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-   -   Solar PV - Save Money & Shrink Carbon Footprint (https://ecorenovator.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6605)

NeilBlanchard 03-23-18 10:32 PM

Solar PV - Save Money & Shrink Carbon Footprint
 
We have been driving EV's for 3 1/2 years, and we are now using a heat pump for most of heating our house, as well. We got a solar PV system installed yesterday, and it should soon be generating a large amount electricity, to offset our use. The system is Sunpower 327 watt panels (about 20% efficient), and it is warranted for 25 years. The system will pay for itself in just over 5 years, with all the incentives, and in less than 10 years without them.

It is a 10kW system on the AC output, and the estimated annual output is just under 13MWh.

We have expensive electricity here in Massachusetts - we pay between 18¢ and 22¢ total per kWh (both generation and distribution costs); and we also have chosen to pay another 2.4¢ / kWh to support renewable generation. Even with these costs, driving our two EV's (Bolt EV and e-Golf) cost us only about 4.5¢ / mile.

Here's the roof panels, on our reconstructed roof (which is still in process):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psitpjmfmc.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psdmpfxbxg.jpg

And the equipment in the basement:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psgaqnaaeg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps9hse25c0.jpg

I am really looking forward to our reduced electric bill, and our reduced carbon footprint.

My brother and I have done all the construction - we stripped the old shingles, demolished the old hip roof framing, used the old rafters to double the floor joists, framed the new 12 pitch gable roof, installed new shingles. We will do windows and siding and wiring and insulation, new stairs, extend the chimney, and new finishes.

pinballlooking 03-24-18 06:24 AM

Congratulations on your new array! It looks great.
EV's and solar go together so well. How do you like the Bolt!
When do you get to fire up the array?

NeilBlanchard 03-24-18 09:05 AM

Thanks! I am not sure how long the system will have to sit - it can take a while. Eversource (used to be called NStar) is notorious for being slow.

We love our Bolt EV, and we also have an e-Golf 35.8kWh, which is the best driver's EV I know of.

oil pan 4 03-24-18 12:18 PM

The power co-op here just says not to hook up solar until you get the co-gen meter installed unless you just want to test it out for a few minutes so your not having to buy a bunch of power that your are actually producing.

NeilBlanchard 04-06-18 01:41 PM

Our new net meter was installed April 4th, and we "turned on" the system today! Of course, it is quite cloudy, and is snowing now, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

pinballlooking 04-06-18 02:33 PM

It does not matter very exciting time!:thumbup:
It is amazing how much power you can make on a cloudy day.

Daox 04-07-18 04:25 PM

Woohoo, congrats Neil!

NeilBlanchard 04-07-18 08:45 PM

We had our first full day of production - it started a bit slow because of heavy cloud cover, but by 10:30 or so the sun came out, and we hit 55.3kWh for the day!

Xringer 04-17-18 09:03 PM

Wow, that's some major roof - PV area. Very nice looking install. Impressive!
I think the solar install industry might be starting to get their act together..

I could have used some PV on my roof this winter.
We had one billing cycle that cost us about $500 (25 cents per kwh). We burned some oil too..
The good old days of 11 cents per are long gone..

I do have a solution to the high cost of cold weather, it's called 'Move to SW Texas'..
But, my wife still isn't interested. She doesn't have Rheumatoid arthritis pain yet..

NeilBlanchard 04-18-18 10:07 AM

In the 12 days our solar panels have been online, we have produced 374.6kWh. Over that same time, we used and additional 510.5kWh from the grid - for a total of 885.1kWh.

It has been pretty cool / cold so our heat pump is drawing about 2kW, and when we plug in either of our two electric cars, that is about 6-7kW for several hours.


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