Grid-tied solar

[ultrarunner]

Interesting application with the power diverter... I was thinking along these lines of the possibility of maybe a dual fuel water heater or adding a heat coil to the gas heater.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The bolded is our goal. How we get there is a work in progress. We're still pushing ahead with the solar for the house. We are researching whether we should replace the air handler and coils, replace the entire system, or go to mini split. Waiting on bids from the HVAC contractors.

Sounds to me that you folks have acclimated or climatized yourselves to a great extent. I you had solar and mini splits, would you run it to get some humidity out of the air?

 

[sseelhoff]

Sounds to me that you folks have acclimated or climatized yourselves to a great extent. I you had solar and mini splits, would you run it to get some humidity out of the air?

Likely be used more for dehumidification than cooling. We never turn the A/C below 83. Mostly at 85. At night we shut it down and open the windows. A 75 degree morning feels cool to me.

We are going ahead with the solar project. The contractor has started the paperwork with the utility. 9100 kwh system. They are estimating 92% of our electrical needs will be served by the system, using the .77 factor they are required to use. If the system outperforms the required factor, the 92% will increase. He expects that to happen, but cannot sell it that way. Also got the quotes back on the AC repair. $1400 for a new Carrier coil. $1726 for a new air handler with coil. Kind of a no brainer. I would like to get the mini-split, but not sure we can get competitive quotes. We were expecting $3000-$4000 grand to repair the system. Our condensor is fine (for now).

 

[dave1949]

The July, 2014 results.

Above the model this month and reasonably consistent with July 2013.

Month--NREL Model (AC kWh)-----2012 Actual-----2013 Actual-----2104 Actual

Jan.----388----------------------NA--------------440-------------360
Feb.----412----------------------NA--------------375-------------446
Mar.----509----------------------NA--------------462-------------577
Apr.----374----------------------NA--------------487-------------525
May----353----------------------NA--------------375-------------361
Jun.----308----------------------NA--------------379-------------390
Jul.-----341----------------------NA--------------377-------------395
Aug.----383----------------------461-------------470
Sep.----394----------------------481-------------476
Oct.----369----------------------378-------------453
Nov.----283----------------------400-------------414
Dec.----331----------------------297-------------278

For anyone curious about adding AC mini-splits in a similar climate, 1600 sq ft well insulated house, below is how our electric usage is changing since adding AC. Our large amount of south-facing glass for passive solar adds more of a heat load in late summer than would be typical of a house this size. All else being roughly equal, a larger house with fewer south windows would probably see similar results.

This July our usage is 590 kWh compared to 415 kWh July '12, and 441 kWh July '13. That is a 162 kWh average increase that is attributable to running the min-split units give or take. We have used them about every day this month. They are usually turned off overnight.

 

[dave1949]

For anyone looking at jobs in the Maine-New Hampshire area this is a great outfit and a growing solar company:

Jobs in Solar New Hampshire - Maine Renewable Energy Career Opportunities

Installers, sales, investor relations, licensed electrician, marketing.

They installed my system and I was very impressed from start to finish. No affiliation.

 

[dave1949]

Solar cells from recycled lead batteries.

Recycling old car batteries into solar cells: Environmental twofer could recycle lead batteries to make solar cells -- ScienceDaily

 

[Redneck in training]

My system just hit 60 MWh produced over past 20 months.

 

[dave1949]

The August, 2014 results.

Above the model but below August in the last two years.

Month--NREL Model (AC kWh)--2012 Actual---2013 Actual---2104 Actual

Jan.----388----------------------NA--------------440-------------360
Feb.----412----------------------NA--------------375-------------446
Mar.----509----------------------NA--------------462-------------577
Apr.----374----------------------NA--------------487-------------525
May----353----------------------NA--------------375-------------361
Jun.----308----------------------NA--------------379-------------390
Jul.-----341----------------------NA--------------377-------------395
Aug.----383----------------------461-------------470------------453
Sep.----394----------------------481-------------476
Oct.----369----------------------378-------------453
Nov.----283----------------------400-------------414
Dec.----331----------------------297-------------278

 

[Carl_NH]

Third quote received today. About $12K net for a 9100 KWh system. German panels, U.S. inverter. Roof mounted.

Hi Scott,

You have an amazing deal $12K net for 9.1KW which is $1.31 a watt installed after local and federal rebates.

Can you outline the panels and system they are installing and rebates to attain this very low number?

For reference, (and thanks to Dave) we are installing a 10KW system from Revision Energy here in NH. At the end of the day it is $2/Watt after all rebates and incentives - $32K total less $13K Incentives.

This is a roof mounted 36-270 W LG Mono panels, 36 Solar Edge Power Optimizers, and Solar Edge 10KW Inverter.

Estimated installed cost after rebate is @ $2.00KWH / $.165 KWH so ROI is 12 Years at present rates.

I appreciate DIY installation can achieve $1 a watt installed after rebates, but can you provide a breakdown on how you achieved $1.31 a watt installed?


Thanks

Carl

 

[sseelhoff]

Hi Scott,

You have an amazing deal $12K net for 9.1KW which is $1.31 a watt installed after local and federal rebates.

Can you outline the panels and system they are installing and rebates to attain this very low number?

For reference, (and thanks to Dave) we are installing a 10KW system from Revision Energy here in NH. At the end of the day it is $2/Watt after all rebates and incentives - $32K total less $13K Incentives.

This is a roof mounted 36-270 W LG Mono panels, 36 Solar Edge Power Optimizers, and Solar Edge 10KW Inverter.

Estimated installed cost after rebate is @ $2.00KWH / $.165 KWH so ROI is 12 Years at present rates.

I appreciate DIY installation can achieve $1 a watt installed after rebates, but can you provide a breakdown on how you achieved $1.31 a watt installed?


Thanks

Carl

This is not the best quote. Here are the numbers from the best quote:

Gross Price: $18,246
Contractor Incentive: ($7,200)
Total Contract: $11,046

Federal credit (30%) ($3,314)

Total out of pocket: $7,732

Panels: Axitec, model AC250p.156-60S
Inverter: Samil Power Co., Ltd. Model: SolarRiver 6000TL-US