Grid-tied solar

[dave1949]

Some news on PV efficiency improvements for industrial concentrating collectors achieved by stacking multiple cells. The "number of suns" is the number of reflectors concentrating the sun on the individual collector cells.

44.7% at 297 suns:
World record solar cell with 44.7% efficiency

New connection between stacked solar cells can handle energy of 70,000 suns

 

[dave1949]

The September, 2013 results.

Down 5 kWh from Sept. a year ago, but 82 kWh AC above the model.

That doesn't surprise me as we have had an unbelievable stretch of clear weather this month. I took the reading at noon, so we likely exceeded last year by a bit. Our daily production now is ~25 kWh on these clear days.

Month--NREL Model (AC kWh)-----2012 Actual-----2013 Actual

Jan.----388----------------------NA--------------440
Feb.----412----------------------NA--------------375
Mar.----509----------------------NA--------------462
Apr.----374----------------------NA--------------487
May----353----------------------NA--------------375
Jun.----308----------------------NA--------------379
Jul.-----341----------------------NA--------------377
Aug.----383----------------------461-------------470
Sep.----394----------------------481-------------476
Oct.----369----------------------378
Nov.----283----------------------400
Dec.----331----------------------297

 

[Redneck in training]

My system just hit over 30 MWh since beginning and 29.1 MWh for the year. It is just about on track to hit predicted power generation for the year.
Here is a link to an article from The Economist about impact of renewables on the utilities and mainly on energy price.
European utilities: How to lose half a trillion euros | The Economist

 

[dave1949]

The October, 2013 results.
I took the reading this morning since it is going to be low output day that won't add much to the total.

Well above last October and the model. That goes along with the dry month we've had, very few cloudy, rainy spells.

Month--NREL Model (AC kWh)-----2012 Actual-----2013 Actual

Jan.----388----------------------NA--------------440
Feb.----412----------------------NA--------------375
Mar.----509----------------------NA--------------462
Apr.----374----------------------NA--------------487
May----353----------------------NA--------------375
Jun.----308----------------------NA--------------379
Jul.-----341----------------------NA--------------377
Aug.----383----------------------461-------------470
Sep.----394----------------------481-------------476
Oct.----369----------------------378-------------453
Nov.----283----------------------400
Dec.----331----------------------297

 

[dave1949]

Some news on the net-metering front:
NewsDaily: In Arizona, a closely watched vote to decide solar policy's fate

With no pricing or policy details, it's hard to know much from this article. The regulations vary so widely from state to state.

In Maine, we pay a fixed monthly service connection charge of $9.36, like all residential customers, to the distribution utility (the company that maintains the physical grid) regardless of whether we consume more or less than our system produces. We never get paid for any extra production either. We do get a credit against future usage within the following twelve months only.

 

[dave1949]

This is the follow-up to the Arizona net-metering policy in post #455.

Arizona Approves Grid-Connection Fees for Solar Rooftops - Bloomberg

They approved a $0.70 surcharge per installed solar KW. I'm sure that will become a goal to duplicate among utilities everywhere. Oh look, free money. :thumbdown:

 

[Redneck in training]

I would take 0.70/kW/moth. I would pay even more money fixed charge (We pay $32/month) if I could get net metering or at least credit for my own consumption.

 

[dave1949]

The November, 2013 results.

Close to last November and above the model. Lots of sunny days in November. I think December is going to make up for it. Not much clear weather in sight according to the forecast.

Month--NREL Model (AC kWh)-----2012 Actual-----2013 Actual

Jan.----388----------------------NA--------------440
Feb.----412----------------------NA--------------375
Mar.----509----------------------NA--------------462
Apr.----374----------------------NA--------------487
May----353----------------------NA--------------375
Jun.----308----------------------NA--------------379
Jul.-----341----------------------NA--------------377
Aug.----383----------------------461-------------470
Sep.----394----------------------481-------------476
Oct.----369----------------------378-------------453
Nov.----283----------------------400-------------414
Dec.----331----------------------297

 

[dave1949]

The polluters never give up:
ALEC calls for penalties on 'freerider' homeowners in assault on clean energy | World news | theguardian.com

ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), the folks the Tea Party is really working for, is pushing for fees and surcharges for home solar systems.

If successful, I really think this could backfire with some unintended results for the polluters. If people have to pay to give away power, they are going to look for ways to use it. Electric vehicles are ready and waiting as a viable solution for many, and they won't be stopping at the polluters gas pumps or buying the polluters electricity.

 

[farmer2009]

Dave,

Just found this thread and haven't had a chance to read it all the way through. But I was wondering how much this had acuaully reduced your utility bills. How much of your usage did you intend on replacing. Seems like you are running as expected maybe a little better.