We're considering installing a solar power system for our home. Our current consumption is about 800KWH per month which puts us in the upper tiers for $.33 per KWH. Is something like 15-20 KWH per day a reasonable expectation for a home solar system? I'm trying to get some technical information so I can better deal with all the sales folks that say they can save me money.
solar power
- Thread starter gorilla
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Theres several threads on here that go into detail about solar.
The one thing i gather is make sure to do extensive homework. U dont wanna get screwed by a fast talking quick pitching two faced salesman!
The one thing i gather is make sure to do extensive homework. U dont wanna get screwed by a fast talking quick pitching two faced salesman!
jkwilson
Well-known member
What you can expect from a system depends more on where you live than anything else. Since we don't know that, it would be hard to guess.
DonPowers
Well-known member
Here is some info on Sun Hours Per Day by State. This is a good place to start so you can figure out about how many panels you might need.
http://www.usasolarstore.com/images/solarhowto/Avail.pdf
Also, there are lots of things to consider like are you looking for a grid tie system or something that has a battery backup for loss of power or off grid system.
I live in northern Maine. My local utility does not purchase surplus power. If you are going grid tie, they require a $50.00 up front fee to inspect your system to determine if any upgrades are required to your feed and upstream transformer. Then you have an annual contract that runs from the beginning of March to the end of February. During this period any surplus will be credited to your account up to the end of Feb, then you lose it and the clock starts over in March. I don't see this to be a big problem as you can burn down the surplus with electric heat.
My current cost is $.16 per KWH so the payback would be twice what yours would be. Consequently, I have been waiting for efficiency to go up or prices to come down.
I like the grid tie systems that use micro inverters which can be daisy chained and let you plug into your existing panel using 20 amp breakers.
http://www.usasolarstore.com/images/solarhowto/Avail.pdf
Also, there are lots of things to consider like are you looking for a grid tie system or something that has a battery backup for loss of power or off grid system.
I live in northern Maine. My local utility does not purchase surplus power. If you are going grid tie, they require a $50.00 up front fee to inspect your system to determine if any upgrades are required to your feed and upstream transformer. Then you have an annual contract that runs from the beginning of March to the end of February. During this period any surplus will be credited to your account up to the end of Feb, then you lose it and the clock starts over in March. I don't see this to be a big problem as you can burn down the surplus with electric heat.
My current cost is $.16 per KWH so the payback would be twice what yours would be. Consequently, I have been waiting for efficiency to go up or prices to come down.
I like the grid tie systems that use micro inverters which can be daisy chained and let you plug into your existing panel using 20 amp breakers.
I live in ny on long island. I did solar last june. The electric company changed my meter to a new digital meter, i sell unused electric back to them. I have 29 275watt panels. On a good day frm march to about oct i can produce from 40-46kw. On a cloudy day i produce minimum but since i over produce i have kw in a bank. My meter started out at 0000. As of two days ago my meter read 99120. I use roughly 10-15kw a day. I own my system. After Govt rebates and utility ebates im financing about $14k.
I went from paying $220 a month on the budget to paying my loan at $120 a month for 12 yrs. I will most likely pay it off next year. I still have to pay PSEG $10 a month to be connected to the grid.
I didnt do battery backup because i have a generator hooked up to natural gas. Hope this helps
I went from paying $220 a month on the budget to paying my loan at $120 a month for 12 yrs. I will most likely pay it off next year. I still have to pay PSEG $10 a month to be connected to the grid.
I didnt do battery backup because i have a generator hooked up to natural gas. Hope this helps
Not sure if your state have any state incentives / rebates/ tax credits etc for you. But in NY there is the NYSERDA that promotes solar somewhat... you still end up paying about $20K out of pocket, for a 4K watt system and about $10K real $$$ after multi year tax credits. Not sure if they "the gov" will **** you back on the property tax increase after the incentive period because you increase your property value by having solar installed.
Now they have a calculator for it. and you have to consider the sun index when making the estimates in your calculation.
http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/201.htm
http://ny-sun.ny.gov/Get-Solar/Clean-Power-Estimator
but outch 800KWH per month..... you having some indoor botanical ?
Now they have a calculator for it. and you have to consider the sun index when making the estimates in your calculation.
http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/201.htm
http://ny-sun.ny.gov/Get-Solar/Clean-Power-Estimator
but outch 800KWH per month..... you having some indoor botanical ?
rockwithjason
Well-known member
one of the big issues with this is that solar is the new cut and run scam for many bad contractors. There are plenty of good contractors out there but you need to know who you are dealing with locally. for example, there are members on this board who are very happy with solar city installs but here locally in vegas i wouldn't let them near my house because they are total hacks. ask for references and go talk to those people and look at the install and see if it's what you want.
I thought Micro inverters would be the way to go, one panel gets shaded and the rest keep producing no issues. But it seems Micros haven't been very reliable.
I had a system quoted in January, I built my shop with Solar in mind, nice roof, right orientation. 32, 300 watt Lg panels so 9600 watts. 28,000 bucks, ROI of 8.3% projected, 12 years to get back investment. With tax break its around 21,000 bucks. IF they could get it down to 8 years I'd probably do it. Still 3 dollars a watt is down quite a bit.
If you want to do a system, Revision energy is pretty good. I got NABCEP certified last winter with one of their guys, he is an excellent electrician.
hh76
Well-known member
http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/pvwatts/version1/
This is what I've always used, and after 12yrs in the solar biz, it seems to have been very accurate.
One thing to keep in mind is that your utility rate structure will dictate how you size your system, not just consumption.
This is what I've always used, and after 12yrs in the solar biz, it seems to have been very accurate.
One thing to keep in mind is that your utility rate structure will dictate how you size your system, not just consumption.