DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 51

pinballlooking · 03-01-16, 09:36 PM

12.5 KW array 1.24 MW was the estimate,
Feb 2016 1300 KW generated. But used 621 KW more than I made but I had banked 1,237

This is the month we get zeroed out that I will have 661KW extra for the year.

I am going to get a check for the first time for the extra powered that is zeroed out. They will pay me with avoided cost. Last time I checked it was .06 cents that would make it $36.96 check.

Other solar producers show us your numbers if you could give us the estimate and what you made.

Robaroni · 03-02-16, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

12.5 KW array 1.24 MW was the estimate,
Feb 2016 1300 KW generated. But used 621 KW more than I made but I had banked 1,237

This is the month we get zeroed out that I will have 661KW extra for the year.

I am going to get a check for the first time for the extra powered that is zeroed out. They will pay me with avoided cost. Last time I checked it was .06 cents that would make it $36.96 check.

Other solar producers show us your numbers if you could give us the estimate and what you made.

Neat stuff! I like the fish -vegetation scheme. Post my PV around the 18th.
Rob

where2 · 03-02-16, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Other solar producers show us your numbers if you could give us the estimate and what you made.

4.4kW array=439kWh in February 2016. (440kWh in February 2015)

gasstingy · 03-04-16, 05:53 PM

6.81 kW array = 740 kWh in February.

Thankful for the extra day, worth 38 kWh of that total.

pinballlooking · 03-09-16, 08:34 PM

I thought this was good. The first 40 solar panels I installed are almost three years old. They have all have made $100 or just over $100 now. They are earning their keep. it is fun to see the number just add up.
They each have made 1.00MWh - 1.03MWh

I have done nothing to the array since I installed it. Just watched the power roll in.

where2 · 03-10-16, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I thought this was good. The first 40 solar panels I installed are almost three years old. They have all have made $100 or just over $100 now. They are earning their keep. it is fun to see the number just add up.

I have done nothing to the array since I installed it. Just watched the power roll in.

In under three years (system went active 8/1/2013), I've collected everywhere from 705kWh-787kWh out of each of my 20 panels (15.5MWh), and I've only washed 6 of them. I'm at $85 per panel.

gasstingy · 03-11-16, 10:02 AM

where2,

Can you tell me what, "I'm at $85 per panel" means exactly? Part of me thinks you mean it's the amount left that your array has yet to pay back, based on your tax credit and the amount of money you haven't sent to your local utility, etc. If so, it compares phenomonally better that I am doing.

At the average cost of my 175w panels {purchased 4 in 2007 @ $898/ea and 2 in 2008 @ $498/ea} and the average cost of my 240w panels {24 @ $337.00/ea in 2012}, plus the cost of everything else, minus the tax credits & savings on the power bill plus the actual payments received from excess generation.... I'm 51.486% paid back since going active 12/17/12. I'm expecting a total payback time of 10.5 years +/-.

{I do bookkeeping work for a living, so I have a spreadsheet I update 5 days a week with the generated amount in a formula to tell me where I'm at. I was really pumped up when I cleared 50% a short while back!}

pinballlooking · 03-11-16, 11:00 AM

We are already past ½ paid for under three years. We are on track for 5 ½ year payback.
I bought everything on sale. The panels were .78 a watt shipped. I am so glad I was able to buy in when we did.

Combined savings are much greater. Because we have not turned on out natural gas heat for two years now. We also cover charging our car for about 18-20 K miles a year.

My power company is now offering rebates for home owners that install solar. But only if you hire someone else to install it for you. They do the same for efficient HVAC rebates and hot water tank rebates.
They usually have their approved vendors list.

gasstingy · 03-11-16, 11:34 AM

A 5 1/2 year payback. I'm envious. I must have dove in a bit earlier than you, plus, when I started, I told my solar guru to only get American made items. Then I hired a contractor friend to set the foundation piers for my little array and another trip out for him to set the 4 steel columns to hold the big array. And I paid to get the design blueprints so I could build the {easily} adjustable rack for the little array.

