EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Solar Power
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-23-18, 10:32 PM   #1
NeilBlanchard
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 383
Thanks: 78
Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts
Default 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):




And the equipment in the basement:




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.

NeilBlanchard is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to NeilBlanchard For This Useful Post:
Daox (03-26-18), Kimi Xiong (10-25-18), Marinija (03-27-18)
Old 03-24-18, 06:24 AM   #2
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

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?
__________________
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.
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-18, 09:05 AM   #3
NeilBlanchard
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 383
Thanks: 78
Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts
Default

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.
NeilBlanchard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-18, 12:18 PM   #4
oil pan 4
Land owner
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NM
Posts: 1,026
Thanks: 12
Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts
Default

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.
oil pan 4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-18, 01:41 PM   #5
NeilBlanchard
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 383
Thanks: 78
Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts
Default

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.
NeilBlanchard is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to NeilBlanchard For This Useful Post:
Daox (04-07-18), where2 (04-07-18)
Old 04-06-18, 02:33 PM   #6
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

It does not matter very exciting time!
It is amazing how much power you can make on a cloudy day.
__________________
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.
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to pinballlooking For This Useful Post:
NeilBlanchard (04-06-18)
Old 04-07-18, 04:25 PM   #7
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

Woohoo, congrats Neil!
__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-18, 08:45 PM   #8
NeilBlanchard
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 383
Thanks: 78
Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts
Default

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!
NeilBlanchard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-18, 09:03 PM   #9
Xringer
Lex Parsimoniae
 
Xringer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Woburn, MA
Posts: 4,918
Thanks: 114
Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts
Default

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..
__________________
My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits
EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..
Xringer is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Xringer For This Useful Post:
NeilBlanchard (04-18-18)
Old 04-18-18, 10:07 AM   #10
NeilBlanchard
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 383
Thanks: 78
Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts
Default

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.

NeilBlanchard is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design