Howdy. I'm a new member and beyond Newbie in solar knowledge.
I've been procrastinating for years but quickly getting cash-strapped because of my inability to move ahead with a mega project (off grid) that I have been slowly planning.
My background: I have a 10,000 sq ft house with accessory buildings in the NY Metro area. It's been getting exceedingly unaffordable for the utilities last couple of years - especially with my elderly parents that moved in and keeping the heat pump mini splits at 85 degrees and higher. I have 400 amp service coming into the house and my usage can be from 4000-9000 kWh each month and even more.
My equipment: I bought 5 years ago 220 solar panels (265w each Canadian Solar) with Enphase m215 micro inverters. They have been sitting around gathering lots of dust waiting for me to figure out how to install. I bought this from a guy that advised me but I didn't learn too much at the time.
My needs: I'm not a dumb person (well maybe I am..) but I'm going through this somewhat blindly and looking for guidance and even perhaps someone who does this for as an advanced hobby or even as a business. It's one thing to build my own rack to mount the panels but it's a whole complicated story when I'm thinking I will need to go off grid (or at least partially) with a large battery array and what I really need to plan for. I even thought about buying 1 or two EV's (crashed) for doing a homemade Powerwall.
I have done a whole ton of research but I think I am running in circles. I'm not really sure I know what I'm thinking is correct. I have spoken to a few solar professionals locally but not one of them is interested in getting involved since I did not purchase the equipment from them. I reached out to NYS NYSERDA for assistance but the people they referred to are in the business of selling equipment and not operating as consultants.
Anyone that knows where I can turn to discuss and help with planning? Obviously this is NOT a simple system and I know I will have to compensate for help.
I've been procrastinating for years but quickly getting cash-strapped because of my inability to move ahead with a mega project (off grid) that I have been slowly planning.
My background: I have a 10,000 sq ft house with accessory buildings in the NY Metro area. It's been getting exceedingly unaffordable for the utilities last couple of years - especially with my elderly parents that moved in and keeping the heat pump mini splits at 85 degrees and higher. I have 400 amp service coming into the house and my usage can be from 4000-9000 kWh each month and even more.
My equipment: I bought 5 years ago 220 solar panels (265w each Canadian Solar) with Enphase m215 micro inverters. They have been sitting around gathering lots of dust waiting for me to figure out how to install. I bought this from a guy that advised me but I didn't learn too much at the time.
My needs: I'm not a dumb person (well maybe I am..) but I'm going through this somewhat blindly and looking for guidance and even perhaps someone who does this for as an advanced hobby or even as a business. It's one thing to build my own rack to mount the panels but it's a whole complicated story when I'm thinking I will need to go off grid (or at least partially) with a large battery array and what I really need to plan for. I even thought about buying 1 or two EV's (crashed) for doing a homemade Powerwall.
I have done a whole ton of research but I think I am running in circles. I'm not really sure I know what I'm thinking is correct. I have spoken to a few solar professionals locally but not one of them is interested in getting involved since I did not purchase the equipment from them. I reached out to NYS NYSERDA for assistance but the people they referred to are in the business of selling equipment and not operating as consultants.
Anyone that knows where I can turn to discuss and help with planning? Obviously this is NOT a simple system and I know I will have to compensate for help.