DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 65

antdun · 10-05-17, 12:46 PM

6.38 kW array we generated 925.57 kWh in September 2017
We consumed 1,183.58 kWh
253 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor
267 kWh of that was Freeze Dryer
405.57 kWh remaining household electricity consumption
We had to purchase 258 kWh from the grid. The weather has cooled so AC isn't being used anymore. Going forward our solar should just barely keep up with electricity needs on sunny days.

where2 · 10-08-17, 10:00 AM

My 4.4kW system:
September 2017: 360kWh
September 2016: 433kWh
September 2015: 422kWh
September 2014: 446kWh
September 2013: 452kWh

September 2017, Hurricane Irma came through, and the PV system was disengaged from the grid for 6 days, to give the grid time to re-stabilize. (we were only without grid power for ~60 hours, but fluctuations in the grid continued for days as more customers were re-energized). Even after the storm, it was a rather rainy month.

pinballlooking · 12-05-17, 02:58 PM

12.5 kW array we generated 1,821 kWh Oct 2017
We made 296 more kWh than we used.

Oct 2017= 1,821 kWh
Oct 2016= 1,732 kWh
Oct 2015= 1,347 kWh
Oct 2014= 1,668 kWh

Nov 2017= 1,196 kWh
Nov 2016= 1,333 kWh
Nov 2015= 955 kWh
Nov 2014= 1,348 kWh
We still have 1,203 Kw banked for the winter.

I have one micro inverter that is working but it is 20% below what it should be making.
I got a RMA number today and Enphase is sending out a new one to me. I have a spare I will install and use the one they send me as the spare. This is my first issue with the array since the install. Without per panel monitoring this would not be detectable.

Other solar producers show us your numbers when you have them.

gasstingy · 12-05-17, 04:02 PM

I have struggled with Enphase to no avail for months. I can't get past their telephone roadblock, because I don't have an Installer ID. I self-installed and I don't remember ever having an ID. I sent a registered letter that they haven't acknowledged, either. I feel like this is their way of disallowing warranty repairs.

I've contacted Blake @ Mr Solar to try and find a replacement inverter. Enphase changed the connector used to daisy chain their inverters together, so it's more difficult than I thought it would be to find a replacement. I really wish I hadn't bought anything from Enphase, it's too frustrating.

Blake is searching through old inventory, and I'm hoping he finds an inverter that fits the string connectors like my 2007 & 2009 inverters have.

I didn't use Enphase for the big array. We installed a Sunny Boy 5000 and I really like it. I've had to replace 1 fuse after a lightning ground strike {right in front of the array racking}, and 1 time after a bad storm we only needed to reset a breaker the Solar Array Circuit Breaker panel. Much easier for someone not so tech savvy such as myself.

pinballlooking · 12-05-17, 04:19 PM

I filled out a support case online 11/27 I had not heard back so this morning I called in to support.
I fell into the installers trap so I called the main number back selected sales then the operator.

I told them I was the owner and the installer that their system would not let me get to support. I told them I had a case number.

She said she would just transfer me straight to support.
I waited maybe 15 min. the support guy was great he looked at the inverted that was underperforming by around 20% saw my install did not have shading that would cause this.
He said he would issue a RMA they even just mailed me a prepaid label to send the bad one back. I have a spare micro inverter on hand so now I will install it and keep the replacement for a spare.

I made him aware of their system would not let me get to them directly.
It would not let me get a RMA through their service web site.
https://service.enphaseenergy.com/
He said he would talk to the developer about these issues but who knows

My email from Enphase
"Enphase Warranty Claim - Approval to return"
I received this email a couple hours after the support call.

gasstingy · 12-05-17, 04:33 PM

Did you call 877-797-4743 to get help? If not, I'd love to know the number you called.

pinballlooking · 12-05-17, 04:37 PM

Yes that is the number. Then I listed the exact steps above.
Operator transferred me right to support queue.

If you pick support when you call this number you cant get through to support.
Not as a owner/self installer.

gasstingy · 12-05-17, 04:53 PM

I've printed your first reply so I can follow the directions to the letter.

VERY much appreciated

antdun · 12-06-17, 10:40 AM

6.38 kW array we generated 1,010 kWh in October 2017
We consumed 683 kWh
40 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor

For November we generated 626.51 kWh
We consumed 676 kWh
49 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor
We didn't have to buy from the grid because of our banked hours from October

pinballlooking · 12-06-17, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antdun

6.38 kW array we generated 1,010 kWh in October 2017
We consumed 683 kWh
40 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor

For November we generated 626.51 kWh
We consumed 676 kWh
49 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor
We didn't have to buy from the grid because of our banked hours from October

Nice numbers

10-05-17, 12:46 PM	#641
antdun Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 25 Thanks: 5 Thanked 15 Times in 10 Posts	6.38 kW array we generated 925.57 kWh in September 2017 We consumed 1,183.58 kWh 253 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor 267 kWh of that was Freeze Dryer 405.57 kWh remaining household electricity consumption We had to purchase 258 kWh from the grid. The weather has cooled so AC isn't being used anymore. Going forward our solar should just barely keep up with electricity needs on sunny days. __________________ DIY installed a 9.98 kW rooftop solar system with REC TP2 panels, SolarEdge SE7600a-us grid tie inverter, power optimizers, & Snap 'N Rack mounting system.

