DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 34

pinballlooking · 12-23-14, 11:46 AM

If you have a solar array you probably want to see what the weather looks like. The best weather app I have seen so far is MSN weather the cloud view is very good. I also like the precipitation view on the map.

Other maps have a satellite. that really does not always tell the cloud story.

Gray Court, SC - MSN Weather

Robaroni · 12-23-14, 03:45 PM

Everyone, have a great Holiday and New Year!

Rob

pinballlooking · 12-31-14, 04:56 PM

I was a great solar year. 19,542 KWh Total for this year.

We are at 10 months with on bill except meter fee $8.29. and we still have 2,829 kwh credit to heat with the next two months.
We get zeroed out March 1 so our solar year runs March 1 to March 1.

I feel blessed with the sun providing us fuel for our home and car.

NeilBlanchard · 12-31-14, 09:17 PM

Congratulations on all that energy production - that is great stuff!

pinballlooking · 12-31-14, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Congratulations on all that energy production - that is great stuff!

Thanks how did your brothers system do?

where2 · 12-31-14, 11:17 PM

December 2014: 422kWh

It's 2015, time to design the 4.6kW array for 45.8°N, and see what we can collect there.

NeilBlanchard · 01-01-15, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Thanks how did your brothers system do?

His produced 7.3MWh in the first year of production. His is slightly less than it otherwise would be because of the ~210W micro inverters. The panels are 240W, so they cannot work higher than the 210W. But they will last longer, so that is okay in the end.

pinballlooking · 01-15-15, 10:26 AM

10 months without a power bill and we still have 2813kwh credit. So far this month we have uses 712kwh of that but that ok because it will get zeroed out on March 1.
We are on track for our first netzero year.
This year it is covering natural gas bill we are using Mini Splits to heat with now.
Car Gas about 17k EV miles.
And house power.
(Our hot water is natural gas nothing else. Backup heat is natural gas.)

Robaroni · 01-15-15, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

10 months without a power bill and we still have 2813kwh credit. So far this month we have uses 712kwh of that but that ok because it will get zeroed out on March 1.
We are on track for our first netzero year.
This year it is covering natural gas bill we are using Mini Splits to heat with now.
Car Gas about 17k EV miles.
And house power.
(Our hot water is natural gas nothing else. Backup heat is natural gas.)

Mark,
We had an abysmal month last month (about 4 days of sun) but we're so far ahead that it doesn't matter. Still way ahead on our net zero too.
Rob

pinballlooking · 01-15-15, 10:44 AM

Rob
That is great on the netzero. This month has been really cloudy so far.

This is our first year after upgrading solar and moving to Mini splits for AC and Heat. So I am excited.

They might pay us this year at Zero out wholesale rate but that would be better than just zeroing us out.

We have chickens for eggs and this coming year a want to grow more food that we can maybe preserve for the winter.

I little more independent each year is the goal.

12-31-14, 04:56 PM	#333
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I was a great solar year. 19,542 KWh Total for this year. We are at 10 months with on bill except meter fee $8.29. and we still have 2,829 kwh credit to heat with the next two months. We get zeroed out March 1 so our solar year runs March 1 to March 1. I feel blessed with the sun providing us fuel for our home and car. Attached Thumbnails

01-15-15, 10:26 AM	#338
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	10 months without a power bill and we still have 2813kwh credit. So far this month we have uses 712kwh of that but that ok because it will get zeroed out on March 1. We are on track for our first netzero year. This year it is covering natural gas bill we are using Mini Splits to heat with now. Car Gas about 17k EV miles. And house power. (Our hot water is natural gas nothing else. Backup heat is natural gas.) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pinballlooking; 01-15-15 at 10:33 AM..

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12-23-14, 11:46 AM	#331
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	If you have a solar array you probably want to see what the weather looks like. The best weather app I have seen so far is MSN weather the cloud view is very good. I also like the precipitation view on the map. Other maps have a satellite. that really does not always tell the cloud story. Gray Court, SC - MSN Weather

12-23-14, 03:45 PM	#332
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	Everyone, have a great Holiday and New Year! Rob

12-31-14, 09:17 PM	#334
NeilBlanchard Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth Posts: 383 Thanks: 78 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	Congratulations on all that energy production - that is great stuff!

12-31-14, 11:17 PM	#336
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	December 2014: 422kWh It's 2015, time to design the 4.6kW array for 45.8°N, and see what we can collect there.

01-15-15, 10:44 AM	#340
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Rob That is great on the netzero. This month has been really cloudy so far. This is our first year after upgrading solar and moving to Mini splits for AC and Heat. So I am excited. They might pay us this year at Zero out wholesale rate but that would be better than just zeroing us out. We have chickens for eggs and this coming year a want to grow more food that we can maybe preserve for the winter. I little more independent each year is the goal.