New to Grid Tied Home Solar...

[coldsteelva]

I would love to do solar, but I live in VA. Not exactly homeowner solar friendly thanks to the vast number of lobbying dollars Dominion Energy spends. In VA, you can only spec a solar system that will offset no more than 100% of your usage for the previous 12 months (no sell back for you, but the power company gets to sell your excess). I use between 13,000 and 15,000 kWh per year and pay $.10 to $.11/kWh so roughly $1700/year for electricity. We have hot summers and high humidities so we use the AC pretty frequently, but we have LP heat in the winter months. We're also in an electric co-op (NOVEC) so we aren't dealing with shareholders or profiteers. My ROI would exceed 10 years if I paid cash for the system and slightly longer if financed.

I have a wide open plot, no shade trees near the house (which increases our AC needs), but I could actually farm solar and earn quite a bit back if we were allowed to sell back via net-metering. Maybe someday, but it isn't in the cards for now.

 

[ultrarunner]

There are size limits but you have wiggle room... like after the calcs going to more efficient LED, HVAC or intention to buy a Tesla or two...

I'm sure I could use up my excess with more people here or I started using the dryer instead of clothes line... etc.

3100 square feet with central A/C... about 360 kWh per month

 

[ultrarunner]

Flattened the panel tilt today to better align with summer sun and noticed an immediate kW increase...

The arrays are held in place with strut that is adjustable from nearly flat to perpendicular.

Need something like an adjustable top link for tractor 3-point to make it easily infinitely adjustable.

 

[MossRoad]

Some linear actuators, a computer, some sensors.... hmmmm...... sounds like a fun project to make it auto adjust by the season.

 

[ultrarunner]

I thought a tracker would be the way to go... after talking with someone that retired from the business he said adding a few extra panels is a simpler and least costly way to go.

 

[MossRoad]

I thought a tracker would be the way to go... after talking with someone that retired from the business he said adding a few extra panels is a simpler and least costly way to go.

No fun in simplicity... :laughing:

 

[Industrial Toys]

Doesn't sun tracking involve more than one axis?

 

[ultrarunner]

One Axis and Two Axis available...

 

[cdaigle430]

I soooo love my on grid 7kw even here in Maine. So much that we are even adjusting our useage around day sun generation. I even traded my charcoal smoker in for an electric smoker for convenience and free fuel. I also traded all my gas powered tools to battery for free fuel. All my lights will also be all LED soon. I just have two T8 flouescents I need to conver over as soon as I find a viable option.

I took advantage of the last year IRS was giving 30% tax return on mine, this year it is 26% and every year after will be reduced more until its gone. Dont go into lease is all I can say. Leasing is the biggest rip off since snake oil.

Today is cloudy and I am still generating 500 watts or more-my house is using 460 watts which means I am feeding 40 watts to the grid-on a complete overcast Not much but at least I am still using free electricity.

I am not bragging just pleasantly suprised for Maine solar generation. I had alot of negative comments from friends and family-said I was wasting my time and money with solar in Maine. I did do some research and found that 4.6 hours solar per day potential was worth the risk and money.

I also was not looking for an immediate return, just looking towards retiring and lowering home maintenance costs as much as possible. Solar is pretty much maintenance free and my warranty is 25 years.

I did get 30% back from IRS and used it towards more home improvement. My electric bill is 12.56 a month now because I have to pay for the meter and delivery charges no matter what. in summer I was paying 160 a month before the Solar

I also like the statistics I am keeping now thanks to the inverter and mobile app...so far this year I am getting 20% more sun than last year

 

[EddieWalker]

How long do solar panels last? Do they wear out or deteriorate over time?

Don't they use batteries to store the energy, which need to be replaced eventually?

I like the idea of solar, but I worry that it's something that as soon as I finish paying for it, I will have to replace it.