Getting solar at the house

[gnihcraes]

We looked at solar a year ago but put off doing anything because of some other commitments. I'm thinking about jumping back in now. Is there a referral bonus for Solar City out there? If so, someone shoot me a PM.

I'm also very interested in the possibility of using the panels when the power is out. I know this doesn't work by default - but if I put in a transfer switch, is there anything preventing it? I was looking to put in a transfer switch anyway at some point, so I'd have a place to safely hook up a generator.

Yes, I can refer and get a discount/kickback.

Power failure, the invertor monitors the Xcel side of the power, and will shutdown the output from the solar panels. You can still use the transfer switch. I'll know more information once I get back on the install of my system. Hopefully in a week or two.

[Brian]

Yes, I can refer and get a discount/kickback.

Power failure, the invertor monitors the Xcel side of the power, and will shutdown the output from the solar panels. You can still use the transfer switch. I'll know more information once I get back on the install of my system. Hopefully in a week or two.

Definitely interested in this. Read a few sites that indicate that the grid-tied solar panels are wired in such a way that even a installing a manual transfer switch will not allow you to get power when the grid is down. Apparently the elec. code prevents this due to the risk to the techs and there's no way to get it set up in a way that makes it useful when the grid is down. Wish I had more first-hand answers.