Cheap panel? - Page 6

Xringer · 03-14-11, 05:38 PM

90 AH isn't too bad. I think mine are 115..
You might want to talk to 'Helloman' about the batteries he got.
He is not satisfied with AH and has found some with more AH (He's kicking himself).

BUT, those 90 AH batteries are the real deal Deep Cycle and not DP (dual purpose).
A lot of people prefer the Deep Cycle over DP..

techhi · 03-17-11, 04:32 PM

Just got some nice panels in today they are big all 10 of them
Ordered 8 Enpase micoinverters at $159 each and got a Envoy for $200
the 2 other panels will be my "Play Battery" panels. the micros should pay for themselves with wiring(already have tons of standard wire),efficiency,simplicity and durability + Tax credit next year (I hope), I had 2 120 watt Monos I sold off for around $600 the other day.

now just need to figure out a racking system that will have enough room for the Micros
these will be going up on the roof front.And need to bust out the chainsaw for a little pruning Would love to take my neighbors tree down, back yard slopes and to much shading

credit card company was sending me alerts for suspicious activity the last few days LOL

Xringer · 03-17-11, 08:01 PM

Nice!!
How were they packaged? I got them to send mine individually packed, since I'm too
old to be lugging around jumbo packages..

I've been working on my mount today. I think two more panels (80 pounds?) is going
to be pushing my luck. I can hardly lift the current setup now.
Later this week, it's going to be 160 lbs + hardware and 2x4s... Around 200 pounds.
I'll need a jack to adjust the sensational angle..

Got the outriggers on today..

Made the new rear support arms this evening..

Xringer · 03-18-11, 09:28 AM

You should start a thread for your project. So, we can all get the details,
of where you got those Enphase GTIs at those prices.. What model they are? Etc.

Envoy for $200? That's pretty good. Are you going to buy the Envoy server service?
Or just use the Envoy network cable connection, in-house? Local monitoring?

If you have NStar, you will need to get the "Simplified Process Interconnections Application Instructions",
if you haven't done so already. (I think this is what looks like).
www.nstaronline.com/docs3/interconnections/simple-app.pdf

National Grid? Can't get the file to load...

techhi · 03-18-11, 10:50 AM

yes I need to take some pics
the envoy got on ebay
the Micros got at Broosha Solar - Home emailed and called direct
the service is $2 a year per inverter or better price for 3 year not to bad would be $16 a year for me but you say there is a aftermarket or other software will look for it.

I would love to make a mount facing south because my house faces SE that is my only hurdle at this point leaning towards roof at SE to shady in the back

Xringer · 03-18-11, 12:20 PM

You know what they say about pics, they are at least equal to dozens of words..

I had never heard of Broosha Solar before. That looks like an industrial site.
It sounds like you got a good deal. I've seen some Enphase that were really cheap,
but they were 208v, instead of 220v..

$16 a year might be good when you first start and want to keep a super close eye on panel performance.
But, after a while, when things are stable, the data might become somewhat boring.

As far as I know, there is no aftermarket data collection/plotting software.
But, the Envoy has a built-in basic Webpage, where you can see performance and trouble shoot etc..
People have been trying to use that webpage to mine the data, so they can use it with Excel etc..
Enphase Data Access - Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun

If I get into grid-tie, I would likely just use the built-in webpage with an old PC.
From what I've read, it seems like enough data for me..

Heynow999 · 03-20-11, 08:46 PM

Thats my House!, back in post #8.

If you have any questions ask away. I built it out of galvanised steel tube and clamps. The common name for them is Kee clamps but I used a knock-off made by Alvin Industrial.

ALVIN INDUSTRIAL SALES LTD. AIS klamps, casters, racking, plastic end caps, rotalock, key klamp, winches AIS Ltd.

It was not cheap, but I wanted it to look good and last a long time.

Xringer · 03-20-11, 11:29 PM

Heynow, that is some slick hardware you got there. Seems to be very versatile..
http://www.alvinindustrial.com/photo...oorShelter.jpg
http://www.alvinindustrial.com/photoG/images/bench.jpg
Like you could build all sorts of structures..
Thanks for the link. Their specs look pretty good.

How many panels do you have up there now? And what's their specs?

Cheers,
Rich

Heynow999 · 03-24-11, 09:26 PM

I have 16 x 160 watt Evergreen poly modules on the rack. It was all installed at once, about 2 years ago. I just recently added 3.3kw to my roof using 185 watt monos and Enphase inverters.

I have been trying to compare the output of my central inverter system to my Enphase system. If I compare production per/watt it seems that the Enphase system puts out about %25 more. I definately need to do more day to day comparisons of output to get long term numbers of which system is better.

You also have to consider the Enphase modules are high quality monos and the Evergreens are "Blemished" and 2 years old

Xringer · 03-24-11, 11:04 PM

Two years on a panel that should last decades, is just a drop in the bucket.
Those panels should still be pumping out 160w for many more years.

Those EnPhase GTIs should be helping the numbers from the new 3.3kw array.
From what I hear, those thing really milk a panel..