I did a lot of paying....and a lot of lobbying my very resistant-to-change electric cooperative to allow me to hook all this up to the grid.

pinballlooking · 03-11-16, 11:45 AM

Yes you system is much more of a pioneer. That is great without the earlier adopters the panels and equipment would have never came down in price. The prices are even lower now.
We have made 5.3 MWh lifetime of the system.

It is funny shopping for a good deal you have to also consider the cost of not putting solar in sooner. If you miss spring for a better price you probably did not save any money at all. Once you decide to install you have to look at what you could be making by waiting.
Just a different way to look at it.

03-01-16, 09:36 PM	#501
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	12.5 KW array 1.24 MW was the estimate, Feb 2016 1300 KW generated. But used 621 KW more than I made but I had banked 1,237 This is the month we get zeroed out that I will have 661KW extra for the year. I am going to get a check for the first time for the extra powered that is zeroed out. They will pay me with avoided cost. Last time I checked it was .06 cents that would make it $36.96 check. Other solar producers show us your numbers if you could give us the estimate and what you made. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-09-16, 08:34 PM	#505
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I thought this was good. The first 40 solar panels I installed are almost three years old. They have all have made $100 or just over $100 now. They are earning their keep. it is fun to see the number just add up. They each have made 1.00MWh - 1.03MWh I have done nothing to the array since I installed it. Just watched the power roll in. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by pinballlooking; 03-10-16 at 09:49 PM..

03-11-16, 11:00 AM	#508
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	We are already past ½ paid for under three years. We are on track for 5 ½ year payback. I bought everything on sale. The panels were .78 a watt shipped. I am so glad I was able to buy in when we did. Combined savings are much greater. Because we have not turned on out natural gas heat for two years now. We also cover charging our car for about 18-20 K miles a year. My power company is now offering rebates for home owners that install solar. But only if you hire someone else to install it for you. They do the same for efficient HVAC rebates and hot water tank rebates. They usually have their approved vendors list. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-11-16, 11:45 AM	#510
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Yes you system is much more of a pioneer. That is great without the earlier adopters the panels and equipment would have never came down in price. The prices are even lower now. We have made 5.3 MWh lifetime of the system. It is funny shopping for a good deal you have to also consider the cost of not putting solar in sooner. If you miss spring for a better price you probably did not save any money at all. Once you decide to install you have to look at what you could be making by waiting. Just a different way to look at it. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-04-16, 05:53 PM	#504
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	6.81 kW array = 740 kWh in February. Thankful for the extra day, worth 38 kWh of that total.

03-11-16, 10:02 AM	#507
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	where2, Can you tell me what, "I'm at $85 per panel" means exactly? Part of me thinks you mean it's the amount left that your array has yet to pay back, based on your tax credit and the amount of money you haven't sent to your local utility, etc. If so, it compares phenomonally better that I am doing. At the average cost of my 175w panels {purchased 4 in 2007 @ $898/ea and 2 in 2008 @ $498/ea} and the average cost of my 240w panels {24 @ $337.00/ea in 2012}, plus the cost of everything else, minus the tax credits & savings on the power bill plus the actual payments received from excess generation.... I'm 51.486% paid back since going active 12/17/12. I'm expecting a total payback time of 10.5 years +/-. {I do bookkeeping work for a living, so I have a spreadsheet I update 5 days a week with the generated amount in a formula to tell me where I'm at. I was really pumped up when I cleared 50% a short while back!}

03-11-16, 11:34 AM	#509
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	A 5 1/2 year payback. I'm envious. I must have dove in a bit earlier than you, plus, when I started, I told my solar guru to only get American made items. Then I hired a contractor friend to set the foundation piers for my little array and another trip out for him to set the 4 steel columns to hold the big array. And I paid to get the design blueprints so I could build the {easily} adjustable rack for the little array. I did a lot of paying....and a lot of lobbying my very resistant-to-change electric cooperative to allow me to hook all this up to the grid.