Jersey Solar, LLC – A Review
My wife got our first referral call from a potential customer of Jersey Solar, LLC. I guess it’s time for me to summarize and do a review and recommendation.
I’ll do this by breaking it down, and giving a grade (A, B, C, D, F with + and -) to all areas.
Initial Communication – A- – I searched for residential solar installers mainly online. One striking thing that I found was that Jersey Solar was mentioned in ALL of the residential solar case studies on the NJ Clean Energy Program website. I had also contacted Astropower and they referred me to Jersey Solar. The only reason for the minus on the grade is that my referral from Astropower was lost when Jersey Solar’s computer failed and it was a few months before they contacted me. I also looked at websites for NJ residential solar installers – Jersey Solar didn’t have one but the ones that I did find for others were out of date and low quality. I did speak with Jersey Solar in late November, but didn’t schedule a free site survey until December because I had to convince my wife to go forward.
Site Survey – A – Rick Brooke scheduled my site survey at a time convenient to me – I think it was a workday evening but it might have been a Saturday morning. (I really don’t remember now.) He came and the first thing he did upon getting out of his truck was to check the compass direction to figure out where to put the panels. He and I did a walkaround of the house, followed by an indoor inspection of the electrical breaker box. We then sat down in the dining room to talk. Rick was saved from a trip to the roof on this visit for measurements by the fact that I had copies of the original blueprints for the house – he got his measurements from them. We discussed various options and manufacturers including the merits of battery backup. We also talked about working in the township and his prior experience here. In the end, I requested two estimates – one with battery backup and one without. Rick left brochures for some of the equipment to help illustrate the concept.
Estimate – B – I received the estimate in the mail about a week after the site survey. The estimate was for a single total dollar amount, along with the estimated state rebate and my net cost. I got those numbers for each of the two options presented: a Sharp system with no battery backup (which we installed) and an Astropower system with battery backup. Brochures for both the Sharp and Astropower systems were included. The state rebate application was included with Jersey Solar’s information and all of the technical information completed – I just had to complete my information and mail it. I ended with with a grade of B here for two reasons: the estimate was not detailed and it would have been nice to receive something with more information on how the system would be installed (what components go where, etc). Rick encouraged us to go ahead and apply for the rebate even if we were unsure about whether to proceed – we weren’t locked in by applying.
Post-Estimate Support – A – For about a month, we pondered the estimate. My wife had many questions (as an engineer and homeowner) and Rick did his best to answer them. He provided sample wind loading calculations and wiring diagrams when asked. He was able to produce some information on the effect of solar power on property values. He answered every question during this period within a few days. Once we received the rebate approval, we waited another week to finally decide and then sent our first 1/2 payment to Jersey Solar.
Pre-Installation Period – C – This is the one area where Jersey Solar fell down. We were given estimates of installation dates (very rough – like “I think we can install mid-March”) that proved to be incorrect. We had told Rick that the Hamilton Township Planning department was very difficult to deal with on any project, and that he should contact them to see what was necessary. Rick chose not to do so, assuming that the process should run “just like every other town”. There were some discrepancies between the dates that Rick told me that events occurred or would occur (like the day that the permit was/would be applied for) and the actual dates – usually no more than 2 weeks. Rick also attempted to schedule installation based on the township’s verbal estimate of processing time for the permit – and then failed to check on the status of the permit from his vacation. This caused us to take vacation time for the installation that ultimately didn’t happen. I feel that communication with the customer every 2 weeks on a 4-5 month project is appropriate – even if there is no new information. Instead, Rick seemed to be annoyed by our requests for status every 3 weeks or so. The permit was initially denied, but later approved after Rick reminded the township of a mayoral executive order to expedite renewable energy permits. Rick did a good job of staying close to the township and the township attorney until a copy of the executive order was found. Towards the end of the Pre-Installation phase, Rick’s communications did improve in frequency and amount and accuracy of information.
