DIY solar array 12.5 kw

[where2]

Teslas are all over the place in South Florida. Sitting at lunch last week outside a local chain sub shop, two Tesla service techs showed up to grab some lunch... (Before anyone asks, they weren't driving a vehicle in for service...)

Keep collecting the sunshine. I just passed 4MWh over the weekend with my little 4.4kW system. (Started collecting 8/2013)

[pinballlooking]

Today was very sunny. We hit in the nineties for one day solar production! 92.3 KWH
We are officially in the nineties.
We have produced 957KWH so far this month.
We are excited to get in the nineties.

[Elcam84]

Nice. I'd love to have a system that would put out around 1500Kwh per month. That would more than break even for us year round. Summer is a bear here we have twice the cooling degree days than you do. (one big reason for wanting to move there)

Been thinking about starting off with a small system on the shop roof or on the ground near by. A system just to run the well pump would be nice but pricey.

[Vern2]

PinBall,

Way cool! Here's what I got for the last year with the 9.2k system.



TED Home Pro is sending out another MTU to add solar. I'll be able to have my kWh numbers all on one screen. With the Spyder, break out, cloth dryer, hot water, shop (2 ton heat pump, welders, Air compressor, plasma, spot welder) as one number, Volt charge and house 5 ton heat pump.

[pinballlooking]

Originally Posted by Vern2

PinBall,

Way cool! Here's what I got for the last year with the 9.2k system.



TED Home Pro is sending out another MTU to add solar. I'll be able to have my kWh numbers all on one screen. With the Spyder, break out, cloth dryer, hot water, shop (2 ton heat pump, welders, Air compressor, plasma, spot welder) as one number, Volt charge and house 5 ton heat pump.

That is such a sweet graph. You have great sun in AZ. You would never get those numbers here.
How many MW did you end up with?

Did you replace your old TED or did you always have the Pro?

[Vern2]

PinBall,

The old TED 5000 CT's got removed from power panel by solar installer. I didn't say anything, I was going to remove it myself, stupid installer. I ordered TED home pro, order got mixed up and they missed one MTU. It's all in boxes waiting for the last MTU. Nothing from TED 5000 can be reused.

Then the salesman ordered wrong inverter. Inverter companies do not supported each others monitoring system. TED Home Pro will put monitoring back together, all on one display, in office (spare bedroom) on desk (table). I bought Linksys 5 port switch, I'll have 5 links connected, when TED plugs into it. It's nice to have a home network, (wired and Free Wi-Fi zone). IPads, free cell phone calling, desktop computers, laptops, Smart TV's, Wi-Fi Blu-ray, WiFi laser printer all works together, most of the time. The big thing is when COX changes my IP address, to stop me from setting up server for running web site here at home, they want more money. There's also a Gateway running on desk.

When I was with AT&T I got an unused IP address, setting up a computer in closet, so techs could download three software tools I wrote. I sell the tools now.

I ended up with 11.7k. I want the numbers all on one display, so at a glance I can check things out. Nothing on the ground.

[pinballlooking]

Originally Posted by Vern2

PinBall,

The old TED 5000 CT's got removed from power panel by solar installer. I didn't say anything, I was going to remove it myself, stupid installer. I ordered TED home pro, order got mixed up and they missed one MTU. It's all in boxes waiting for the last MTU. Nothing from TED 5000 can be reused.

Then the salesman ordered wrong inverter. Inverter companies do not supported each others monitoring system. TED Home Pro will put monitoring back together, all on one display, in office (spare bedroom) on desk (table). I bought Linksys 5 port switch, I'll have 5 links connected, when TED plugs into it. It's nice to have a home network, (wired and Free Wi-Fi zone). IPads, free cell phone calling, desktop computers, laptops, Smart TV's, Wi-Fi Blu-ray, WiFi laser printer all works together, most of the time. The big thing is when COX changes my IP address, to stop me from setting up server for running web site here at home, they want more money. There's also a Gateway running on desk.

When I was with AT&T I got an unused IP address, setting up a computer in closet, so techs could download three software tools I wrote. I sell the tools now.

I ended up with 11.7k. I want the numbers all on one display, so at a glance I can check things out. Nothing on the ground.

What are you going to do with your old TED MTU’s if they are compatible with mine? I might be interested in them. It would be cool to monitor the new Mini Splits.

So your new solar is all installed now?

I just looked at the new TED very cool product. How many CT's do you have.

[where2]

Originally Posted by Elcam84

Been thinking about starting off with a small system on the shop roof or on the ground near by. A system just to run the well pump would be nice but pricey.

Just do it. (says the guy who designed, permitted, and installed his own 4.4kW PV system). Best evidence I can find on the web, I've got 3999 cooling degree days per year where I live. The 4.4kW array shades more than 40% of my roof.

[pinballlooking]

Originally Posted by where2

I've got 3999 cooling degree days per year where I live. The 4.4kW array shades more than 40% of my roof.

Shading your roof nice side effect. It is almost like a roof over.

[Elcam84]

Originally Posted by where2

Just do it. (says the guy who designed, permitted, and installed his own 4.4kW PV system). Best evidence I can find on the web, I've got 3999 cooling degree days per year where I live. The 4.4kW array shades more than 40% of my roof.

It is on the list towards the top just after finishing the house remodel. Only prob is plans have changed in the last year or so and LOML wants to relocate to the charlotte area. Which is fine with me as it's pretty it rains there the roads are all perfect even in the middle of nowhere and the cooling degree days are half what they are here. I have a weatherstation and last year our cooling degree days were around 3500 the 2012 was even hotter but I didn't have the station at that point. weeks of 110*/85* are common now. Cooling is one thing but the issue here is it's hot all night. 12am and it's still in the mid 90s.

I was planning on putting about 5K on the shop roof as it's south facing and almost the correct angle. Insulated steel building and the shade of the panels would be a huge help in reducing cooling load. Too many trees around the house to put them on the house.
I have a 200 amp panel in the shop and going to replace the panel in the house soon. I have a year old 200 amp panel for it. Customer wanted a different brand panel so it's a freebie.

If I were to do any solar here I'd probably do say a 1K system for the time being and then take it with us when we move. It's doubtful we would get enough more for the house with it.
I have been looking more at panels etc lately and I see some new micro inverters and a different style of single inverter systems.

I used to do commercial refrigeration now I'm an electrician... We do commercial 99.9% of the time ie we have several new moes and wendys to do this year. I'm looking at suppliers etc. I'm thinking we can do our house as a sample so I wouldn't be footing the whole bill and we can use it to show customers an end result. Always possible.
Right now I'm trying to get caught up again on what's out there and what works best etc.