School Me On *Load Factor*

[Teken]

I wanted to ask what should be a simple Q/A topic. But, wanted to make sure my understanding is complete and accurate.

As I am seeing something different than what the vendor states it as. Please forgive the vague description(s) as I try to relay what I see and observe.

This is what Google defines Load Factor as:

1. Ratio of average energy demand (load) to the maximum demand (peak load)
during a period.

2. Ratio of demonstrated capacity of a machine, work center, or system to the time it is available for service or to the extent it is utilized.

Now, to the point of the Q. I am tracking a small test solar array in my back yard. The ultimate goal is to have both a grid tied and off grid solar array to ensure power is available at all times even if the POCO should sustain a long term fault.

Now, one of the small systems has the following stats in the picture below.

So this one system is showing a load factor of 14%? What does that exactly mean to the average guy? Now keep in mind this system is generating power and back feeding it into the electrical grid. It is not a load like a light bulb, motor, fridge.

Now here is the load factor for the fridge:

Insight if you will . . .

Teken . . .

 

[theoldwizard1]

The ultimate goal is to have both a grid tied and off grid solar array to ensure power is available at all times even if the POCO should sustain a long term fault.

Why two systems ? Get one system that does both. Outback Power.

Most states now require that the POCO buy any surplus you generate. In MI, the POCO must buy you power that the same retail price they sell it to you for. This does require some fancy equipment for monitoring.

 

[Teken]

Why two systems ? Get one system that does both. Outback Power.

Most states now require that the POCO buy any surplus you generate. In MI, the POCO must buy you power that the same retail price they sell it to you for. This does require some fancy equipment for monitoring.

Can't use a dual source system as my primary system will be using micro inverters. This is to ensure redundancy and prevent shading affecting the whole system.

The micro inverter will be the grid tied system.

The off grid system is being deployed to ensure back up power is available at all times if the grid goes down. I have had my eggs in one basket before and would rather not have such a huge investment impacted just by one device.

Teken . . .