Here’s your Green Energy

Jaybeaux said:
@ttmott Question for you. On the graphic outlining your project it shows an estimated yearly KW-hr production of 16,635 kw-hrs.

So if you have a 11.3 kw system, is that to say you can only "rely" on a 16.8% utilization rate?

16,635
---------------------------------------------------- * 100 = 16.8%
(11.3)*24*365

Just trying to understand the numbers.

Jaybeaux
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ttmott said:
Swimming Pool Loads and Shop Loads included. Plus I have a 30KW diesel genset for outages - we haven't had any outages, yet. The "grid" is my unlimited battery; that battery cost me $27.16 per month. Any Questions?
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Tom, I have a little smaller system than you. 34 panels, about 8KW. Are you saying Florida let’s you switch into and out of the grid at your discretion? We can’t do that here in SC. We do have 1:1 net metering (for now - new power company owners have been trying to change that but state shot them down their first try) but are a power plant to the utility company and have to always be connected. Also I rarely break even on a monthly basis. Heat of summer I’m using up to 1700 kWh charging two Teslas and everything in house as electric. House is only 2000 square feet. My panels are giving me 900kwh a month. I lose a few hours in the late afternoon due to some tall pines I didn’t cut down.
 
ZZ13 said:
Tom, I have a little smaller system than you. 34 panels, about 8KW. Are you saying Florida let’s you switch into and out of the grid at your discretion? We can’t do that here in SC. We do have 1:1 net metering (for now - new power company owners have been trying to change that but state shot them down their first try) but are a power plant to the utility company and have to always be connected. Also I rarely break even on a monthly basis. Heat of summer I’m using up to 1700 kWh charging two Teslas and everything in house as electric. House is only 2000 square feet. My panels are giving me 900kwh a month. I lose a few hours in the late afternoon due to some tall pines I didn’t cut down.
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There are three types of solar systems - Off the Grid, Grid Tied, and Hybred. I have the Grid Tied.
Off The Grid - is just that not connected to the utility grid in any form. As long as the electrical installation conforms to local codes and regulations there is no limit to the scope of the solar system.
Grid Tied - This is a system where the solar installation is constantly connected to the grid and current flows both ways. If the home consumes less than the output of the solar system it is flowed onto the grid; if the home consumes more than the output of the solar system the grid flows to the home. By law if there is a grid outage the solar system must also terminate making power. This is to prevent electrical hazards on the grid for service personnel. Grid Tied systems typically do not have a battery storage system. There is no human interface - everything is seamless in function.
Hybrid - These are like Grid Tied but also have a battery system that further supplements the electrical supply to the home. Depending upon the priority you have set in the system the battery is charged with excess solar energy and/or that excess energy flows to the grid and when the solar can't support the home the battery does. If the solar and battery can't support the home the grid stands in and both supplements the home and charges the battery. These systems have a transfer switch that disconnects the grid should there be an outage to allow the home to operate solely on solar/battery. Everything in these systems are completely seamless in their switching. Generac just came out with a small DC generator that specifically comes on line to charge the batteries should they need it and both the grid and solar can't. If that was available when I installed that huge Diesel Genset I'd be trading the batteries/small DC generator for the large genset; albeit it would be around 3X the cost of the diesel genset installation.

Additionally, the switching equipment for both the Grid Tied and Hybrid which are typically the inverter components must have a specific certification to get the design permitted. Victron equipment, for example, do not carry those certifications even though they do execute the functions.

One last thing, at least in Florida - there are three "Tier" levels of solar power that can interface with the grid. Tier I is limited to 11.5KW, Tier II is limited to 1Mw, and Tier III is unlimited (I think I have these correct). If you desire greater than Tier I you have to obtain a special liability insurance policy.
 
I did the solar route last year. Right now I have 10.6KW I have 6 more panels to install increasing it to 12.2kw when I get the addition done on my shop behind my house. I did the DIY route. I am in just over $18K and will see a 30% credit if my damn accountant would get my taxes done. I have not had an electric bill that I owed money in 5 months now. Hoping for less than 7yrs ROI. Less if rates increase.







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I know solar panel technology has improved, but what is the life expectancy now before you have to consider replacement?
 
JayhawkCurtis said:
I know solar panel technology has improved, but what is the life expectancy now before you have to consider replacement?
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25 years on panels which includes 100% on workmanship and 92% of rated solar production at 25 years.
20 years no depreciation on all other elements including workmanship.
 
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