DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 45

where2 · 08-13-15, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

... I would love to have some of deals you guys are getting. I am amazed more people don’t install solar with some of the deals out there.

I get no deals in the "Sunshine State". Closest I get is a Net Meter that only costs me $7.57/mo (same as any other smart metered electric service). Considering I run my central A/C 10 months out of the year and my electric bill hasn't been more than $69 in 24 months (all electric house built in 1962), I'm still scratching my head wondering why I'm the only house on my street with a PV array? My projected bill for this month is $46, not bad when it's hitting 91°F every afternoon and only gets to a sticky 75°F at night (if I'm lucky). My A/C compressor is running 5-6 hours of actual run time per day, for a mere $46/mo!

gasstingy · 08-14-15, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I am amazed more people don’t install solar with some of the deals out there.

I 100% agree with that. In the 2 1/2 years since my system came on line, there are 4 systems, total, through our local utility, mine included. I'm better than 48% paid off and these are long-life assets.

There are people who are scammed out of thousands that frequently make the TV news, crying after they bite on one of those too good to be true sales pitches. This is a contractually guaranteed deal! Oh well, who can tell what lurks.....

pinballlooking · 08-18-15, 02:32 PM

Here is a great use for solar power. Powering your car and saving buying gas. The savings really adds up.
Yes we still buy some gas but we are 81.60% EV driving.

We just hit 40,000 EV miles solar powered EV miles on our 2013 Chevy Volt.
We have a total 49,000 miles with only one oil change need so far.
The car is fun to drive and has been very dependable. There is someone out there with 90K EV miles so far on their 2012 Chevy Volt.

EV car is such a good use for solar power. A little over two years we have driven 40K miles just using the suns power. It is a amazing time we live in right now.

Robaroni · 08-19-15, 07:16 AM

Hi Guys,

Here's my August bill. It shows 186 KWH used but that's not really accurate as my 4.2Kw system feeds the house needs and sends the excess to my utility. In fact I've been welding and using power tools all month so I'd say there's easily another 150 to 200KWH over the 186 it shows.

Mark,
It looks like the new Volt is really going to be a great car (not that yours isn't), boy I'd love to be charging like you! Another thing I just found out is that the two most reliable car manufacturers are - get this - Toyota and GM! Now they have the Bolt concept car, they're talking about fully electric 200 mile range.

Rob

pinballlooking · 08-19-15, 07:40 AM

I posted about the new Bolt a while back.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/conser...y-bolt-ev.html
I think it is great they are putting this out.

The Volt still works better for me we live too far out of town. I am sure it will work for a lot of people.
It looks like GM will get there Bolt to market before Tesla gets the model 3 to market.

The new Volt has potential to do very well. The base model 34K – 7.5K Fed – our state 2K = 24,500 that is a lot of car for that much money. Some states have a higher tax break.

Robaroni · 08-19-15, 07:58 AM

The thing for me with tax breaks is that I'm retired so my income is SS and a pension which means I'll never save much. Doesn't it work that you get 7.5k off your income so if you're in a 25% tax bracket you get 25% off the 7.5k or about $1800.00? Am I doing it wrong?

I just looked at my electric bill for the last year as it's been building pretty well. Last Sept. I was $508 ahead on my bill this year it looks like I'll be about $100 ahead of that by next month. The interesting thing is that I was using electric heaters last year to supplement my house heat and I'm still ahead on the bill.

Rob

pinballlooking · 08-19-15, 08:44 AM

It is a tax credit not a rebate. (I think they should have made it a rebate)
If you owe the fed gov 7,500 or more that you will get full credit. You have to use it all in the year you buy the car. My state one can be carried forward.

If you lease the leasing CO gets the credit and they reduce your payment because of this.

I like to see all those negative numbers!

Robaroni · 08-19-15, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I like to see all those negative numbers!

Me too! You can see where the brunt of my electric heater usage came into play. Last winter was a real bear up here so I may do better next winter, especially if the wind power is up.
Rob

Robaroni · 08-19-15, 02:31 PM

Do you run that high a pressure all year long?

pinballlooking · 08-21-15, 11:33 AM

Yes it really helps EV miles. The OEM tires do not hold up well it you don't put that much air. I have replaced the OEM tires but it still helps to run 45 psi.
Tire pressure can really make a difference with EV miles.

08-18-15, 02:32 PM	#443
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Here is a great use for solar power. Powering your car and saving buying gas. The savings really adds up. Yes we still buy some gas but we are 81.60% EV driving. We just hit 40,000 EV miles solar powered EV miles on our 2013 Chevy Volt. We have a total 49,000 miles with only one oil change need so far. The car is fun to drive and has been very dependable. There is someone out there with 90K EV miles so far on their 2012 Chevy Volt. EV car is such a good use for solar power. A little over two years we have driven 40K miles just using the suns power. It is a amazing time we live in right now. Attached Thumbnails

08-19-15, 07:16 AM	#444
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	My August bill is in Hi Guys, Here's my August bill. It shows 186 KWH used but that's not really accurate as my 4.2Kw system feeds the house needs and sends the excess to my utility. In fact I've been welding and using power tools all month so I'd say there's easily another 150 to 200KWH over the 186 it shows. Mark, It looks like the new Volt is really going to be a great car (not that yours isn't), boy I'd love to be charging like you! Another thing I just found out is that the two most reliable car manufacturers are - get this - Toyota and GM! Now they have the Bolt concept car, they're talking about fully electric 200 mile range. Rob Attached Thumbnails

08-19-15, 07:58 AM	#446
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	The thing for me with tax breaks is that I'm retired so my income is SS and a pension which means I'll never save much. Doesn't it work that you get 7.5k off your income so if you're in a 25% tax bracket you get 25% off the 7.5k or about $1800.00? Am I doing it wrong? I just looked at my electric bill for the last year as it's been building pretty well. Last Sept. I was $508 ahead on my bill this year it looks like I'll be about $100 ahead of that by next month. The interesting thing is that I was using electric heaters last year to supplement my house heat and I'm still ahead on the bill. Rob Attached Thumbnails

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08-19-15, 07:40 AM	#445
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I posted about the new Bolt a while back. http://ecorenovator.org/forum/conser...y-bolt-ev.html I think it is great they are putting this out. The Volt still works better for me we live too far out of town. I am sure it will work for a lot of people. It looks like GM will get there Bolt to market before Tesla gets the model 3 to market. The new Volt has potential to do very well. The base model 34K – 7.5K Fed – our state 2K = 24,500 that is a lot of car for that much money. Some states have a higher tax break.

08-19-15, 08:44 AM	#447
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	It is a tax credit not a rebate. (I think they should have made it a rebate) If you owe the fed gov 7,500 or more that you will get full credit. You have to use it all in the year you buy the car. My state one can be carried forward. If you lease the leasing CO gets the credit and they reduce your payment because of this. I like to see all those negative numbers!

08-19-15, 02:31 PM	#449
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	Do you run that high a pressure all year long?

08-21-15, 11:33 AM	#450
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Yes it really helps EV miles. The OEM tires do not hold up well it you don't put that much air. I have replaced the OEM tires but it still helps to run 45 psi. Tire pressure can really make a difference with EV miles.