Installation – A+ – Once the installation began, Jersey Solar really shined. The estimates of the time required to complete the installation were right on target. The panel installation took 5 working days – one day longer than the original estimate of 4 days due to rain on the first day. The installation team was very good about allowing a reasonable amount of nosiness by us about the equipment, process and schedule. We were allowed to take pictures – most of which appear on this site. The installation was done with no damage to the house or property, and with an eye towards being aesthetically pleasing. This included hiding the wiring conduit behind an existing gutter, centering the panels on the roof, making a minimum number of holes in the side of the house for wiring and using cardboard beneath the ladder feet at all time to avoid damage to the sidewalk and lawn. My neighbors have mostly praised the look of the installations, with reactions between “It’s really cool” and “It looks a lot better than I thought it would”. The site was reasonably clean every night, with no packaging material strewn about. We were asked if we could take care of recycling the cardboard packaging – I am sure that Rick would have taken it away for us if we declined. All of our questions were answered along the way. The equipment worked on the first try once minor issues were resolved. We were left with a functioning system after installation running in “test” mode until the township and NJCEP inspections were completed. At the writing of this review several months later, we have still had no problems even after severe winds and weather (though no winter weather yet). The system takes care of itself. I was told by the NJCEP inspector that the inspection would be a formality, because “Rick does excellent work.”
Inspections – A – Rick had done a sufficiently good job of explaining the system to me that his presence at the township and NJCEP inspections was unnecessary. Rick was available by telephone at the time of the inspections, and this was nearly required for the township electrical inspector. Neither inspector had any issues with the installation that didn’t involve the inspector’s ignorance regarding solar power.
Post-Installation – A – At this point, we have had no need for service. However, Rick stayed involved with our interconnection process with PSE&G and made a call on our behalf to get permission to use the system after the meter was replaced, but before we received the written agreement back (which STILL hasn’t happened yet). Rick has also sent communications to all of his customers regarding the new Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) trading market. It’s clear to me that the relationship with Jersey Solar doesn’t end with the installation.
OVERALL – A- – Except for the pre-installation period, my experience with Jersey Solar, LLC was positive. They got all of the important and lasting parts right – the only downside was some temporary discord. The installation was completed cleanly, right the first time, and in a manner that shows the best face to potential customers.
I would recommend Jersey Solar, LLC to other residential solar customers.
Solar Installation Site Index
On May 25, 2004 the installation of solar panels on our house in Hamilton, NJ was completed.
This index lists all interesting entries for this project. Click the links below to go directly to that article.
The System We Chose (Jan 28, 2004) (NOTE: Some technical details changed later.)
A Little About Us (Jan 28, 2004)
How It Will Work (Jan 29, 2004) (NOTE: We ended up not using a sub-panel.)
Some of The Components (Feb 3, 2004) (NOTE: We ended up with the 175-watt cousin of the 185-watt panels mentioned here)
Switching Panels (“Latest Update”) (Mar 29, 2004)
Permit Delays (“More Delays”) (Apr 8, 2004)
Township Permit Issues (“Yet Another Update”) (Apr 23, 2004)
Permit in Hand! (Apr 29, 2004)
INSTALLATION Day 1 (May 3, 2004) – PICTURES – setup
Homeowner’s Insurance and PV Systems (May 3, 2004)
INSTALLATION Day 2 (May 4, 2004) – PICTURES – rail installation
INSTALLATION Day 3 (May 5, 2004) – PICTURES – roof wiring
INSTALLATION Day 4 (May 6, 2004) – PICTURES – most of the panels
INSTALLATION Day 5 (May 10, 2004) – PICTURES – last panel, wiring conduit
INSTALLATION Day 6 (May 18, 2004) – PICTURES – inside electrical, installation complete
Final Cost Roundup (May 20, 2004) – includes payback information
Inspections (May 25, 2004) – township and NJ Clean Energy Program
Phone Line Installation (Jun 8, 2004)
New Meter Installation (Jun 10, 2004) – PICTURES
Reading the Meter, PSE&G Billing (Aug 4, 2004)
Jersey Solar, LLC – A Review (Aug 27, 2004)
In addition to those entries, there are many other “still waiting” entries, entries about other people’s installations, and entries containing my thoughts on solar energy topics. You can most easily find those by choosing an Archive month link at the left.