03-17-11, 04:32 PM	#52
techhi Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: S.Jersey Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just got some nice panels in today they are big all 10 of them Ordered 8 Enpase micoinverters at $159 each and got a Envoy for $200 the 2 other panels will be my "Play Battery" panels. the micros should pay for themselves with wiring(already have tons of standard wire),efficiency,simplicity and durability + Tax credit next year (I hope), I had 2 120 watt Monos I sold off for around $600 the other day. now just need to figure out a racking system that will have enough room for the Micros these will be going up on the roof front.And need to bust out the chainsaw for a little pruning Would love to take my neighbors tree down, back yard slopes and to much shading credit card company was sending me alerts for suspicious activity the last few days LOL Last edited by techhi; 03-17-11 at 04:36 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-14-11, 05:38 PM	#51
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	90 AH isn't too bad. I think mine are 115.. You might want to talk to 'Helloman' about the batteries he got. He is not satisfied with AH and has found some with more AH (He's kicking himself). BUT, those 90 AH batteries are the real deal Deep Cycle and not DP (dual purpose). A lot of people prefer the Deep Cycle over DP..

03-17-11, 08:01 PM	#53
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Nice!! How were they packaged? I got them to send mine individually packed, since I'm too old to be lugging around jumbo packages.. I've been working on my mount today. I think two more panels (80 pounds?) is going to be pushing my luck. I can hardly lift the current setup now. Later this week, it's going to be 160 lbs + hardware and 2x4s... Around 200 pounds. I'll need a jack to adjust the sensational angle.. Got the outriggers on today.. Made the new rear support arms this evening..

03-18-11, 09:28 AM	#54
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	You should start a thread for your project. So, we can all get the details, of where you got those Enphase GTIs at those prices.. What model they are? Etc. Envoy for $200? That's pretty good. Are you going to buy the Envoy server service? Or just use the Envoy network cable connection, in-house? Local monitoring? If you have NStar, you will need to get the "Simplified Process Interconnections Application Instructions", if you haven't done so already. (I think this is what looks like). www.nstaronline.com/docs3/interconnections/simple-app.pdf National Grid? Can't get the file to load...

03-18-11, 10:50 AM	#55
techhi Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: S.Jersey Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	yes I need to take some pics the envoy got on ebay the Micros got at Broosha Solar - Home emailed and called direct the service is $2 a year per inverter or better price for 3 year not to bad would be $16 a year for me but you say there is a aftermarket or other software will look for it. I would love to make a mount facing south because my house faces SE that is my only hurdle at this point leaning towards roof at SE to shady in the back

03-18-11, 12:20 PM	#56
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	You know what they say about pics, they are at least equal to dozens of words.. I had never heard of Broosha Solar before. That looks like an industrial site. It sounds like you got a good deal. I've seen some Enphase that were really cheap, but they were 208v, instead of 220v.. $16 a year might be good when you first start and want to keep a super close eye on panel performance. But, after a while, when things are stable, the data might become somewhat boring. As far as I know, there is no aftermarket data collection/plotting software. But, the Envoy has a built-in basic Webpage, where you can see performance and trouble shoot etc.. People have been trying to use that webpage to mine the data, so they can use it with Excel etc.. Enphase Data Access - Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun If I get into grid-tie, I would likely just use the built-in webpage with an old PC. From what I've read, it seems like enough data for me..

03-20-11, 08:46 PM	#57
Heynow999 Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats my House!, back in post #8. If you have any questions ask away. I built it out of galvanised steel tube and clamps. The common name for them is Kee clamps but I used a knock-off made by Alvin Industrial. ALVIN INDUSTRIAL SALES LTD. AIS klamps, casters, racking, plastic end caps, rotalock, key klamp, winches AIS Ltd. It was not cheap, but I wanted it to look good and last a long time.

03-20-11, 11:29 PM	#58
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Heynow, that is some slick hardware you got there. Seems to be very versatile.. http://www.alvinindustrial.com/photo...oorShelter.jpg http://www.alvinindustrial.com/photoG/images/bench.jpg Like you could build all sorts of structures.. Thanks for the link. Their specs look pretty good. How many panels do you have up there now? And what's their specs? Cheers, Rich

03-24-11, 09:26 PM	#59
Heynow999 Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have 16 x 160 watt Evergreen poly modules on the rack. It was all installed at once, about 2 years ago. I just recently added 3.3kw to my roof using 185 watt monos and Enphase inverters. I have been trying to compare the output of my central inverter system to my Enphase system. If I compare production per/watt it seems that the Enphase system puts out about %25 more. I definately need to do more day to day comparisons of output to get long term numbers of which system is better. You also have to consider the Enphase modules are high quality monos and the Evergreens are "Blemished" and 2 years old

03-24-11, 11:04 PM	#60
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Two years on a panel that should last decades, is just a drop in the bucket. Those panels should still be pumping out 160w for many more years. Those EnPhase GTIs should be helping the numbers from the new 3.3kw array. From what I hear, those thing really milk a panel..