Any home owners with Solar Panels

BigCiX · Mar 15, 2014

If so how many kWh is your system producing? My system is a 9.250 kw (DC) Solar system and right now for the month of March I'm producing just under 31 kWh a day. I'd like to know what other systems are producing so I can see where my system stands. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

Codegerm · Mar 15, 2014

Are you on municipal water supply, with gas appliances, or all electric? I would love to have solar..

sfbloodbrother · Mar 15, 2014

I really want one. But I'm 18 and don't actually own my home. Maybe when this house is handed down to me I'll get them. How much are they? Can I build one myself?

mikedt · Mar 16, 2014

This is what a friend of mine has got at his house.

Don't know what the actual power output of the panel is, but it's combined with a small wind turbine, and they're basically self sufficient for electricity. Because there's no mains available. The actual system is large 24V lead acid batteries, feeding a 600W 220V inverter. They're not using it for hot water or heating. They have a wood, coal and sheep manure burning stove for that.

mikedt · Mar 16, 2014

sfbloodbrother said:
I really want one. But I'm 18 and don't actually own my home. Maybe when this house is handed down to me I'll get them. How much are they? Can I build one myself?

Possible I think, buy a load of individual solar cells and put them all together in some kind of flat frame? Whether it's cost effective or not, I wouldn't know.

sfbloodbrother · Mar 16, 2014

mikedt said:
Possible I think, buy a load of individual solar cells and put them all together in some kind of flat frame? Whether it's cost effective or not, I wouldn't know.

It will be a really fun project though.

XplosiV · Mar 17, 2014

BigCiX said:
If so how many kWh is your system producing? My system is a 9.250 kw (DC) Solar system and right now for the month of March I'm producing just under 31 kWh a day. I'd like to know what other systems are producing so I can see where my system stands. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

What's the weather been like?

If that's for a sunny month, I'd estimate it's way below what you should be getting.

Is the 9.250 Kw the theoretical maximum of the array?

Assuming it is, and assuming 80% efficiency in full sunlight for an 8 hour period your figures should look something like this.

80% of 9.250 = 7.4 KW/hour (max actual)
7.4KW/h * 8 = 58.2KW per day.

One thing you need to keep in mind is the angle of the array, and also any obstructions that "shadow" onto it. (like a chimney or tree)

Anything that shadows onto your panel's will reduce the efficiency of the whole array. One way to aid this is to use a micro inverter for each panel, so only the panel's that actually get shadows on will lose efficiency, the rest will remain as effective as they can be.

boathead · Mar 17, 2014

i have a solar project in mind for this summer, so i can reduce my northeast heating bills a bit. gonna try a DIY solar collector. i am undecided if i want a solar panel to drive the blower, or just a plug into the outlet. mainly because electricity confuses the bejesus out of me.

i just ordered the parts for a prototype though, to make the solar collector out of soda cans, and the blower out of a PC cooling fan. i have a 1W solar panel from radio shack that i'm hoping will be sufficient to power the fan. fun little project, hope it works.

BigCiX · Mar 17, 2014

XplosiV said:
What's the weather been like?

If that's for a sunny month, I'd estimate it's way below what you should be getting.

Is the 9.250 Kw the theoretical maximum of the array?

Assuming it is, and assuming 80% efficiency in full sunlight for an 8 hour period your figures should look something like this.

80% of 9.250 = 7.4 KW/hour (max actual)
7.4KW/h * 8 = 58.2KW per day.

One thing you need to keep in mind is the angle of the array, and also any obstructions that "shadow" onto it. (like a chimney or tree)

Anything that shadows onto your panel's will reduce the efficiency of the whole array. One way to aid this is to use a micro inverter for each panel, so only the panel's that actually get shadows on will lose efficiency, the rest will remain as effective as they can be.

One side of the roof gets direct sunlight most of the day and the other gets it but not direct. The side that doesn't get direct sunlight has the majority of the panels on there.

BigCiX · Mar 17, 2014

I found this on the internet and its based off the size of your system:

Of course different locations vary how much power your system produces but this being in Australia I'm assuming they get more sun then California. I'll call my solar company but I think my system is average is right for the time of the season.

XplosiV · Mar 18, 2014

BigCiX said:
I found this on the internet and its based off the size of your system:

Of course different locations vary how much power your system produces but this being in Australia I'm assuming they get more sun then California. I'll call my solar company but I think my system is average is right for the time of the season.

Does each side have an inverter? Or is one inverter connected to both sides?

