My solar

[kangaroogod]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1370824141.466510.jpg

[earlburnermann]

Nice!

[dgruber]

If you don't mind sharing some information.

What brand of panels and what inverter did you decide on?

I have been looking into doing what you have done along with a wind mill to charge a battery bank.

Thanks for posting the picture.

[kangaroogod]

They are solarworld panels, I don't remember the true specs but there are (33) 230watt I believe panels with a Sma sunnyboy 7kw inverter. I looked long and hard at wind, in fact after 11 meetings and 4 public hearings I received my permit but it did not make financial sense. I looked at a 10kw Bergy on an 141' pole but the actual production is 1/2 of the stated chart per the mfg. there is one of that setup nearby and I asked to use his Internet login and track yearly production and I was very unimpressed.

[bigtime]

What does it do? How does it work? Do you use the power it generates, or does the power go back on the grid and you get paid for it? I would enjoy hearing some more information on this.

[kangaroogod]

I have an electric meter like everyone else but it is a "net meter" and can run forward and backwards... For example right now I am producing more electric than I am using and my meter is running backwards (I am selling the electric at full rate) if it is cloudy or at night I will purchase power like normal. So in essence if I use 7000kw in a year and produce 7500kw then I will get a credit on my account at year end at wholesale. For year 1 I racked up a 2500wk credit going into the winter (which has less hours in the day of sunlight and snow on the panels at times),,, that carried me the winter and I was almost even for the year. I pay $16 a month for a meter/ability to sell. Some people get battery storage and such but the cost of install and replacement batteries does not compare to net metering. I also have a generac natural gas generator in case the power goes out. If the power goes out with solar without batteries it will shut down by design so it does not backfeed the grid

[kangaroogod]

It won't let me upload pics ,,, but since 5/15/12. 12,729kw produced... Right now it is somewhat over cast but for the day I am producing 20.16kw at 140pm and currently at 4746w true output. My net meter is showing power to the grid thus I am using less than 4746w and I am selling excess

[JWB]

Wow!!

[ga-hvac-tech]

Just curious; could you post a 'round' number of what this cost... along with tax credits and refunds?

I have heard in my area it is around a grand ($1000/panel) installed, before tax credits.

[hvac hero]

That is really cool. What kind of investment do you have in this?


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[kangaroogod]

For round number sake

35,000
-11,000 state credit
-5,000 state credit
-10,500 federal credit
Thus net cost $8500 and it will produce $1200 +\- electric per yr

7yr payback then money in the bank.
1 thing to remember,,, if you were to get a loan for say,,,, $100 a month for 8yrs and you saves $100 a month in electric then you pay your loan with your electric money your not paying... In essence robbing Peter to pay Paul for 8yrs then you will have free electric for another 25yrs.... Note my numbers are different than the ones listed above

[ga-hvac-tech]

Your state credits are more generous than here in GA. We get around 30% and that is it. The Fed, of course, will be the same.

My home has too much tree shade for this to work; and I have LOW elec bills as a result.

I do have a question though: Did you live in the house before the solar was installed? If so, does the presence of the panels on the roof shield the house from some of the heat gain during the day? I have wondered about this for years, and when I ask a solar guy... they hedge and change the subject.

[kangaroogod]

I did live in the home about 3yrs before the solar was installed. I roofed the house myself the 1st yr. the south side where the panels are will be essentially fully shaded as they are covered with panels. I didn't take attic temps before and after but I would imagine it would be cooler due to the shading.

[dgruber]

kangaroogod,

Thank you for sharing this information.

I am in a good wind zone with being located in the foothills of Appalachian Mountains.

I want to add a windmill that can handle 100mph to 110mph wind gusts with 75 mph sustained for sometimes 24 hours. Need a good sturdy tail and braking. We get this type wind every year in spring and fall. All other times the wind is average is 10 mph, mostly in the evenings when the sun is going down.

I may build my own windmill as $15,000 to $20,000 installed was out of my budget. I have been studying Hugh Piggot for the past 10 years and I ordered some plans from him. I will attach his link for interested folks.
http://www.scoraigwind.com/

With the wind here, I have been concerned mounting solar panels on my roof so I may need to mount them on the ground.

[kangaroogod]

FYI, the cost to properly install. 10kw Bergy windmill (around here) on a 140' pole is about 80k. Remember height is your friend. Don't waste your Money on anything less that 140' tower. I average 4.1 m/s at 80'

[bigtime]

Mr Roo, Thats pretty cool. Thanks for posting. Is there very much to installing and wiring them? I wouldnt think there would be anything crazy for hooking them up. Are your numbers based on you doing the installation work yourself?

In 20 years I would think this will be a lot more common. Im sure the cost of the panels will come down with time.

[kangaroogod]

Due to nys regulations, all install needs to be done by an accredited contractor... The wiring is easy enough for someone that does electrical for a living

[mariner59]

This is my solar installation.



It's 5 kWp, 20 panels. It was installed in September 2015, but we had to wait till June 2016 for the net metering to be approved. Since then we generated 14.7 MWh.
My roof is East/West, so I have half the panels on one side, the other half on the other. The highest output I have seen was 4.5 kW (around June).