First Installation Photo Update

Guess who came to 158 North 15th Street? Yep, REC solar has already started the first installation of the Downtown San Jose Solar Project. I'll share a few pictures as they progress, so you can see what the process looks like. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have in the comments section below.







Our roof was on it's last legs, so we decided to get it done before installing the solar panels. Jose Jimenez from AMK roofing (408) 937 6972 came with the highest recommendation from a neighbor and he's lived up to it. His pricing is also excellent. He and his crew accomplished the tear off and half the install on day 1 and coordinated directly with REC to have them install the jacks. The jacks are bolted into the rafters and are what hold the rails and solar panels to the house. If your roof is in reasonably good shape, REC can install right over your existing roof.





Notice the yellow bunny suits. I think everyone on this project is as excited as we are to have the first installation completed, because they worked through and around some nasty weather. They also took great care to keep our house dry and themselves safe in the process. Here you can see how the flashing around the jacks relates to the roofing material.






Meanwhile on the ground, REC was installing the inverter, which converts DC to AC. Also pictured here is the DC switch closest and the Sun Run meter furthest away, by the PG&E equipment. The installers were very accommodating about how they installed the equipment and conduit, placing the inverter behind our gate and running the conduit in our crawl space to minimize visual clutter on our house. That said, it is important to put the inverter in a shadier spot as heat from too much sunshine will lower it's efficiency and life span.









Well that's it for this installment. Next week rails, panels and hopefully a really big sign on the front of our house that will track the number of houses that are going solar in our project!