloves, pants, etc. We’ll have light refreshments available, but feel free to bring your own as well. We will be outside on a roof, unless the weather is particularly bad, in which case we’ll look through the interior workings of the system.
The workshop will take place at the Low Technology Institute (25 min south of Madison) on October 5, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. It is free, but please RSVP by sending an email to info@lowtechinstitute.org. Space is limited and we will keep a waiting list. Also, participants must fill out this liability waiver. Your RSVP is only complete when the waiver is filled out.
Donations are always welcome to help defray the cost of our workshops and programming. We are a member-supported organization.
Instructor
Scott Johnson is the director of the Low Technology Institute and a jack of all trades. He has taught the basic carpentry class as well as other workshops at the institute. While not a solar panel professional, he can probably point you in the right direction to find answers to questions he can’t answer already.