Yahoo Message Number: 18878 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18878)
Good Morning, again.
My second question of the day concerns the installation of solar panels.
Our existing Intrigue came with a solar panel. I have always felt some comfort knowing it is up there and think it is a good idea.
It is not offered on the 2006 Allures but you can get the coach pre-wired for future installation!
On the 2006 Intrigue a 400 watt solar panel is offered as an option for $4610.
I do not know if CC would install on the Allure or whether there is a better alternative and once again I solicit your comments to aid us in our decision making process.
Thanks, David
David & Karen
2000 Intrigue 11062
40 ft Single slide. PT
2002 Odyssey TOAD
Yahoo Message Number: 18882 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18882)
Yahoo Message Number: 18883 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18883)
Personally, I would not pay more than $3-$4 per watt.
Here's a good source: http://www.sunelec.com/ (http://www.sunelec.com/) Tom Fisher
Yahoo Message Number: 18885 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18885)
$4600 is way out of line for 400 watts of solar. I think that is a way for CC to say they don't want to be in the solar business.
There are a number of rv solar installers but not knowing what area you are in, it would be hard to say where to go. This is one I was interested in. www.amsolar.com
Another one is Solar Bill in Quartzsite but his prices for panels isn't the best.
One thing for sure, if you get solar installed, do not let the wire to the refer connection. That is the cheap and easy way out but not the best. Have the solar wired direct to the batteries.
Don
'02 Intrigue #11427
Yahoo Message Number: 18888 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18888)
Don,
It is my understanding that the CC solar option is from Greg Holder at Amsolar. The web price for a 4 panel amsolar system excluding installation is around $3000 so the $4600 CC installed price does seem a little high. The factory installation is done to Greg's standards.
Someone else posted that he would not pay more than $4 a watt. In Austin, TX the rebate alone for grid-tied solar is $4 a watt which covers around 60% of the cost if the system is under 3000 watts.
These systems utilize BP 24 volt panels and a SMA Sunny Boy inverter.
By the way, I expect CC to be offering in the future (if roof space allows) more than 4 panels since Greg is coming out with an HPV-30 system which will handle at least 6 panels. The current HPV-22 system is limited to 4 panels with a total of 400 watts.
Barry
Yahoo Message Number: 18893 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18893)
Holder
inverter.
space
a
area
was
panels
wire
not
i could get at the time 2001 in AZ> All so a inter-net ant. on top and if i wish there is room for two more. Plus a 12/24vdc 50 amp's Sold Boost. The amount was $10,913.67 total. They ran all "BIG WIRE" from one to the other and down to the batt.'s It's workes very well.
Good Luck. Capt. Dan 2000 allure cci # 30498
Yahoo Message Number: 18894 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18894)
excluding
does
In
which
watts.
30
is
but
one's
WIRE"
well.
was for the Solar and the 50 amp,s. Not the inter- net ant. sorry about that
Yahoo Message Number: 18897 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18897)
One of the more knowledgeable people in the RV solar business is Noel Kirkby who has been doing seminars at Escapee RV rallys for several years. They do installs at the rallys and at their facility in Scottsdale, Az. He also published a very informative book on the subject, you'd probably do yourself a big favor by getting the book and reading through. It explains everything and is very easy reading, it will help you to decide how much solar power you need for your personal situation.
E-mail or call (480) 443-8520 for information
RV Solar Electric Inc.®
14415 N. 73rd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
E-mail: rvse@... (rvse@...) Secure Online Order Form.
Telephone: (480) 443 - 8520
Toll free: 1 - 800 - 999 - 8520
Fax: (480) 443 - 0742
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, AZ Time
I can assure you that you should not be paying anywhere near $4600 for a 400 watt solar panel installation.
Ray
2000 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 18905 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/18905)
Barry,
The rebates for solar installation, from what I understand, is for stick houses and not rv's. I know that AZ also offers a rebate for solar installation and some "shady/questionable" installers are saying you can get the rebate for rv installation. Legally you can't do it, but....
Anyway, when reading about Amsolar I caught the fact that he went to Western Washington U. Our daughter graduated from there and if Greg is as sharp as our kid, he knows his stuff. I think he was the one that installed on our friends coach, it was a top notch job and I would be very happy with it.
The other installer I would be happy with is RV Solar Electric which is mentioned in another post.
Don
'02 Intrigue #11427
inverter.
a
area
was
panels
wire
not