If you just have the one, you'd be better off getting another fitted to split the load, as the side without direct sunlight will be reducing efficiency. With the two inverters the side in direct sunlight will work to their max while the other side supplements through it's own inverter, eliminating the efficiency loss with little cost.

It's definitely worth reading up on to understand the workings, even if you don't know too much about electics.

BigCiX · Mar 21, 2014

XplosiV said:
Does each side have an inverter? Or is one inverter connected to both sides?

If you just have the one, you'd be better off getting another fitted to split the load, as the side without direct sunlight will be reducing efficiency. With the two inverters the side in direct sunlight will work to their max while the other side supplements through it's own inverter, eliminating the efficiency loss with little cost.

It's definitely worth reading up on to understand the workings, even if you don't know too much about electics.

I have 2 invertors. I called my Solar company and they said between March-May I should see 27-43 kWh. In the summer months I can get as high as 60+ kWh. That's pretty good for me because without solar my usual summer time electric bill is between $400-$600. Plus pg&e just raised rates this year.

sfbloodbrother · Mar 22, 2014

BigCiX said:
I have 2 invertors. I called my Solar company and they said between March-May I should see 27-43 kWh. In the summer months I can get as high as 60+ kWh. That's pretty good for me because without solar my usual summer time electric bill is between $400-$600. Plus pg&e just raised rates this year.

I always leave 2 of my desktops on. How many desktops could solar panels power? Just random question.

XplosiV · Mar 22, 2014

sfbloodbrother said:
I always leave 2 of my desktops on. How many desktops could solar panels power? Just random question.

Depends on the desktops PSU ratings for a start.

sfbloodbrother · Mar 22, 2014

XplosiV said:
Depends on the desktops PSU ratings for a start.

Their 80 bronze. Have 2 650 watt PSUs.

BigCiX · Mar 23, 2014

Here's a shot of my roof facing Northwest taken around 5 pm. As you can see it still has sun but not directly above it or to the side. I get the most out out of the sun on this side between the hours of 11-3. The other side gets direct sunlight longer.

The aerial view using Google map circled red

BRAINZ2013 · Mar 23, 2014

I have a question not using solar in any way shape or form, don't know much about it but many companies are calling and asking to install. First how much do you pay for the set up and are you fully away from electrical companies or a percentage . this led to my second question . if you build up enough energy how can you use this to make extra money.

BigCiX · Mar 23, 2014

BRAINZ2013 said:
I have a question not using solar in any way shape or form, don't know much about it but many companies are calling and asking to install. First how much do you pay for the set up and are you fully away from electrical companies or a percentage . this led to my second question . if you build up enough energy how can you use this to make extra money.

If you lease (which what majority people do) depending on what company you go through its zero down for a 10,15 or 20 lease. Some and I believe most companies require a certain credit score. In my case it was a 685 or better. You used to get cash for the extra energy you produce. From what I heard know it's rolled over to the next month. That helps for the big 4 months (June-September). I think there are some companies that pay out cash for the energy you sell back.

sfbloodbrother · Mar 23, 2014

Interesting way to make money. Selling energy to energy companies.

BigCiX · Mar 23, 2014

sfbloodbrother said:
Interesting way to make money. Selling energy to energy companies.

Yup. Saves the customer money on his energy bill then use the energy it makes and sells it back to the electric company.
As long as my energy bill is cheaper I don't care.

BRAINZ2013 · Mar 23, 2014

Yes I keep getting calls. person keeps telling me I can save on bills in the summer with running my ac around the clock keeping cool and heating will also be a plus cause you can enjoy 70 degrees plus in the winter . but when he or she said you can make money back and never be in the dark from power outages . I was stunned and speechless . I even hear one that I can get a energy credit on taxes

sfbloodbrother · Mar 24, 2014

BigCiX said:
Yup. Saves the customer money on his energy bill then use the energy it makes and sells it back to the electric company.
As long as my energy bill is cheaper I don't care.

But it is quite the investment right? How long would it take to make your money back after getting everything set up and buying the panals?

BRAINZ2013 · Mar 24, 2014

We think alike

XplosiV · Mar 24, 2014

sfbloodbrother said:
But it is quite the investment right? How long would it take to make your money back after getting everything set up and buying the panals?

Depends on the size of the system, how much of the energy you use, how much you feed into the grid, and how much of any, you store in batteries.

A consecutive estimate would be 5-8 years to pay off the install, including buying the panels, not leasing.

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