Hey everyone! I'm in the early stages of building a 1,200 sq ft house in the high desert of Utah, where we enjoy plenty of sunshine year-round. My plan is to run the entire home on propane and solar power, making it completely off-grid. I'm reaching out for advice on how to design the home from the ground up to maximize its solar capabilities. I'm particularly interested in aspects like the optimal roof pitch, orientation, panel placement, and any other factors I should consider during the design phase. Additionally, I'm curious about the costs involved; what can I realistically expect to spend on a complete setup including panels, batteries, inverter, and controller? Is it reasonable to think about sourcing and installing the system myself? I consider myself fairly handy, but I'm unsure where the line is between DIY and hiring a professional. The property is very rural, spanning about 30 acres, so there's plenty of space for ground-mounted panels if that's the way to go. I'd appreciate any insights or lessons learned. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
For your roof, consider using a standing seam metal roof; the solar panel anchors can easily mount to the seams. For optimal energy capture, aim for a roof pitch that matches your latitude—around 41 degrees for your area. South-facing panels are best for fixed mounts. If you're inclined to install it yourself, microinverters are fairly straightforward, but string systems might be a bit more complex. As for the costs, I spent around $16k on a prewired 32kW battery and inverter system, plus an additional $5k for panels and racking. I'm still working on my foundation but ordered materials ahead to avoid tariffs.
Given you have plenty of land, I recommend considering sun-tracking ground mounts. They can be more efficient, plus they simplify installation and maintenance. If you’re going the DIY route, partner with an electrician for planning and inspection. Make sure to buy UL-listed batteries and look for panels that are often available cheaply on platforms like eBay or FB marketplace. For heating and cooling, I suggest mini-split units—they're efficient and if one fails, you’ll have a backup. Don't forget to invest in an inverter that can be connected to a generator for more reliability on those cloudy days!
Have you looked into passive house design? Large south-facing windows can act as thermal solar heaters in winter, while overhangs help keep things cool in summer. If the roof shape allows, consider splitting it to have panels facing both southeast and southwest. This setup can provide consistent energy throughout the day. Make sure you plan for conduit installation during construction and double the number you think you'll need. Running more than one for AC and DC lines ensures you’re up to code and avoids headaches later on. And definitely, keep battery storage outside for safety!
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely look into the standing seam metal roof.