DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 38

MN Renovator · 04-14-15, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

How was everyone else solar production for March?
Post your numbers.

My billing period hits at the halfway point of the months so it will be sometime between now and a few days out. Production was better last month, usage lower this month. Net +2 this month compared to last month. We've had a bunch of rain and cloud cover in the past two weeks otherwise I'd have probably have tipped over 400kwh.

pinballlooking · 04-15-15, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaroni

Funny you should mention this, I've been wondering what a used Volt will cost once the 2016 hits the market. It might be a cheap way for me to get one especially off a lease.

Rob

Maybe you could look at this car you would have to go to Maryland or have it shipped. But a lease payment $139 sounds attractive.

2015 Chevrolet Spark EV Price Cut To $25,995; $139 Lease, No Money Down

327 lbs torque 82 EV miles
2015 Spark EV Electric Vehicles | Chevrolet

Now some Volt lease deals.
2015 Volt: Electric Cars - Hybrid Cars | Chevrolet

pinballlooking · 04-21-15, 08:30 PM

We have had days with no sun and finally we put up some good numbers today 86.5 KWh

Where2 what were your April numbers in sunny FL

where2 · 04-22-15, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Where2 what were your April numbers in sunny FL

The 4.4kW array generated 589kWh for the month.

Today just happened to be the end of my 29 day electric billing cycle. Looks like my electric bill is going to be ~$37 this month, not bad considering we've been running the A/C all month.

pinballlooking · 04-27-15, 06:52 PM

I have 12.5KW solar installed but that is DC.
I have Enphase M215 microinverters they max out 225W X 54 = 12150 KW max.
Today we had our best max power 12.1 Kwh peek it has to stay that way for 6 min to register.

Even more important we just made 37MWh for system lifetime.

pinballlooking · 04-29-15, 02:50 PM

I am not in the market for more solar right now but these prices looked pretty good. $1.89 a watt with everything you need for Enphase microinverter setup.
They include racking and everything you need to install but the AC wiring.
10KW Grid-Tie System, Grid-Tie Kit 10KW

pinballlooking · 05-01-15, 04:01 PM

April was a very cloudy rainy month. We did not make our estimated numbers.
We did make 1,585 KWH and we carried forward 443 KWH not to bad even know we did not make our numbers. We will hopefully push this to the winter to heat with.

stevehull · 05-03-15, 12:11 PM

Pinball . . .

Would like your opinion on using the M215s on a 275 or 280 watts panel. I understand that these 215s put out 240 watts without clipping. The output of a 275 watt panel is basically about 250 watts max (or less depending on the rating spec you use), but only for a VERY brief period of the day.

If you were buying today, would you use the M250's with a 300 watt panel" or would you go with much less expensive panels, but more of them for a lower total system cost.

Lastly, exactly what does the M250 do (yes, one less grounding wire) compared to the 215 other than having higher output?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

pinballlooking · 05-03-15, 01:21 PM

The M215 puts out 225 watts without clipping. The M250 puts out puts out 258 without clipping.

M215 pairs nicely up to about 190-270 but 250-270 works the best.

M215 pairs up with 210-310 but 280-310 makes the most sense.
There are two version of the M215 one needs the external ground and one does not it and it is just like the new M250.

Some inspectors what to see the external ground no matter what you buy.

It seems like if you have to space you can save money going with M215 and more on sale panels. You usually can keep the price per watt installed lower. I want the best equipment at the lowest price per watt. So you can get a faster payback.

People that done have the space go with M250 and the more expensive larger panels.

The M250 can have 16 modules on a branch circuit and that goes to a 20 amp breaker.

The M215 can have 17 modules on a branch circuit and that goes to a 20 amp breaker.
That is because the each M215 is 1.09 amps and each M250 is 1 amp.

Did you see the pricing posted above for the 10K system that was panels racking branch cables to M215 …..

Here is a good sizing doc.
http://enphase.com/global/files/Enph...ightsizing.pdf

stevehull · 05-03-15, 02:44 PM

What is the model designation of the M 215 that does not need the external ground?

I am getting real close to buying and am thinking of getting the 280 watt panels that are a LOT cheaper than the 300 watt panels. The M 215 should be a very good match and if I get a few minutes of clipping, then I am not wasting much.

