Missed the request for an update, new TBH notifications just don't catch my attention anymore.
This is the login screen of the solar generator tonight. I am a data guy and I can tell you the calcs they use for this are a bit wonky and vary slightly depending on how you look at it. As you see below the data shows Jan/Feb were dead which is not true in reality or when I download the hourly data. Either way, the total energy generated is fairly close to what I have been tracking, good enough for me.
This is what I update occasionally and use to track energy generated. Notice anything? Highlighted cell is a hint.
At the start of this thread I suggested I wanted to extend the carport for parking and give me room to add 9 more panels. Project complete.
For the three sections of solar panels (3 x 7 = 21 total panels) I added 3 additional solar panels ( Final setup is 3 x 10 = 30 total panels). This maximizes the capability of the inverter I bought, which means in the summer I hit peak power generation earlier in the day and stay at peak power through most of the day. Since the panels are generating more than peak I somewhat waste that energy, but I am maximizing my system. With the 9 additional panels I was generating so much power I was tripping the breaker again, but this time due to overcurrent and not a bad breaker. I upped the breaker to 40A and ran new wire from the panel to the outside switch and then to the inverter. It was easy enough. Between 8AWG wire, new breaker, steel for the carport, r-panel, steel for solar panel frame, and the extra panels, I spent another $2500. Don't double check my math, but somewhere around $9200 all-in, before Fed tax credit. Roughly $6500 total after tax credit.
Total energy generated to date is above: 28,645 kwH
Total energy cost saved to date: approx $3,700
Approx 2.5yrs so far, 6 months with all 30 panels
So, I added the extra panels knowing they would impact my ROI a bit, but long term they would generate more power and more money back. I expect total ROI in about 4-4.5 years from the start.
No issues with inverter or panels so far. A good amount of people would say the few $K isn't worth the time, and are probably right. All in all, I would do again, but I enjoyed the design, installation, and general challenge of the project. And I can tell anyone thinking of chasing panels from some solar installation company that is going to charge tens of thousands of dollars for the install, that they are absolutely crazy.
Panels did make it through a hail storm with >golf ball size hail. Destroyed a car windshield and severely dented the hood. Some spots on the panels, but no noticeable drop in performance.
Wits_End
This is the login screen of the solar generator tonight. I am a data guy and I can tell you the calcs they use for this are a bit wonky and vary slightly depending on how you look at it. As you see below the data shows Jan/Feb were dead which is not true in reality or when I download the hourly data. Either way, the total energy generated is fairly close to what I have been tracking, good enough for me.
This is what I update occasionally and use to track energy generated. Notice anything? Highlighted cell is a hint.
At the start of this thread I suggested I wanted to extend the carport for parking and give me room to add 9 more panels. Project complete.
For the three sections of solar panels (3 x 7 = 21 total panels) I added 3 additional solar panels ( Final setup is 3 x 10 = 30 total panels). This maximizes the capability of the inverter I bought, which means in the summer I hit peak power generation earlier in the day and stay at peak power through most of the day. Since the panels are generating more than peak I somewhat waste that energy, but I am maximizing my system. With the 9 additional panels I was generating so much power I was tripping the breaker again, but this time due to overcurrent and not a bad breaker. I upped the breaker to 40A and ran new wire from the panel to the outside switch and then to the inverter. It was easy enough. Between 8AWG wire, new breaker, steel for the carport, r-panel, steel for solar panel frame, and the extra panels, I spent another $2500. Don't double check my math, but somewhere around $9200 all-in, before Fed tax credit. Roughly $6500 total after tax credit.
Total energy generated to date is above: 28,645 kwH
Total energy cost saved to date: approx $3,700
Approx 2.5yrs so far, 6 months with all 30 panels
So, I added the extra panels knowing they would impact my ROI a bit, but long term they would generate more power and more money back. I expect total ROI in about 4-4.5 years from the start.
No issues with inverter or panels so far. A good amount of people would say the few $K isn't worth the time, and are probably right. All in all, I would do again, but I enjoyed the design, installation, and general challenge of the project. And I can tell anyone thinking of chasing panels from some solar installation company that is going to charge tens of thousands of dollars for the install, that they are absolutely crazy.
Panels did make it through a hail storm with >golf ball size hail. Destroyed a car windshield and severely dented the hood. Some spots on the panels, but no noticeable drop in performance.
Wits_End
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