Solar Install

[wayner]

@barnnns1 - So were the panels removed and then you had new ones put on? Couldn't you cut a deal with them to buy the system for a reduced price?

 

[barnnns1]

They were removed. They never offered a buyout but I wouldn't have done it anyways. System was 8 years old and I install solar and do ac so it was better for me to get the new system. I did have almost free power for a little over a year and allowed me to get an idea of how much more power I needed

 

[barnnns1]

just to address the original post. If it were me I would probly be looking at the heat pump over the propane. The heat pumps have gotten pretty efficient and propane around central cali is pretty expensive. The fact that you have micro inverters means you can easily ad more panels if you don't have enough to offset the extra heat pump cost.(provided there is room in the panel amp wise) If you go propane you cant do anything about the rise in gas prices. JMO

 

[daddymack]

i would be inclined to use the extra energy you are producing since you don't have net metering set up yet. Meaning run your AC to cool your house way down from 10ish-5pm.

As as far as your production, PVwatts will help you ballpark how your system is performing. I am a couple of degrees of latitude north of you, but not as hot and see around 30kWh per day or 1.66 per panel. We have similar panels except I have the smaller 250w inverters (which I very rarely max out with my 2 year old 280w and newer 285w panels.)

I take it with the PV Watts, I would just work backwards and figure out the perfromance, since I have the actual numbers... cool app.

- - - Updated - - -

just to address the original post. If it were me I would probly be looking at the heat pump over the propane. The heat pumps have gotten pretty efficient and propane around central cali is pretty expensive. The fact that you have micro inverters means you can easily ad more panels if you don't have enough to offset the extra heat pump cost.(provided there is room in the panel amp wise) If you go propane you cant do anything about the rise in gas prices. JMO

I have room on the main roof for at least 6-8 more panels... then I can put some on facing west too, over my garage... lots of space for more...

 

[daddymack]

How much are you guys able to produce per year? Here in Canada I am just completing my first year - I should be able to produce about 13MWh in a year which is a bit more than was forecast for my rated 10kW panels. But the monthly variability is very high ranging from 270kWh in Dec to 1889kWh in June.

I think it varies by state. In mine they don't want you producing more than you use, especially now that they have to pay you for the power (albeit a less expensive rate than what you pay them). But the city doesn't really care, and looks that you electrically are safe. Most people add more after all the inspections and net metering is in.

 

[daddymack]

Net meter is in! I thought it was the net meter that was the delay, but I guess its something else and a new panel ( I guess my panel is from 1964, and they want it newer...lol).

 

[daddymack]

So, not that I have been running my system for a couple weeks... I probably average 40 KWH a day produced.. with my highest day so far being yesterday at 42.8KWH, the highest peak power has been 6.05 KW and the highest 15 min of 1513Wh ..

Not sure how that measures up, is what I should be expecting? Should it be producing more or less?

 

[wayner]

My production recently has averaged a bit over 50 kWh/day but it is starting to decline as summer is ending. What is the rated capacity of your system? I have a 10kW system with 40 panels that are 250W each.

You can check out other folks' production here PVOutput although that is somewhat Aus focussed. My system is here SolarScarb 10.000kW

You may also be able to put your system on this site

 

[daddymack]

My production recently has averaged a bit over 50 kWh/day but it is starting to decline as summer is ending. What is the rated capacity of your system? I have a 10kW system with 40 panels that are 250W each.

You can check out other folks' production here PVOutput although that is somewhat Aus focussed. My system is here SolarScarb 10.000kW

You may also be able to put your system on this site

26 - 285w SolarWorld Panels black/black with the brand new enphase s280 inverters... so 7410Kw system...