Solar Power

February 29, 2020, 10:06 AM

Curly1

Solar Power

I to was talking about a Grid tied system. Here in Texas the main power draw is air conditioning and the more the sun shines more power it makes.

As for up north Illinois etc. they are set at a steeper angle to face the sun and they are also black in color so I do not think snow would be much of a problem. The further North they are closer to vertical, further South closer to horizontal.

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-a type of Cognitive bias where people with little expertise or ability assume they have superior expertise or ability. This overestimation occurs as a result of the fact that they do not have enough knowledge to know they don't have enough knowledge.

Before you argue with someone ask yourself, "Is this person mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective?" If not there is no point to argue.

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February 29, 2020, 10:32 AM

TD3550

Not home, but for trailer. I'm looking for a reliable small solar unit to keep the 4 batteries in the trailer charged during the winter. Tired of
R&R for the coming winter months. PITA.

February 29, 2020, 01:16 PM

BP758

quote:
Originally posted by TD3550:
Not home, but for trailer. I'm looking for a reliable small solar unit to keep the 4 batteries in the trailer charged during the winter. Tired of
R&R for the coming winter months. PITA.

Great idea! Most new trailers and trucks now have that option. Would be great to have small solar/battery option to run basics during the day at the track.

February 29, 2020, 03:03 PM

ferndaleflyer

Some friends of mine have a small solar unit mounted on their race cars that keep the batteries charged---they don't even take a charger to the track.

February 29, 2020, 03:32 PM

TD3550

As with any product i guess look at the reviews on these units paid or not. I did noticed they aren't really expensive at all. Seen some panels that have actually melted looking at the reviews that included pics. Would really save me some work let alone working on the hot rod. Fern, you know what he is using?

February 29, 2020, 05:50 PM

ferndaleflyer

No but may see them next week. Door cars and maybe 12X12 panel on trunk. Worried people to death for awhile.

March 02, 2020, 08:08 PM

SST386

quote:
Originally posted by TD3550:
Not home, but for trailer. I'm looking for a reliable small solar unit to keep the 4 batteries in the trailer charged during the winter. Tired of
R&R for the coming winter months. PITA.

I use one of those small solar panels from Harbor freight on my trailer. Used the winch to load my car yesterday pulled it up in the trailer just fine after sitting all winter with just the solar panel on it.

April 10, 2020, 11:37 AM

BP758

Meanwhile, back at the ranch..

Enphase Solar report
date---- Peak KW ---- KWH Produced
3/1-7 -- 10.0 - 352
3/8-14 -- 9.90 - 385
3/15-21 -- 10.4 - 323
3/22-28 -- 10.5 - 382
3/29-31 -- 10.5 - 144

Carbon offset 1.09 tons
or 28 Trees...
Now is that enough to offset my racing footprint... Nope..

April 10, 2020, 12:43 PM

Bucky

quote:
Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..

Enphase Solar report
date---- Peak KW ---- KWH Produced
3/1-7 -- 10.0 - 352
3/8-14 -- 9.90 - 385
3/15-21 -- 10.4 - 323
3/22-28 -- 10.5 - 382
3/29-31 -- 10.5 - 144

Carbon offset 1.09 tons
or 28 Trees...
Now is that enough to offset my racing footprint... Nope..

Let those smart city folks pick up the rest.

April 10, 2020, 05:24 PM

BP758

quote:
Originally posted by Bucky:
quote:
Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..

Enphase Solar report
date---- Peak KW ---- KWH Produced
3/1-7 -- 10.0 - 352
3/8-14 -- 9.90 - 385
3/15-21 -- 10.4 - 323
3/22-28 -- 10.5 - 382
3/29-31 -- 10.5 - 144

Carbon offset 1.09 tons
or 28 Trees...
Now is that enough to offset my racing footprint... Nope..

Let those smart city folks pick up the rest.

Yes sir Bucky.
Kinda tickles me to get over on PGE

April 10, 2020, 06:05 PM

Rob7181

Was going to install it when I had a house built and our electric bill was $320 and this past year it averaged $188 per month. How do I justify installing it?

April 10, 2020, 11:42 PM

Will Harrison

I just ordered panels and engineering yesterday for my house. A friend is an electrical contractor with solar credentials. He's helping me with the technical side, he suggested micro inverter panels because if one has an issue it is stand alone and will not effect other panels. Also you can monitor each panels output separately. He said absolutely do not lease the system, the tax credits only go to the "owner" of the system, which if you lease means the company your leasing from gets the credit, not you! I'm excited to get ours up and running, it'll save us a grand every month not running off the power company. We're getting a smokin' deal on the panels with contractor pricing, the rebate will just about cancel out the entire cost of the system.

