Solar Thermal Evacuated Tube Collector

Solar Installation Pictures

New video:

Clear Solar Panel Explanation and Examples - Bifacial Solar Panel Lumos ...

I receive a lot of requests, especially in the last 2 years, regarding bifacial solar panels. These are solar panels that are designed for aesthetic reasons where the light can travel through the main frame of the solar panel.



Eric Layton

IRE Solar

May 25, 2015

Enphase Microinverters and Quick Mount PV

New solar video that I made at a solar installation near Tampa, Florida. These are Enphase microinverters, which convert the DC voltage from the solar panels to 120 V AC for connected to the grid.



Eric Layton

IRE Solar

April 19, 2015

Explaining Enphase Microinverters on Solar Installation

Here I explain a little more about the Enphase microinverters and the SolarWorld 275 watt panels. Installation is a 5.8 kW solar install in Tampa, Florida.



Eric Layton

April 5, 2015

Here I am getting ready to install some solar panels in Florida. It's a nice sunny day out, perfect for solar power! This is a 5,800 watt or 5.8 kilowatt (kW) solar installation on a residential rooftop. I am using SolarWorld panels and Enphase microinverters at the customer's request. This is Day 2 of the solar installation. 

Eric Layton

Solar Engineer

April 1, 2015

Eric Layton Installing Solar Panels!

Solar Panels at a 5.8 kW Solar Installation

First time using SolarWorld brand solar panels and Sunrail brand racking for a residential solar installation in central area of Florida. I had fun installing this in the Florida sun this past weekend.



Eric Layton

March 29, 2015

DIY Solar Panels - 5 Windy Nation 100 W Solar Panels

Finally had the opportunity to finish the DIY solar panel installation with 5 of the Windy Nation solar panels that I purchased online. I finished the pole mount and finished mounting all of the panels together. After everything was complete, it worked out very well. All future ground mounts that I install, I am going to follow this exact same design using the 2" steel poles, satellite dish mounts, Unistrut, and wood.



Eric Layton

Solar Install 3/16/15

DIY Solar and Wind Book

I published a new book on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, and the Barnes and Nobles store on my DIY Solar and Wind system.



Here is my DIY Solar and Wind book that was published on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1508454310/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1508454310&linkCode=as2&tag=erilaysyoucha-20&linkId=URNF3DPORKY4M5YR



Barnes and Noble Nook version of my DIY Solar and Wind Book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121302120?ean=2940151676939&itm=1&usri=2940151676939



Here's a preview of the book:

DIY Batteries for Solar and Wind System

Bought a few new batteries for my DIY solar system and getting ready to install them. Hoping to go off grid for days at a time.

DIY Solar Panel Mounts for 100 Watt Solar Panels- $25 per mount

Made a new video on the solar panel mounts I designed. I couldn't believe the prices on Amazon and eBay as well as other vendors on how much a 100 watt solar panel mount costs. The prices range from $75 minimum after purchasing the actual mount, screws, unistrut or wood, etc. The panel itself is $110. I just found this to be ridiculous so wanted to design a mount that costs less than $25. Here it is!



Eric Layton

DIY Wind Turbine Power Overload

It's been very windy in Central Florida this week, and my resistive load circuit on my wind turbine had a power overload. I had to replace a wire on the circuit after it shorted out. This video goes over what I did and why I replaced the wire.

Solar Car Ports

New video I just put together for several presentations on solar car ports.



-Eric Layton, 2/9/15

Understanding Solar Hot Water

I just uploaded a video to my YouTube channel about understanding solar hot water, the economics, the installations, and extra information about solar hot water. Also known as solar thermal, this type of solar power involves heating water to high temperatures to save energy costs.



As a certified solar installer in the United States, I have installed many solar hot water systems and have found these type of systems to be the most efficient in terms of design, installation, and receiving a return on your investment.



The average cost of a solar hot water system for a residential home is about $3,500 to $5,500. Most come in around $4,500. Once the customer has the solar hot water system turned on and it is active, they will qualify for a 30% Federal Tax Credit. Once this 30% Federal Tax Credit is used, the solar system's Return on Investment (ROI) is less than 5 years for the average residential home. A solar hot water system is designed to last 25+ years, with many last more than 30+ years.



Solar hot water systems last so long that the biggest hurdle is cutting trees down that block the solar panels, in some cases trees that didn't even exist when the solar system was installed. This is how long solar hot water systems can last!



This video also discussed more of the economics, design and implementation, engineering, and cost numbers. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will do my  best to answer any questions.



Video is narrated by solar engineer Eric Layton, recorded November 2014.

1.9 MW Solar Concept Render Car Ports in Florida

New concept render that I made for a 100% solar powered car port project. Over 40 car ports in this project in Florida.



-Eric Layton