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[sdold]

Hi Henryhg, it usually takes only a day or two for full approval to create threads, in the meantime welcome aboard and have fun reading.

[Green life]

So I must wait till I get approved? All I want to know is what kind of inverter and solar panels do I need for a 48v 20ah lipro battery

[Path]

Just ask your question, I'll split it to its' own topic, as soon as I know what you want.

Ok


I have opened the thread now here https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...oters-off-grid

[socal23]

Hello! Hope it’s okay to post here. My account was validated 3 days ago, but I can’t post yet.

Looking for your wisdom for a small system in Southern California (SCE). I’ve learned a lot at this forum- read Dummies book, checked out PVWatts, learned panels are commodities, and to put little trust in warranties…I still got a lot to learn.

This is where I'm in the process: I've narrowed 4 online quotes to two local installers that I'm contacting to arrange site visits and formal bids (online quotes are below, no visits yet).

Annual electrical usage estimate: 4,652 kWh

I have one EV, but I charge almost exclusively at work (annual estimate ~1275kWh)

I want to oversize the system (1) for greater flexibility for charging EV at home (2) to offset NEM 2.0 TOU pricing (3) kids are still small, so energy need may increase over time.

Quote 1:

3.3kW system
Panasonic HIT (VBHN330SA17E) x 10
Enphase IQ7x-96-xACM-US-240
Year 1 Estimate: 5,615 kWh
$9075/3300W = $2.75/watt
Local installer doing business for 10 years

Quote 2
3.6 kW system
LG 360N1C-N5 x 10
Enphase IQ7+
Year 1 Estimate: 5,746 kWh
$10,060/3600W = $2.79/watt

Local installer doing business for 20 years

Questions

1. What should I be considering as I request formal bids? In one thread, JPM wrote “Investigate the vendors as much as the equipment.” What are the best practices for investigating vendors? Both these finalists come with the personal recommendation of neighbors and plenty of 5 star online reviews (if those are worth anything).

2. How much should I oversize the system? People with families, how has your usage changed as your kids have grown? Our kids are still grade school aged. Is it worth it to install 2, 3, 4 more panels? Or is that overkill?

3. Other considerations or advice?

Thanks very much!

[Mike90250]

Chose a vendor with diversified work, a general electrical contractor that does solar, will still be around, but the temps hired by home despot will be gone in 2 years.
Sanyo, Hitachi, other big electronics names, will be in business for quite some time. I bought Evergreen panels in their heyday, Where is evergreen now ?

[littleharbor]

Chose a vendor with diversified work, a general electrical contractor that does solar, will still be around, but the temps hired by home despot will be gone in 2 years.
Sanyo, Hitachi, other big electronics names, will be in business for quite some time. I bought Evergreen panels in their heyday, Where is evergreen now ?

Out of curiosity, How are those Evergreen panels doing? I always thought they were very well made panels.

[Mike90250]

Out of curiosity, How are those Evergreen panels doing? I always thought they were very well made panels.

They are still cranking out power after 10 + years

[solar pete]

[QUOTE=. I bought Evergreen panels in their heyday, Where is evergreen now ?[/QUOTE]

So did we, I still have a pallet in storage as spares, have only had a to replace a couple in 10 years, must have installed a few thousand of them, we quite liked them

[littleharbor]

So did we, I still have a pallet in storage as spares, have only had a to replace a couple in 10 years, must have installed a few thousand of them, we quite liked them

Were those US made Evergreen panels? Seems they would pretty exotic panels, "down under"

[solar pete]

Yeah made in the USA, they talked up a big game with their fancy "string ribbon technology" so we talked them up hard and sold and installed a bunch of them, my brother was very sad when they went away.

[FireDocUSMC]

I have already registered and clicked the link 6 Oct 2021 - To complete your registration, please visit this URL:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/registration/activateUser? However, how many hours or days after I completed the activation process, am I to be notified ? As I do wish to post my question to the Solar Panel Team or its Readers, Thank you, D.R. "Doc" Young

[sdold]

Hello FireDocUSMC,welcome to the forum. It looks like you're registered and ready to go.