Instructions

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1. Calculate/Design
   1. Design your system using the simulator.
   2. Fill in what you know, leave the rest on defaults.
   3. Simulate your design to figure out the minium number of panels required.
   4. The sim will estimate the yearly cost of power used for water heating.
   5. Look at your water heater and figure out what kind of fittings you will need to install mixing valve.
   6. You can use the spreadsheet under BOM to pick out parts to order and calculate your payback time.
   7. Don't get stuck in Analysis paralysis, even hooking panels directly to the heater element with no MPPT can work.
2. Order Materials
1. Check out the example parts listed on the BOM page
2. Try to find a local panel supplier to avoid freight charges. Used panels are fine if they all match.
3. The panels are quite tough on the front glass side, but easily damaged on the back plastic covered side. A damaged cell will limit the current of the entire array, so you may want to buy a spare panel. Make sure to wear clothes with no buttons and no belt buckle when moving/installing the panels.
4. Special Tools you may need:
   1. DC clamp meter
   2. Water Heater Element Wrench
   3. MC4 Crimper set
   4. Pipe Soldering Tools
3. Install Panels
   1. Replace the shingles first if they are in bad shape.
   2. Install Roof anchors.
   3. Attach Rails to anchors. Use anti-seize on stainless hardware.
   4. Attach Panels to rails.
   5. Attach grounding system.
   6. Trench in plastic conduit from panels to house.
   7. Pull wire through conduit and connect it to the outdoor disconnect switch
   8. Turn off disconnect switch, lock it out and/or finish wiring at night
   9. Working on solar wiring is safe at night, just don't fall off the roof in the dark
4. Indoor Work
1. Drill hole in wall near water heater and mount a Type-LB Conduit Body on each side as passthrough.
2. Install indoor conduit as required. (just use flex, so easy)
3. Install indoor shutoff switch.
4. Turn off power and cold water supply to water heater
5. Drain water heater
6. Install Mixing valve
7. Remove bottom element cover, take picture of wires for future reference.
8. Disconnect bottom element from city power and secure wires so they will not short out on anything.
9. Install new bottom element (if needed).
10. Measure resistance of element and write it on water heater for future reference
11. Refill water heater.
12. Connect bottom element to indoor shutoff. (make sure there is water in there or you will burn out the elements)
13. Finish wiring and button up what you can
14. Wait for daytime to Turn solar power switches on, Check for smoke.
15. You can safely measure current with a DC clamp Meter. Only clamp one wire or else they will cancel out.
16. P = I²R
17. Turn city power back on to top element.