12-05-17, 02:58 PM	#643
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	12.5 kW array we generated 1,821 kWh Oct 2017 We made 296 more kWh than we used. Oct 2017= 1,821 kWh Oct 2016= 1,732 kWh Oct 2015= 1,347 kWh Oct 2014= 1,668 kWh Nov 2017= 1,196 kWh Nov 2016= 1,333 kWh Nov 2015= 955 kWh Nov 2014= 1,348 kWh We still have 1,203 Kw banked for the winter. I have one micro inverter that is working but it is 20% below what it should be making. I got a RMA number today and Enphase is sending out a new one to me. I have a spare I will install and use the one they send me as the spare. This is my first issue with the array since the install. Without per panel monitoring this would not be detectable. Other solar producers show us your numbers when you have them. __________________ 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.

12-05-17, 04:19 PM	#645
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I filled out a support case online 11/27 I had not heard back so this morning I called in to support. I fell into the installers trap so I called the main number back selected sales then the operator. I told them I was the owner and the installer that their system would not let me get to support. I told them I had a case number. She said she would just transfer me straight to support. I waited maybe 15 min. the support guy was great he looked at the inverted that was underperforming by around 20% saw my install did not have shading that would cause this. He said he would issue a RMA they even just mailed me a prepaid label to send the bad one back. I have a spare micro inverter on hand so now I will install it and keep the replacement for a spare. I made him aware of their system would not let me get to them directly. It would not let me get a RMA through their service web site. https://service.enphaseenergy.com/ He said he would talk to the developer about these issues but who knows My email from Enphase "Enphase Warranty Claim - Approval to return" I received this email a couple hours after the support call. __________________ 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.

12-05-17, 04:37 PM	#647
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Yes that is the number. Then I listed the exact steps above. Operator transferred me right to support queue. If you pick support when you call this number you cant get through to support. Not as a owner/self installer. __________________ 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; 12-05-17 at 06:34 PM..

12-06-17, 10:40 AM	#649
antdun Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 25 Thanks: 5 Thanked 15 Times in 10 Posts	6.38 kW array we generated 1,010 kWh in October 2017 We consumed 683 kWh 40 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor For November we generated 626.51 kWh We consumed 676 kWh 49 kWh of that was AC/HVAC blower motor We didn't have to buy from the grid because of our banked hours from October __________________ DIY installed a 9.98 kW rooftop solar system with REC TP2 panels, SolarEdge SE7600a-us grid tie inverter, power optimizers, & Snap 'N Rack mounting system.

10-08-17, 10:00 AM	#642
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	My 4.4kW system: September 2017: 360kWh September 2016: 433kWh September 2015: 422kWh September 2014: 446kWh September 2013: 452kWh September 2017, Hurricane Irma came through, and the PV system was disengaged from the grid for 6 days, to give the grid time to re-stabilize. (we were only without grid power for ~60 hours, but fluctuations in the grid continued for days as more customers were re-energized). Even after the storm, it was a rather rainy month.

12-05-17, 04:02 PM	#644
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	I have struggled with Enphase to no avail for months. I can't get past their telephone roadblock, because I don't have an Installer ID. I self-installed and I don't remember ever having an ID. I sent a registered letter that they haven't acknowledged, either. I feel like this is their way of disallowing warranty repairs. I've contacted Blake @ Mr Solar to try and find a replacement inverter. Enphase changed the connector used to daisy chain their inverters together, so it's more difficult than I thought it would be to find a replacement. I really wish I hadn't bought anything from Enphase, it's too frustrating. Blake is searching through old inventory, and I'm hoping he finds an inverter that fits the string connectors like my 2007 & 2009 inverters have. I didn't use Enphase for the big array. We installed a Sunny Boy 5000 and I really like it. I've had to replace 1 fuse after a lightning ground strike {right in front of the array racking}, and 1 time after a bad storm we only needed to reset a breaker the Solar Array Circuit Breaker panel. Much easier for someone not so tech savvy such as myself.

12-05-17, 04:33 PM	#646
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	Did you call 877-797-4743 to get help? If not, I'd love to know the number you called.

12-05-17, 04:53 PM	#648
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	I've printed your first reply so I can follow the directions to the letter. VERY much appreciated