Installation finally started.

[russ]

Looks pretty helpful to me Chris!

[silverhorsefarm]

1 year anniversary

On the 1st anniversary of the installation, I just passed 16.5 MWh, which nicely outstrips the PVWatts projections by a lot. No maintenance issues. Overall, I am very pleased.

Except for the electrical heating, I would probably be at the 100% mark, but I still get bills in Jan/Feb, albeit small ones. I have plans to replace my wood burning fireplace with a propane insert, which should give me headroom in my electrical loads for a electric vehicle like the RAV4 EV which is supposed to be out next year.

The only disappointment is how soft the SREC markets have become locally. Prices are quite low, although I understand that they typically get bid up towards the end of the calendar year, so I am sitting out the auctions until then.

[JERRYG]

On the 1st anniversary of the installation, I just passed 16.5 MWh, which nicely outstrips the PVWatts projections by a lot. No maintenance issues. Overall, I am very pleased.

Except for the electrical heating, I would probably be at the 100% mark, but I still get bills in Jan/Feb, albeit small ones. I have plans to replace my wood burning fireplace with a propane insert, which should give me headroom in my electrical loads for a electric vehicle like the RAV4 EV which is supposed to be out next year.

The only disappointment is how soft the SREC markets have become locally. Prices are quite low, although I understand that they typically get bid up towards the end of the calendar year, so I am sitting out the auctions until then.

Hi, I'm looking at going with Astrum, how was your experience with them if you don't mind me asking? Also, what is your average total sunlight for the year? I have used 4.1 in my models, your insight would he me price my ROI more effectively.

Glad your system is doing well, you seem very pleased the the results, that's great!!

[silverhorsefarm]

Hi, I'm looking at going with Astrum, how was your experience with them if you don't mind me asking? Also, what is your average total sunlight for the year? I have used 4.1 in my models, your insight would he me price my ROI more effectively.

Glad your system is doing well, you seem very pleased the the results, that's great!!

I could not be more pleased with Astrum. As far as I could tell, they did everything right. My installation was a little more complex than average because I had to upgrade my service to 400 Amps and the array was on an outbuilding which required a lot of trenching, bidding the price up a bit. They were not the cheapest of three bids, but they were close, and I had a good feeling from their installers and electrician, etc.

I don't know what my average total sunlight is, but whatever it is, it's the same as yours since I am just north of you! At the 14 month mark, just passed 20 MWh.

The only downside so far as been the crashing SREC market. The September auction closed at something like $180. I sold the first batch for $320 and they've been as high as $360. I've got 12 in the bank, but I hate to let them go that cheaply. I wonder if they ever age off? I need to check into that.....

[JERRYG]

Thanks for the input. Hold on to the unused until 2012 when Maryland closes its doors to SRECs generated outside of its borders. Things should get a little better for the SRECs in Md at least for the next couple years.

[Naptown]

Astrum has recently been invested in or acquired by BGE home. I would suggest you look further as generally the large corporate guys tend to be more expensive than the smaller independent guys.

[silverhorsefarm]

Astrum has recently been invested in or acquired by BGE home. I would suggest you look further as generally the large corporate guys tend to be more expensive than the smaller independent guys.

Believe it was a modest, minority position. More intended to leverage the BGEHome service network than anything else.

[Naptown]

Believe it was a modest, minority position. More intended to leverage the BGEHome service network than anything else.

Have you ever compared the pricing of BGE home with independent contractors? It is generally 15-20% higher. I also question why they needed the additional capital. Sorry but too close and too involved in this game I will step back.