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Let me re-iterate: as long as they are easily replaceable In others words, design it with replacement by do-it-yourself homeowners in mind. I looked up the spe
by nhebb 16y ago
Let me re-iterate: as long as they are easily replaceable
In others words, design it with replacement by do-it-yourself homeowners in mind. I looked up the spec for one and it was 1250x800 mm (~4x3 ft) and weighted 12 kg (~25 lbs). That's a little awkward for one person to cart up a ladder, but what if they were half the size and had a strap handle on the side? What if they used quick disconnects for mounting? If you set out with these as design goals, then I'm sure a feasible solution could be found.
- hugh3 16y agoMost people don't especially like going up on their own rooves to install things. Some folks don't mind, but it's still a big disadvantage.
- rdtsc 16y agoBut most people probably know someone who doesn't mind or who can help them do it. In other words it doesn't have to be a $1K job for everyone. Smaller panels can make it easy to replace gradually, acouple here, a couple there...
- ars 16y agoI agree. You either make things last a long time and not fail, or you make them very easy and cheap to replace.
- InclinedPlane 16y agoHow common is it for homeowners to have a friend replace roofing tiles for them? Such a job is as easy or easier (and cheaper in terms of materials) than replacing solar panels. In practice such things are not common at all, people don't have friends who will just go up on roofs and do serious work. The best you can hope for is something as easy as installing Christmas lights (which doesn't even require getting on the roof itself, just up to the eaves).
- rdtsc 16y agoThat's the idea, it shouldn't be in the same class as replacing roofing, it should be in the same class as repainting your shutters, or cleaning your gutters.