New to Grid Tied Home Solar...

[deezler]

As a side note... my 10 year old panels stop producing when it gets gray and cloudy... neighbors new 300 W panels were still producing about 500 W long after mine stopped... with both have 6kW systems.

It could also be your inverter, deciding not to bother with minimal power outputs.

 

[jaydee325]

I'm curious about resale values of existing houses with solar already installed, such as the case with the OP. Does it enhance, detract, or it is neutral?

I'd really be interested in hearing from anyone who has purchased a house with solar installed, how was it factored into the home appraisal?

 

[bunyip]

Depending upon the age Iwould certainly consider it an asset if I was buying, one we looked at recently had a 10kw system which would certainly help as it had an inground pool that needs to run for about 10 hours a day in summer with a 1hp motor.
Having said that solar is subsidised here and a 6kw system would cost us about AU$4k or a bit less.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sorry for the delay in responding...

Solar does add desirability here... it is just the way it is... especially desirable is having a home EV electric charging station as part of the Solar set up...

I believe my neighbors 300W panels are LG and they might be 330W... I forget and they are away at the moment.

In addition to my 2008 panels from a defunct manufacturer I also have a Sunny Boy circa 2008 invertor.

A solar installer I met said Invertors have about a 10 year life from that era... mine is outside and only sheltered by the array of overhead panels...

The arrays are adjustable for tilt angle... there are pins with preset holes to increase or decrease the angle... I have not touched them so they remained unchanged.

Regardless of the opinions... it has been very satisfying always being on the plus side for generation... as mentioned previous... the utility has been out twice to change out the electric meter this year...

The home is 3200 square feet with triple pane windows and 2x6 insulated walls and 2x10 cathedral ceilings packed with insulation... so all good there... the ground level including the shop has radiant heat that I have never used... the owner used it once but never needed it... the good sized shop is built into a downslope so I must be getting a lot of temp stability from that.

Upstairs not as stable... I think in part to the high to very high ceilings... lots of cubic feet of space to condition.

Did run the circa 1994 Carrier A/C and it worked well during the 100+ week of hot weather... I was using 35 to 40 kWh per day with the A/C running... way more than I produced but over all I will end the year plus about $650 after keeping the lights and refrigerators going and a hot spell of A/C...

One of the foreclose homes on the street has extensive solar... it was a leased system... the new owners were unable at first to come to terms with the provider and said they were not signing anything and if this is a problem... take them off and put on a new roof after!

The long and short is they were able to negotiate a good rate for power and have since converted the stove and water heater to electric and they too have an all electric car...m and added a nice inground pool.

I don't really see a downside to having solar if the initial cost can be overcome...

 

[ultrarunner]

Next week it will be one year and annual TRUE UP as once a year the account is zeroed out.

Anticipating about $600 excess production over what I used at retail rate...

The compensation rate is paid at the wholesale rate, which is a small fraction or retail... maybe 10% of total cost per KWH charges when transmission, distribution, various taxes... etc. Others have said about 3 cents per kW compared to the 30 cents charged when all said and done.

Utility has changed out the meter twice in 12 months... saying it might not be working properly... but it is just my frugal ways!!!

My 12 year old panels may not be the best at efficiency and the location lacking but they still produce!

 

[ultrarunner]

4000 kW positive/excess for the previous 12 month period per my annual true up statement.

Thinking about converting one of the natural gas appliances to electric... perhaps the water heater or maybe adding a small electric cooktop to compliment the gas range or maybe swapping out the gas clothes dryer?

Water heater/appliances and Carrier HVAC all date from 1993 year of construction.

Noticed my production actually drops in summer and my first guess is the angle of the panels in relation to the sun... might experiment with tilting the arrays?

 

[deezler]

4000 kW positive/excess for the previous 12 month period per my annual true up statement.

Thinking about converting one of the natural gas appliances to electric... perhaps the water heater or maybe adding a small electric cooktop to compliment the gas range or maybe swapping out the gas clothes dryer?

Water heater/appliances and Carrier HVAC all date from 1993 year of construction.

Noticed my production actually drops in summer and my first guess is the angle of the panels in relation to the sun... might experiment with tilting the arrays?

Hot ambient temperatures also reduce PV output. Cool air boosts power production. But yes, definitely adjust your tilt at least twice a year, man!

With all that huge surplus generation, you should absolutely stop using natural gas, IMO. At least, if you have an appliance failure, replace with electric. We built our house 800 feet from the road (and the gas line) so elected to go all electric. The 50-gal heat-pump water heater and our induction cooktop work perfectly. I do cringe a bit at the usage of my electric clothes dryer, though (can be as much as half of my homes consumption). Someone needs to make a heat pump version of a clothes dryer also!

 

[MossRoad]

If it weren't for air conditioning and a swimming pool, our electric needs are always greater in winter than summer due to shorter days, longer nights, more need for nighttime lighting, and the furnace fan running more in winter. Summer electric needs for essentials are much less in the northern hemisphere.

 

[ultrarunner]

The consensus in comparing notes with others with solar is it is time to buy a plug in electric... don't think it is in my future but the employee parking lot keeps having more and more as time continues.

Only about 10 hot days annually and it was nice to have the A/C as I have never lived in a home with A/C... didn't even feel guilty as solar was an offset.

 

[bunyip]

Someone needs to make a heat pump version of a clothes dryer also!

They do, we have had a Bosch drier for over 3 years, also made by LG and Samsung and I am sure there are others, no venting to outside as they just produce water which can be emptied or directed to a drain, steam free drying.
Our next set of hotplates will be induction too, much prefer them to gas.
Almost instant heat and precise control.