Hi there! I'm a 35-year-old business owner from Portland, OR, and I run a print shop that racks up around $2,000 a month in electricity bills. I own my building, which has a flat roof that sees a lot of sunshine, and I'm interested in installing solar panels to cut costs. I'm curious if there are any DIY communities in Portland that could share knowledge on how to do this affordably, as I'm trying to avoid the typical $40,000 installation fees. Is setting up solar panels on my own a feasible option?
4 Answers
Definitely! Here are some steps to get you started on your DIY solar project:
1. Find a permit provider—there are plenty of online services. Someone from a Facebook DIY solar group helped me with mine for around $300, including engineering stamps.
2. Apply for interconnection with your utility.
3. Get a permit from your local township.
4. While you're waiting, see if you can find a solar tech who might want to help out as a side job.
5. Once you have your permit, buy the hardware. It's best to source panels and racking from a local supplier as it tends to be cheaper and more convenient.
6. Finally, schedule inspections and get your permission to operate (PTO)!
Just so you know, doing DIY electrical work in a commercial space can be tricky due to stricter codes. While homeowners sometimes have more wiggle room, businesses usually have to follow tougher regulations for public safety. Make sure you're clear on what's allowed before you invest anything!
Totally agree! Many places require licensed pros for commercial electrical work, so it's important to be aware of local laws before moving forward.
Check out YouTube for tons of videos on solar installation. Just a heads up, though—most places require any electrical work on commercial buildings to be done by professionals. Be sure you look into the local regulations before diving in!
You might want to reach out to ABC Seafood on Powell. They have solar power to run their tanks and might share some insights with you!
Would a partial off-grid system be a better option, though? I'm considering setting up ground-mounted panels at home to feed a battery storage. The idea is to use that energy for essentials like computers and heating. Any thoughts on connecting that battery to the grid if it runs low?