April 11, 2020, 12:41 AM

BP758

Will, how is the family?
Prob read already -Purchased ours with the property. We Registered with Enphase Canadian and 25 year warranty transferred. Are you doing battery back up? House or stand alone? Thought I read stand alone??? If you can afford to buy then yes, especially with help. Once done you will love it.

April 11, 2020, 08:38 AM

Bucky

quote:
Originally posted by Will Harrison:
I just ordered panels and engineering yesterday for my house. A friend is an electrical contractor with solar credentials. He's helping me with the technical side, he suggested micro inverter panels because if one has an issue it is stand alone and will not effect other panels. Also you can monitor each panels output separately. He said absolutely do not lease the system, the tax credits only go to the "owner" of the system, which if you lease means the company your leasing from gets the credit, not you! I'm excited to get ours up and running, it'll save us a grand every month not running off the power company. We're getting a smokin' deal on the panels with contractor pricing, the rebate will just about cancel out the entire cost of the system.

You spend greater than $1k/ month? How large is this solar array that it can replace all of that?

April 11, 2020, 05:27 PM

Lenny5160

quote:
Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..

Enphase Solar report
date---- Peak KW ---- KWH Produced
3/1-7 -- 10.0 - 352
3/8-14 -- 9.90 - 385
3/15-21 -- 10.4 - 323
3/22-28 -- 10.5 - 382
3/29-31 -- 10.5 - 144

Carbon offset 1.09 tons
or 28 Trees...
Now is that enough to offset my racing footprint... Nope..

In the last 30 days, my 36-panel system has produced 1.27 MWh, which covered all of our consumption plus sold back $31 worth to the power company.

Since we're paying for the system, there isn't a lot of financial benefit but it will be great once paid for. That's assuming it all still functions, of course.

April 11, 2020, 07:38 PM

BP758

Lenny, In Jan square up we had a 1167$ credit. Thinking of going to MCI and get paid for it. With the current provider you never get back what you generate.

April 12, 2020, 12:12 AM

Will Harrison

quote:
Originally posted by Bucky:
quote:
Originally posted by Will Harrison:
I just ordered panels and engineering yesterday for my house. A friend is an electrical contractor with solar credentials. He's helping me with the technical side, he suggested micro inverter panels because if one has an issue it is stand alone and will not effect other panels. Also you can monitor each panels output separately. He said absolutely do not lease the system, the tax credits only go to the "owner" of the system, which if you lease means the company your leasing from gets the credit, not you! I'm excited to get ours up and running, it'll save us a grand every month not running off the power company. We're getting a smokin' deal on the panels with contractor pricing, the rebate will just about cancel out the entire cost of the system.

You spend greater than $1k/ month? How large is this solar array that it can replace all of that?

i don't remember the amount of panels off hand, but its about 1000 sq ft of panels

April 12, 2020, 12:19 AM

Will Harrison

quote:
Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
Will, how is the family?
Prob read already -Purchased ours with the property. We Registered with Enphase Canadian and 25 year warranty transferred. Are you doing battery back up? House or stand alone? Thought I read stand alone??? If you can afford to buy then yes, especially with help. Once done you will love it.

No battery back up, as of now the batteries just don't seem like an economical choice. I was told PG&E is your battery back up. Produce enough during the day that they are paying you, and buy it back when needed. It'll be roof mounted, which should also help shading the roof at the same time lowering out power needs. The rebate is the huge factor, it will make it cost almost nothing once 2021 rolls around.

We're doing good, we're still working full, or beyond full time, thankfully. We were set for a hard-core schedule of racing this year... but I guess 2021 will be our year instead. I guess it works out though, 2 new cars and a new rig should be ready to hit it in 2021

August 22, 2021, 08:23 AM

Bucky

So how are the solar deals working out now that some time has passed? I have plenty of room for an array. I would be more interested in buying. And only interested in short paybacks. Not 15-30 years. My interest falls after 10 really.
We pay just over $200/month in the hottest summer months (1-2) and just over half that in cool months and winter. We could heat more with electricity.

I'm not afraid to tackle some of it myself too. Is there a crossover point of adding more less expensive panels when there is plenty of room?

August 22, 2021, 11:13 AM

BP758

You could do the structure yourself plus bury the conduit and run the wiring. Ours is overkill , fireman I bought the house from built the golden gate.. panels are light. We just did a 24 kw Generac. We could have done the Tesla Battery Pac ($10k) and with rebates you end up around 4500-5k installed. Doing the gen install was 16-18K estimate so with me doing the fuel lines, conduit and pulling the wires I’m in it around $8800. I figured I would be better off out here with the generator vs battery pack. I can send you pics Bucky by text or email if you want to see the structure up close. I’ll pm you contact info . Working with Art at Matrix HVAC I’m going to do a new ac/heat pump instead of propane heat. I use a bunch of electric. No bill yet.