Will do 17 panels per string to minimize those costs. I have two large barn roofs, both within 15 degrees of south, that I can use. Probably start on the barn out of sight from the street so the county appraiser won't gig me . . .

Will do 34 panels for now (two rows) and that will be about 9 kW or so. Am on the Revnu lists so waiting for a good catch there (as you recommended)!

Any advice on the different brands of racking?

Steve

04-21-15, 08:30 PM	#373
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	We have had days with no sun and finally we put up some good numbers today 86.5 KWh Where2 what were your April numbers in sunny FL Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 04-22-15 at 01:59 AM..

04-27-15, 06:52 PM	#375
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I have 12.5KW solar installed but that is DC. I have Enphase M215 microinverters they max out 225W X 54 = 12150 KW max. Today we had our best max power 12.1 Kwh peek it has to stay that way for 6 min to register. Even more important we just made 37MWh for system lifetime. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 04-27-15 at 09:39 PM..

04-29-15, 02:50 PM	#376
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I am not in the market for more solar right now but these prices looked pretty good. $1.89 a watt with everything you need for Enphase microinverter setup. They include racking and everything you need to install but the AC wiring. 10KW Grid-Tie System, Grid-Tie Kit 10KW Attached Thumbnails

05-01-15, 04:01 PM	#377
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	April was a very cloudy rainy month. We did not make our estimated numbers. We did make 1,585 KWH and we carried forward 443 KWH not to bad even know we did not make our numbers. We will hopefully push this to the winter to heat with. Attached Thumbnails

05-03-15, 12:11 PM	#378
stevehull Steve Hull Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA Posts: 826 Thanks: 241 Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts	Pinball . . . Would like your opinion on using the M215s on a 275 or 280 watts panel. I understand that these 215s put out 240 watts without clipping. The output of a 275 watt panel is basically about 250 watts max (or less depending on the rating spec you use), but only for a VERY brief period of the day. If you were buying today, would you use the M250's with a 300 watt panel" or would you go with much less expensive panels, but more of them for a lower total system cost. Lastly, exactly what does the M250 do (yes, one less grounding wire) compared to the 215 other than having higher output? Thanks in advance. Steve __________________ consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990

05-03-15, 01:21 PM	#379
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	The M215 puts out 225 watts without clipping. The M250 puts out puts out 258 without clipping. M215 pairs nicely up to about 190-270 but 250-270 works the best. M215 pairs up with 210-310 but 280-310 makes the most sense. There are two version of the M215 one needs the external ground and one does not it and it is just like the new M250. Some inspectors what to see the external ground no matter what you buy. It seems like if you have to space you can save money going with M215 and more on sale panels. You usually can keep the price per watt installed lower. I want the best equipment at the lowest price per watt. So you can get a faster payback. People that done have the space go with M250 and the more expensive larger panels. The M250 can have 16 modules on a branch circuit and that goes to a 20 amp breaker. The M215 can have 17 modules on a branch circuit and that goes to a 20 amp breaker. That is because the each M215 is 1.09 amps and each M250 is 1 amp. Did you see the pricing posted above for the 10K system that was panels racking branch cables to M215 ….. Here is a good sizing doc. http://enphase.com/global/files/Enph...ightsizing.pdf Last edited by pinballlooking; 05-08-15 at 10:33 AM..

05-03-15, 02:44 PM	#380
stevehull Steve Hull Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA Posts: 826 Thanks: 241 Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts	What is the model designation of the M 215 that does not need the external ground? I am getting real close to buying and am thinking of getting the 280 watt panels that are a LOT cheaper than the 300 watt panels. The M 215 should be a very good match and if I get a few minutes of clipping, then I am not wasting much. Will do 17 panels per string to minimize those costs. I have two large barn roofs, both within 15 degrees of south, that I can use. Probably start on the barn out of sight from the street so the county appraiser won't gig me . . . Will do 34 panels for now (two rows) and that will be about 9 kW or so. Am on the Revnu lists so waiting for a good catch there (as you recommended)! Any advice on the different brands of racking? Steve __________________ consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990 Last edited by stevehull; 05-03-15 at 04:53 PM..