New Meter
As I mentioned below, the new phone line was installed for our electronic meter. I called from it to my house the other day, and “PSE&G” came up on caller ID.
Today, I called and a machine answered with a single beep! I think we may have the new meter installed. I won’t know for sure until I get home tonight. If that’s the case, we may be able to turn our solar panels on as soon as tomorrow (or even today).
I’ll try to post pictures tonight, as long as there isn’t a severe thunderstorm going on when I get home (they are calling for one).
UPDATE: They did install the new meter. Here it is:
The meter is a replacement of the old mechanical meter. Also, the box attached to the lower left corner of the meter box is new – I think it includes the modem. It’s locked, so I can’t tell for sure.
This is a close-up of the new meter. I have no idea what the things on the screen mean – I’ll have to do some digging on the net to find out.
We are now waiting for verbal permission (to be obtained – hopefully – by our installer through his contacts tomorrow) to turn the panels on. At some point soon, we should receive the signed interconnection agreement and we can turn them on then anyway.
Phone Line Installed
Verizon installed the phone line yesterday – 1 day shy of 2 weeks after I mailed the PSE&G interconnection agreement, and about 1 week after they cashed my check.
They installed what seems to be a POTS line (normal, dial tone line) with a local phone number. Verizon left a modular station wire attached to the telephone network interface with the phone number written on the baggie.
I guess that this means that PSE&G can install the meter any day. Looking at their tariffs, there’s a chance they might wait until my next meter-reading day – which should be June 20 or thereabouts. Or, maybe I’ll come home tonight and find it done.
Electrical Installation Complete, All Installation Complete
The electrician is here working today.
UPDATE: It’s all done.
Inside the Basement
This is the wall in the basement before anything.
This is the blank wood before installation of components.
The inverters (top) and DC disconnect switches (bottom) are installed.
Here are the inverters with their covers on, and the switches partially wired.
Here’s the completed installation in the basement. The inverters are actually running in this photo, though the sun is on the opposite side of the house and it’s a little cloudy – so we’re only getting about 1000 watts right now.
This is the label from the side of one of the inverters.
Here’s the open electrical panel, showing the new breakers at the bottom on both sides.
Here’s the completed panel, including warning label.
Outside at the Meter
This is the initial installation of the wires. The conduit was installed last week and just extended into the house today (he did a really nice job there). The yellow wires are A/C in and out of the exterior disconnect switch for the utility’s use.
Here are the disconnect switches partially installed.
Here is the completed product – utility disconnect switches – outside (except for required labelling).
And here are the required labels on the disconnect switches.
All work is complete! YAY! The system is operating in test mode until we get the local inspection (probably in about a week). Then, we apply for the PSE&G interconnection approval, which apparently can take as long as 6 weeks. The system will be turned off between the inspection and PSE&G approval.
The meter REALLY DOES turn backwards. We had to turn off the Air Conditioner to make it happen with the little bit of sun today, but tomorrow we’ll be selling electricity all morning.
Upcoming Events
On Tuesday, May 18, we will be installing the electrical portion of the project. The day should end with the system operating in test mode. The system will continue to operate in test mode until the inspections.
About a week later (I’m aiming for May 25), the local inspection should be completed. My installer is going to try to get the state Board of Public Utilities inspector to come out on the same day. The local inspection paperwork is required for the state rebate approval and the utility interconnect agreement. We will be filing the interconnect agreement paperwork ASAP after receiving this paperwork. The rebate approval will release the rebate payment.
After we file for the interconnection agreement with PSE&G, they will process it. I’m guessing that this will take 2-3 weeks. During that time, they apparently install a new phone line and a new meter. The phone line is connected to a modem attached to the new meter. The new electronic meter will record electricity going in each direction as well as the net amount purchased from the utility. Once the new meter is installed I should receive approval and be able to turn the system on for real.
