10kW Ground Mounted Solar Panel System

[sd455dan]

The economics of solar varies tremendously from state to state. The big things to look out for are your state's policies on net metering, whether it's allowed and what rate they pay you for power returned to the grid. In some states there are additional incentives like Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC's) and even direct subsidies.

There's also a federal tax credit.

All I can say is it cost more than I thought it would going in. I wanted this for power outage back up and to knock down our monthly bill overall, Would I recommend it as a money saver out of the gate? Heck No, but our power rate is only $.08- $ .10 per KWH. Some of the states where power can cost a lot during certain hours a hybrid with solar and batteries might make a LOT more sense.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

All I can say is it will cost more than a person thinks going in, if DIY. I wanted this for power outage back up and to knock down our monthly bill overall, Would I recommend it as a money saver out of the gate? Heck No, but our power base rate is $.08- $ .10 per KWH.

And where I am we have generous net metering and expensive electricity and solar pays for itself in a few years even if you pay to have it installed.

 

[DarkBlack]

A complete solar installation paying for itself in the northeast, in just a few years, would be amazing

 

[quicksandfarmer]

A complete solar installation paying for itself in the northeast, in just a few years, would be amazing

I paid under $3/Watt for my system, installed. With the 35% federal tax credit it was under $2/Watt. I get the equivalent of about a thousand hours a year of full production, or about 1kWh per year for each installed Watt. Electricity here is $0.29 per kWh. Payback time is about six years.

That's assuming electricity stays at the same price, it's gone up 10% in the past year.

 

[DarkBlack]

I paid under $3/Watt for my system, installed. With the 35% federal tax credit it was under $2/Watt. I get the equivalent of about a thousand hours a year of full production, or about 1kWh per year for each installed Watt. Electricity here is $0.29 per kWh. Payback time is about six years.

That's assuming electricity stays at the same price, it's gone up 10% in the past year.

Ok, 6 years. I read “a few”, which I took as 3, which would be amazing

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I paid under $3/Watt for my system, installed. With the 35% federal tax credit it was under $2/Watt. I get the equivalent of about a thousand hours a year of full production, or about 1kWh per year for each installed Watt. Electricity here is $0.29 per kWh. Payback time is about six years.

That's assuming electricity stays at the same price, it's gone up 10% in the past year.

I was inspired by this to go look at my actual production. I have a 10 kW system, trailing twelve months production is 12,000 kWh. So actually about 1200 hours equivalent a year. That's worth $3480 at current rates. I get 100% net metering at full retail rates so I get the full value.

And this is tax free income. If I were paying the electric bill I'd be paying with after-tax dollars.

 

[ericm979]

Google has a tool to calculate the payback of a solar system. I ran their model for our place in Oregon and it said that solar would cost us $8k over 20 years- there's never a payback. Then I noticed the small print that they assumed rates would go up 2.2% per year. Well in 2023 it went up 21%, in 2024 11%, and they're asking for 26% for 2025. If the state PUC keeps approving those increases, a solar system would end up costing less.

 

[Pettrix]

Price wise, I am able to get 23 bifacial solar panels (750w) and the mounting brackets for $2k delivered from my Chinese contact. Panels have a 25 year warranty and are rated\tested

So bifacial panels will break more easily in hail than standard panels?

 

[sd455dan]

Price wise, I am able to get 23 bifacial solar panels (750w) and the mounting brackets for $2k delivered from my Chinese contact. Panels have a 25 year warranty and are rated\tested

So bifacial panels will break more easily in hail than standard panels?

Edit: Yes, some mixed test results but correcting my post in general front and rear sided glass panels break more often as a Group:

HSS Test | Kiwa PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard

Kiwa PVEL’s Hail Stress Sequence (HSS) replicates the impact energy of natural hail and simulates field conditions to assess PV module durability. Learn about the test.

scorecard.pvel.com

ps. One heck of a short time deal on Schneider XW 6848 Pro LF Inverters, basically less than 1/2 price.

Old reliable non HF inverter tech. If I had not already bought the EG 4 18K PV, I would buy 2 or 4 of these beasts.

Killer price for the surge inductive load capabilities.

$1473 with code, these retailed at about $3200,

Conext XW Pro 6.8kW 120/240 Volt Inverter 48V Charger

Note: Please look at our 865-6848-21 Schneider kits, you will find a 10-20% discounted system with these kits. NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-001 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-002 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-003 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-004 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-005 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-006 NAZ-Schneider-XW-Pro-007...

www.solar-electric.com

 

[sd455dan]

Price wise, I am able to get 23 bifacial solar panels (750w) and the mounting brackets for $2k delivered from my Chinese contact. Panels have a 25 year warranty and are rated\tested

So bifacial panels will break more easily in hail than standard panels?

750 watt? those must be Huge panels. The 450's I have are 7' long how big is a 750 watt panel? Hope you are strong mounting these 68lb. units was enough work for me.

I would hurry or hold off not sure which?. Another announcement today about new Tariffs but for Asian non China homeland imports.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-decide-another-round-solar-panel-tariffs-2024-11-29/