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Old 06-23-15, 09:18 AM   #21
pinballlooking
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Nice savings. Nothing better than seeing your bill go down instead of up.

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Old 09-08-15, 10:23 AM   #22
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Quick update. Things have been working great, no regrets! I've been using a inductive power monitor since the end of May to keep tally of the power generated. As of today its produced 880kwh, 3rd tier power charge would retail $129 . On cloudless days I average 9.2-9.4kwh with 9.6 being the max produced in one day. In a week I generate 60-65kwh average. Unfortunately we do use way more power than we generate but his has helped our billing. July we just broke into the 3rd tier of over 1000kw usage but we had guests staying with us 7days. August, quite similar but long month of 100 degree days and no rain. With low 90s, rain and normal temperature forecast we should have now problem keeping our consumption below 1000kwh this cycle.
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Old 02-02-16, 09:04 AM   #23
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The little array is still chugging along. Its produced 1.76 mega watts since I began measuring it. 2 mega watts should occur before its 1st year. The last 3 months billing has all been below 500kw usage. December was close, we had an additional 3 days on the bill cycle, plus Xmas at our house with out of town guests, cooking with electric oven and an unusual warm spell requiring a/c to keep wife and family happy. Winter time output is still good on sunny days, had a 8 kw day last week. Weekly output between 40-50kw depending on weather patterns.
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Old 02-02-16, 09:16 AM   #24
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Thanks for the update.
Sweet… The thing I love about solar is after you install it you don’t have to do anything but watch how well it is doing.
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Old 02-02-16, 11:44 AM   #25
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Very nice

You can find a $10 logger with LCD screen that will show you stats and save data even in power outtage, but you wire it in between the input and your panel. I've posted about it and others put up links for it. A useful little device for any power draw/input.
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Old 02-02-16, 12:03 PM   #26
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Can you refresh that link for the $10 logger?

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Old 02-02-16, 06:32 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehull View Post
Can you refresh that link for the $10 logger?
I believe he was referring to this thread under For Sale/Wanted/Web Finds:
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/sale-t...-12-bucks.html

The link in the first post under that thread still works. That's the version that requires all the measured energy to run through the screw terminals attached to the board. Also made by Peacefair is another version that looks nearly identical but comes with a current tap (doughnut) to go around the wire you want to sense the power draw on. Both are out on eBay for under $10. My stateside source is out of stock and wants $18.
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Old 02-02-16, 07:36 PM   #28
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Here is what I use for my generator but should give you the info you need. Link
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Old 03-07-16, 09:08 AM   #29
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Produced 2 mega watts gross output March 4th after less than a year of operation!
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Old 08-13-16, 10:36 AM   #30
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Hey GTO,

I'm a fellow Austinite and I'm looking into my first solar installation. Our roof isn't suitable so I'm hoping to install it on a shed. This is the type of shed that you buy for $400 at Home Depot and install on a plywood floor. But, I'm not sure how the permitting for that would work... Do you have any insights? Or could you connect me to your hobbyist contacts?

It seems like you're flying under the radar with your installation, which is tempting. I was also looking at these plug-in kits, but they are about $3.40/Watt. Very easy to install, though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0T52TW...RE2GGJ376YJXWH

I suppose I'll call a professional installer and see what they have to say, but I'm sure it's going to be ridiculously expensive for a few panels on a shed roof.


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