Is solar power a bad idea? - 1 year of production and consumption
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- My 11.34 KW REC Alpha Black solar panel array is now 1 year old! Let's take a look at the production from the system and see if it met the expectations and if I would still recommend solar. This system is comprised of 28 405-watt REC Alpha black panels, ground mounted with power optimizers, and is fed to a 11.34 kw SolarEdge string inverter.
#solar #solarpanel #solarenergy
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When battery prices actually drop to a reasonable level the masses will be able to afford it. I hope this actually happens
I would be nice! Stroage is extremely expensive, thanks for stopping in!
I think you titled your video perfectly.
I'm not sure about what size inverter you're using, but I think your ROI numbers would improve by increasing your array size about 4kw, or so.
The inverter was sized at a 1:1 ratio. 11.34 kW is the size of the solaredge inverter with that being the same size as the array. I believe it originally was going to be a 10 kW inverter, but do to supply chain issues and timing 11.34 is what I ended up with. The production model showed little impact from the change and any residual draw from the larger inverter was offset by clipping of the smaller unit. Thanks for stopping in!
@@k6outdoorslooks like you did the homework. I'll be commissioning my system in the next couple days.
@@powerguymark enjoy the solar life!
I would suggest that sizing the system 1:1 is a mistake. In reality the panels will very rarely, if ever reach their stated output which is recorded under perfect labatory conditions. Therefore they will only get somewhere close in the peak of summer. Having more panels than the inverter rating might mean that the inverter will be clipping production (or exporting it, depending on the inverters capabilities) during those perfect summer days, but during those dark December days, there will be more panels to get the best possible production out of the meagre sun availability.
Maybe put up another array of cheap second hand panels and do a video(s) about the whole thing.
After working out your needs, I'd definitely recommend adding at least 20% and ideally 30% for the inverter and the panels. The bulk of the cost is the installation and the cabling. Buying the next size up inverter and adding a few panels more is way cheaper to do initially, rather than doing it later, because you don't have enough and trust me you probably will!
The system was designed at 110% of my usage. Unfortunately the nwt metering systems in my area are limited by the electrical provider so you can't over size much more than your historical usage. Thankfully the wiring and inverter used on my project are "future" proof and additional panels can be added without any issues. Thanks for commenting and thanks for stopping in!
If you aren't DIY installing solar, It's a waste of money at this time. Doing it yourself is the only option if cost is a concern.
Consider a snow rake for winter if you get snow. It's not a huge benefit in all cases, but if you get a decent snow followed by a sunny day or two it can be the difference of40-80KW on a system that size between taking 5 min. to clean them versus letting the sun do the work. I have a similarly sized solaredge grid tied setup. Added a battery backup system a few years ago and installed a sub-panel to run critical loads in a power-outage. I keep some of the loads on the battery throughout the year to take advantage of the extra production and also keep the system up and running rather than sitting at idle. Batteries can be expensive but I bought used panels and EG4 batteries and added 4MW per year for $10,000, which is actually 7K after the federal credit. I probably wouldn't recommend batteries for power outage alone, but when you couple it with the extra annual production it can be a good way to do both.
I definitely need to purchase a snow rake, that'll help! The issue I had was we got 18" of snow followed by below 0 F temperatures. Greatly apprecaite your feedback and thanks for stopping in!
Sun power, gotta love it.
Soaking up the sun!
I am on my 8th year with solar and every year is different but the same summer is better than winter. There is no magic bullet but you always could add an off grid array to supplement your usage and let the grid tied break even it would also give you emergency power in grid down situation. The most expensive power is the power you replace and not what you can bank.
What's interesting is that my net metering in my location is 1:1. I get the same rate on the energy I send to the grid and what I use. Ive thought about adding battery backup but storage is still crazy expensive, for now I'll stick with my generator for emergencies. Tha nks for stopping in and providing valuable feedback!
@@k6outdoors You are lucky to get the large credit amount in Ontario Canada I have to make almost 3 times more than I use to break even on banked kwh.
@@k6outdoorsour utility pays 1 penny per kilowatt and also we have switch makes sense program where they can turn off items like ac and hot water heater in peak demand. for this the rate for that usage is half. They take that away also. in other words they do not want solar for their captive customers.Off grid is our only option.
If you can find a cheap way to keep the temp of the panels down in the summer months, (iv seen people running water over them, not sure if the there might be thermal shock affect, def dont want cracking glass) production will increase by atleast 10%, whether its worth the trouble not sure, but cool panels definitely product more....i have only 5 panels which i am going to mount vertically on my house brick wall, although in mid summer the panels wont be facing the sun directly, they will produce the same amount of electricity due to them staying cooler, thats the hope👍....plus in mid winter when the sun is low and the temps are cold, the vertically panels will collect as much as poss, as the panels will be facing the sun directly...im sure you will seen more production with im guessing the smoke now not around to block production....gr8 vid i will subscribe to see how you get on👍
Thanks for stopping in! Oddly enough the premium REC alpha panels have some of the lowest (if not lowest) temperature coefficients on the market. These panels produce very well at higher temps and that is actually figured into the production model. It's likely my panels will only see a few percent drop of production output at high temperatures. Make sure to consider that any shading will greatly reduce your output and that direct sun exposure will create more power than the drop in performance at higher temps. It would be interesting if you could mount 1 side by side to see the results. Thanks for the valuable thoughts and spending the time leaving a comment!
@@k6outdoors np....its fun to see how people use different methods to maxi the output, my 5 panels are really just to cover the base load of the house, not to be self sufficient, iv not got the space for big array.
you didnt say how much you paid for your setup and how many years it would take to pay you back with the savings...
I don't want to share actual cost because of wide variation in price and incentive programs. But what I will share is its about 7.5-8 year return on investment. Thanks for stopping in!
how much would you gain for vertical installation on say 3kw?
Can you elaborate on this? The array is mounted at an "optimal" angle in it stationary position. Ideally if would be infinitely variable to match the sun's movement in the sky.
Great video content, however, your max resolution of only 360p is way too low. We can't read the documentation that you presented...kunk
Something must not be right... this was filmed, edited and uploaded in 4k. Thanks for letting me know and thanks for stopping in!
I am seeing it fine in HD at 1080p. Go to the youtube settings gear symbol and change your playback "quality" to 1080p and watch it again.
I was watching in 3440 x 1440 60fps with no issues. While I do not know your finances, the one item that would assist in reducing your grid usage is batteries, just saying.
@scottfarland6795 the grid usage is only a result of not having enough of a bank built up for net metering. In my area I get a 1:1 for overproduction put into the grid. The only way batteries wpuld help me currently would be for power outages. Thanks for commenting and Thanks for stopping in!
You sound config maxed. Maybe look at making it more payback by looking at your actual end use gear and considering replacing your highest draw items with newer/lower as time goes on... look at the most "On" lightbulbs etc, you might be surprised at a few changes and end results over several months.
100% right on with the consumption. My biggest daily user is my electric water heater, looking at moving to a heat pump style! Thanks for the comment and for stopping in!