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 10-16-16, 03:26 PM   #41
Roostre
EcoLearner
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Rocky Mtns
Posts: 113
Thanks: 107
Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehull View Post
Roostre,



Note the July data where you get almost 8 total hours per day. In summer, you "store away" kWhrs for winter use and then it all gets wiped out in March where you pay some - or loose those banked kWhrs. The key is not to overproduce in the summer so you don't loose too much every March.
I have been reading through the net metering law here in Utah; while we "lose" these credits it was refreshing to see that they actually get donated to elderly and needy through a power assistance program.

Here is the shingle style:


Last edited by Roostre; 10-16-16 at 03:27 PM.. Reason: add pic
Roostre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-16, 04:08 PM   #42
Roostre
EcoLearner
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Rocky Mtns
Posts: 113
Thanks: 107
Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts
Default Bill of materials



Here is what I am getting as a BOM when using the Renvu site.

The price I am getting quoted closer to 1.43/watt.
Roostre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-16, 04:38 PM   #43
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

Roostre,

I am assuming this is a 10 panel x 4 row system?

Buy your own ground wire locally. Call Renvu, speak to a sales rep and ask for a first time discount. I am not sure why you need 42 drops as you need three strings of inverters (13, 13 and 14). The maximum number of inverters per string is 17. They regularly give me the drops for ~ $10 instead of $17.

You don't need the Envoy S, but rather the Envoy M (cheaper).

I think you can also use the XR10 rails instead of the XR 100.

Buy the circuit breaker at Lowes or Home Depot and make up your own rooftop electric line combiner box - Carlon box from Home Depot ($12).

Does this help?


Steve
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990

Last edited by stevehull; 10-16-16 at 05:15 PM..
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to stevehull For This Useful Post:
roflwaffle (10-16-16), Roostre (10-16-16)
Old 10-16-16, 11:55 PM   #44
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

Maybe you have already seen this but just in case you have not. It was very helpful when I did my design. I really helped to make sure I did not mass any parts.
Unirac - Project Info [ SOLARMOUNT ]
__________________
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:
stevehull (10-17-16)
Old 10-17-16, 12:01 AM   #45
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roostre View Post
I have been reading through the net metering law here in Utah; while we "lose" these credits it was refreshing to see that they actually get donated to elderly and needy through a power assistance program.
This is great I would not mind being a little over sized. Maybe later you will put in a mini split so you can heat with solar anyway.
__________________
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 2 Users Say Thank You to pinballlooking For This Useful Post:
Roostre (10-17-16), stevehull (10-17-16)
Old 10-17-16, 11:20 AM   #46
Roostre
EcoLearner
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Rocky Mtns
Posts: 113
Thanks: 107
Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Ok, I think that an 11 x 3 grid would work and look the best for this roof. Using this I get 8.75kW system and the cost is much lower, which gives me some room to pay for engineering plans, my electrician and possibly some labor help. Also, the power company states that no disconnect is needed on systems under 10kWh.

I'm filling out the Intertie agreement and it seems to be full of reasons you should not go solar. Obviously the power company is not happy about it.

One question in particular has me stumped;
It asks for "Net metering facility available fault duty at the point of common coupling:________"

Is it asking how much capacity is left (open breaker spaces/available amps out of the 200 total) or the size of the service (200 amps)??

MY master electrician will probably know, but he's on a night shift rotation, so I don't want to wake him.

Anybody?
Roostre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-16, 12:08 PM   #47
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

I think the “Is it asking how much capacity is left” would be talking about the 120% rule.
https://www.civicsolar.com/support/i...it-important-0

I had to put in a 225 amp main load box and use my old 200 amp main breaker in it. This allowed me to back feed more amps. 200A x 1.2 -200A = 70A so I can back feed 70Amps.

Remember the back feed breaker can only run 80% load.
My back feed breaker is 70 amp so I can take 56 amp solar. I am actually sending 50.4 amps to it right now.
__________________
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.

Last edited by pinballlooking; 10-18-16 at 01:06 PM..
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to pinballlooking For This Useful Post:
Roostre (10-17-16)
Old 10-17-16, 01:56 PM   #48
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

Roostre,

"Ok, I think that an 11 x 3 grid would work and look the best for this roof. Using this I get 8.75kW system and the cost is much lower, which gives me some room to pay for engineering plans, my electrician and possibly some labor help. Also, the power company states that no disconnect is needed on systems under 10kWh."

Does your utility require an engineering plan by a licensed PE engineer? Usually, this is just a plan of the system. I do like to put in a disconnect for safety reasons. These are not expensive (<$100).

Also look at panel installation in the landscape orientation. Sometimes this just "fits" better on the roof.


Steve
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to stevehull For This Useful Post:
Roostre (10-17-16)
Old 10-17-16, 02:25 PM   #49
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

I did not have to get a plan by a licensed PE engineer. I just needed to draw up a one wire diagram of the system and detail out what equipment that was used.
__________________
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:
Roostre (10-17-16)
Old 10-17-16, 02:27 PM   #50
Roostre
EcoLearner
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Rocky Mtns
Posts: 113
Thanks: 107
Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Thanks Steve.

It looks like the fire department requires 3 feet of set back on all sides of the panel array. This limits my south facing roof on the house to 22 panels, but I can add 3 on the east facing garage dormer and possibly 12 on my shop.

This new information has changed things quite a bit. Now I will need to trench from the shop to the house and run conduit; or possibly go to higher watt/more $$$ panels. ???

I'm going to get a pro to evaluate my panel. If it needs updated I will be better off doing it now.

Roostre 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 05:39 PM.


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