I've gone and done it ... solar install - Home Improvement

Author	All Replies
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC	reply to nunya Re: I've gone and done it ... solar install Thanks nunya! So, is there any reason I should pay attention to what the meter says about VAR? Or is it just a fyi only kind of thing? Why would there be 0 inbound VAR and 86 outbound?
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-19 20:57:57 ·
Var @mycingular.net	Exporting var is a result of a lagging power factor. It's lagging PF is normal in most cases.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-19 21:39:58 ·
Var @mycingular.net	said by Var : Exporting var is a result of a lagging power factor. It's lagging PF is normal in most cases. Oops! The "It's" before lagging PF should be "A". Gotta love auto correct on touch-screen devices.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-19 21:54:20 ·
EGeezer Go Cats Premium join:2002-08-04 Midwest kudos:8	reply to ke4pym This is a great topic - thanks for documenting your progress! I'm curious - how do the panels affect the ability to replace/repair the roof, and did you have to have a rider on your homeowner's policy for coverage of damage to the panels and/or system? -- Buckle Up. It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-19 22:48:28 ·
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	said by EGeezer: This is a great topic - thanks for documenting your progress! I'm curious - how do the panels affect the ability to replace/repair the roof, and did you have to have a rider on your homeowner's policy for coverage of damage to the panels and/or system? You're welcome! Glad you like it! The roof just got replaced 2 months ago, so I should be set, for awhile. When it comes time to replace the roof, everything will have to be removed and reinstalled (except for the roof penetrations for the cabling). Kinda sucks. But that's how it is. HOPEFULLY, with the panels keeping the sun off of most of the back roof, it should last quite awhile. No special rider for me. According to my agent, the panels are covered under my existing policy. I do have to provide a yearly insurance statement to the power co with a minimum of $100,000 of liability insurance. Which isn't an issue.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-19 22:53:20 ·
jack b Gone Fishing Premium,MVM join:2000-09-08 Cape Cod kudos:1	Interesting that the power co wants proof of liability? What the reasoning behind that, and why should they even care? You own the system, correct? When I installed my system, I had my insurance co add the value for cost of replacement, under covered damage perils. -- ~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~ ~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-20 08:56:40 ·
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	Jack - Yes, I own the system. The liability thing is just part of the power companies' requirement prior to signing off on allowing the interconnect. It's not a big deal. I already had the proper coverage. Just have to provide on going proof.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-20 09:01:13 ·
MSauk MSauk Premium join:2002-01-17 Sandy, UT	reply to ke4pym So how much do you believe you will save per month? Our rates in Utah are 8 cents to 10 cents I believe (different tiers), so I am not sure it would ever be able to recoup the upfront cost. I would love to do it though, maybe one day. I would love to be somewhat dependent from the grid. -- 801 Images
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-21 18:47:53 ·
tstolze Premium join:2003-08-08 O Fallon, MO kudos:1 Reviews: ·Charter ·CenturyLink	said by MSauk: So how much do you believe you will save per month? Our rates in Utah are 8 cents to 10 cents I believe (different tiers), so I am not sure it would ever be able to recoup the upfront cost. I would love to do it though, maybe one day. I would love to be somewhat dependent from the grid. Gonna answer with my results, we are just over 6 months on solar. I figure my payback in 8-12 years. Our initial investment was over $45,000, our electric provider has 2 rebates, one they only allocate a certain amount of funding each year. I received both and will get 30% back on my federal tax return. Our out of pocket will be $11,350. It is estimated to cover 70% of our usage each year and looks to exceed calculations. From May 1 through the end of November we spent $110 on electric, all electric, 1200 sq/ft, 2 adults, a 20 year old and 12 year old. Our rates were 10.5 cent/kWh in the summer, and tiered in the Winter, first 750 kWh 7.5 after that 4.5...They will enact a 10.5% rate increase January 1. -- Ofallon, Mo Weather St. Peters, Mo Weather
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-21 21:53:32 ·
MSauk MSauk Premium join:2002-01-17 Sandy, UT	I guess the biggest question is, are you happy with your purchase? Do you feel it is worth it? -- 801 Images
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-22 14:55:08 ·
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	said by MSauk: I guess the biggest question is, are you happy with your purchase? Do you feel it is worth it? So far? Yeah. I'm already scheming on how to add 7 more panels and knock down the trees blocking the panels. This could change after I get my power bill. But that's still about 2 weeks away. I'll let you know.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-22 22:08:58 ·
tstolze Premium join:2003-08-08 O Fallon, MO kudos:1 Reviews: ·Charter ·CenturyLink	said by ke4pym: said by MSauk: I guess the biggest question is, are you happy with your purchase? Do you feel it is worth it? So far? Yeah. I'm already scheming on how to add 7 more panels and knock down the trees blocking the panels. This could change after I get my power bill. But that's still about 2 weeks away. I'll let you know. Remember, your production will be much higher come summer. I produced over 1200 kWh's in June, I will be lucky to squeeze 400 kWh's out this month. -- Ofallon, Mo Weather St. Peters, Mo Weather
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 01:10:20 ·

ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	said by tstolze Remember, your production will be much higher come summer. I produced over 1200 kWh's in June, I will be lucky to squeeze 400 kWh's out this month. [/BQUOTE : I've done 127kWh in just under 2 weeks now. And half of the days have been cloudy. Not much production the first half of this week either. It will be interesting to see how the panels behave as the sun gets higher and hotter. The panels on my small roof won't be angled as well, and the heat is going to derate their output quite a bit.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 08:13:58 ·
jack b Gone Fishing Premium,MVM join:2000-09-08 Cape Cod kudos:1	said by ke4pym: It will be interesting to see how the panels behave as the sun gets higher and hotter. The panels on my small roof won't be angled as well, and the heat is going to derate their output quite a bit. The heat will have some impact on production, though not as much as you might think. But wait 'till you see what kind of juice you can make on a chilly, clear, bright sunshiny April day! -- ~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~ ~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 12:24:10 ·
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	said by jack b: said by ke4pym: It will be interesting to see how the panels behave as the sun gets higher and hotter. The panels on my small roof won't be angled as well, and the heat is going to derate their output quite a bit. The heat will have some impact on production, though not as much as you might think. But wait 'till you see what kind of juice you can make on a chilly, clear, bright sunshiny April day! There's no such thing here. We're in the mid-80's by April.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 12:29:24 ·
tstolze Premium join:2003-08-08 O Fallon, MO kudos:1 Reviews: ·Charter ·CenturyLink	said by ke4pym: said by jack b: said by ke4pym: It will be interesting to see how the panels behave as the sun gets higher and hotter. The panels on my small roof won't be angled as well, and the heat is going to derate their output quite a bit. The heat will have some impact on production, though not as much as you might think. But wait 'till you see what kind of juice you can make on a chilly, clear, bright sunshiny April day! There's no such thing here. We're in the mid-80's by April. We had record heat in June/July this year....Yes it will decrease due to heat, but it comes down to available sunlight in the long run. Here is my report for July, my system is rated at 6.75 kW AC, 7.65 DC Week PeakPower Energy Produced 07/01/2012 - 07/07/2012 5.96 kW 266 kWh 07/08/2012 - 07/14/2012 6.45 kW 274 kWh 07/15/2012 - 07/21/2012 6.20 kW 258 kWh 07/22/2012 - 07/28/2012 6.00 kW 275 kWh 07/29/2012 - 07/31/2012 6.09 kW 92.5 kWh July 2012 Total: 1.17 MWh Previous Month Total: 1.29 MWh -- Ofallon, Mo Weather St. Peters, Mo Weather
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 12:56:22 ·
MSauk MSauk Premium join:2002-01-17 Sandy, UT	reply to ke4pym Well that is awesome to hear. To me as long as you are happy with your investment that is all that matters! Enjoy the FREE energy -- 801 Images
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-24 19:50:24 ·
djrobx join:2000-05-31 Valencia, CA kudos:2 Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Wireless.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·AT&T U-Verse	reply to ke4pym Re: I've gone and done it ... solar install said by ke4pym: This could change after I get my power bill. But that's still about 2 weeks away. I'll let you know. December is a very weak output month. Lots of weather and short days. December was estimated to be my most "expensive" utility bill month, but this didn't pan out with the record heat in August/Sept this year. I would wait until you at least get through spring before deciding on additional investment. -- AT&T U-Hearse - RIP Unlimited Internet 1995-2011 Rethink Billable.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-26 20:25:11 ·
ke4pym Premium join:2004-07-24 Charlotte, NC Reviews: ·VOIPo ·Verizon Broadban.. ·RoadRunner Cable ·Northland Cable ..	said by djrobx: said by ke4pym: This could change after I get my power bill. But that's still about 2 weeks away. I'll let you know. December is a very weak output month. Lots of weather and short days. December was estimated to be my most "expensive" utility bill month, but this didn't pan out with the record heat in August/Sept this year. I would wait until you at least get through spring before deciding on additional investment. If December is any indicator at all, it's one that I'll be rocking come later in the new year. I'm most certainly adding 1 more panel to the main roof where they miscalculated (by 3/4") the room they had. So, at least 1 more panel is coming. If I can swing it, the smaller roof is going to get up to 6 more panels - if they'll fit. 142kWh is no slouch, in my opinion for 2 and a half mostly crappy, cloudy weeks.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-12-27 08:38:29 ·

Technical > Home Improvement > I've gone and done it ... solar install

Re: I've gone and done it ... solar install

Re: I've gone and done it ... solar install