Roof Work Complete
Today, the last of the roof work was completed. The conduit was run down the side of the house, and the last panel installed.
Here are the real final roof pictures.
Here’s the front view. Note that the steppers are gone. (NEW picture taken without the sun behind the house.)
Here’s the side view – shows off the panel color really well. (NEW picture taken without the sun behind the house.)
Can you see most of the conduit from the street? I don’t think so …..
That’s because they hid it behind the gutter. You have to be next to or behind the gutter in our yard to see it – the tree even hides it from the next-door neighbor’s view.
We can even paint it later.
I’m looking into the order of events for the rest of the project. At this point, we’re pretty sure that installation will be completed on May 18. However, we have a few rounds of inspections after that.
Panels on the roof!
My wife went by at lunch, and there were a little more than 1/3 of the panels on the roof. By the end of the day, all but one panel were installed.
The Finished Product
This is the finished product.
This is the end of day picture from another angle. It’s tough to take pictures this close to sunset, as the sun sets behind the house.
I think they left the last panel off so that they can finish the wiring when they come back on Monday. No work until next Monday, and it looks like they’ll finish then.
Work in Progress
This is the house as it appeared at lunchtime.
The men at work.
More Hardware Pictures
Here’s what the back of a panel looks like.
Here’s the label from the back of the Sharp NT-175U1 panel.
This is a better cross-section of the upper rail (the one the panels are mounted on).
Schedule
On Monday, they should run the conduit down the wall (behind the downspout) to the basement. Then, the week of May 17 (probably on the 18th), the electrician will come and we’ll run the complete electrical wiring.
Installation – Day 3
Today, a few “getting ready” steps occurred before the panels were installed.
Holes were drilled in the mounting rails for brackets and wires.
The ground wire was installed, linking the rails. The rails will eventually be tied to the house ground in several places.
The brackets for the panels were installed in the rails, to be relocated when the panels are installed.
Tomorrow, they expect to install panels.
This is the house on day 3. Note the wires and brackets sticking out of the rails.
This picture shows a close-up of the rails and wires. The loops of wire are loose and we’re about to get a thunderstorm – I hope they stay on the roof!
I believe that the copper-colored wires are the ground, tied to the rails underneath the rail.
More to come tomorrow!
Today’s Installation Progress
My wife stopped by at lunchtime. They had a few of the mounting rails installed. If I remember correctly, they will be installing wiring after the rails are installed. Tomorrow or Thursday should see the first panels installed.
By the way, the “before” pictures are found at this location: Before Pictures.
Update 6pm: It appears that they’ve finished installing the mounting rails. Tomorrow, they should be finishing that and installing the in-track wiring.
Here are some pictures.
This is a picture of the house with the rails in place. (Sorry about the sun glare)
Here are the guys installing the rails.
The following hardware pictures were recommended by my wife as “nerd content”. She did agree that it takes one to know one! Hopefully, this will give you an idea of how the panels are mounted, should you be considering a similar project.
This is the lower rail. These are installed perpendicular to the mounting rail and are attached to the roof with a lag screw into the rafters. Asphalt sealant is used to prevent leaks.
This is the upper mounting rail in cross-section. These are the long rails. The open side is mounted facing up.
The thingie on the left is the inter-module clip. It is inserted into the upper mounting rail (the flat part at the bottom slides in) and the top is tightened against the panel itself. The thingie on the right is used to lock the upper rail to the lower rail. It slides over the top of the lower rail, and a nut and washer are bolted through a hole in the upper rail. The lower rail prevents the upper rail from shifting from side to side, and the bolts along the length of the upper rail prevent it from shifting up and down along the lower rail. The suspension above the roof allows for airspace below the panels for cooling and to prevent unwanted wind effects.
More pictures tomorrow – maybe with the first panels in place.
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