A reasonable Solar Retail Plan in Texas?

[t5800512]

The M215 Enphase inverters will actually produce up to 225 watts before they start clipping. Mine barely hit that limit on the best days. Some tell me that I will be clipping on cool spring days; I hope they are right.

I can't believe that you are getting 55 to 60 kWh per day. That is huge. No wonder you are sending enough to the grid to get such a good credit. I would not mind the 11.2 cents per kWh if I had a credit like yours.

Have you setup an Ercot account? I have, but it shows me nothing yet. I'm curious if you have a way to see your grid in and out readings, with out going out to look at your meter.

[BioTech]

BioTech, what type inverters are you using? I went with the Enphase M215 microinverters. I'm pretty happy with that so far. On my best days, they sometimes hit their 225 Watt limit. It is only for a few minutes and then they are on the other side of the bell curve going down. I really like being able to monitor each solar panel to see how they are doing.

On my best day, my 14 panels produced 21 kWh AC, but most days it is closer to 20 kWh per day. You may have already said, but how many kWh does your system produce per day?

I guess I need to start logging my daily kWh usage. Then I would have a better idea how an SPPA would effect my bill. The problem is that doing it manually, I would need to do it the same time every day for it to be meaningful. When your Ercot profile gets setup, can you see daily in and out flow readings?

I have the 215's as they were the only option at the time. My panels are 245watts each. I have not seen them hit 215 but have not watched. On a good day I will collect about 60kw but an average day I get about 55KW.

BioTech

[t5800512]

BioTech, what type inverters are you using? I went with the Enphase M215 microinverters. I'm pretty happy with that so far. On my best days, they sometimes hit their 225 Watt limit. It is only for a few minutes and then they are on the other side of the bell curve going down. I really like being able to monitor each solar panel to see how they are doing.

On my best day, my 14 panels produced 21 kWh AC, but most days it is closer to 20 kWh per day. You may have already said, but how many kWh does your system produce per day?

I guess I need to start logging my daily kWh usage. Then I would have a better idea how an SPPA would effect my bill. The problem is that doing it manually, I would need to do it the same time every day for it to be meaningful. When your Ercot profile gets setup, can you see daily in and out flow readings?

[BioTech]

8 cents? SunKing, I have been shopping rates for several weeks. During that time, the rates have gone up. When I started looking, I could have re-signed with my old provider at 8.3 flat rate (up from 8). The same 12 month plan is no longer a flat rate and now goes from 8.8 (500 kWh) to 11.9 for 500 kWh. This is pretty much the case with all of the Texas REP's. It may be because oil has gone up. There are still some 8 cent rates (at 2000 +), but they are month to month. I was told by an honest representative that I would only have that rate for one month. So really, why bother.

BioTech, you have me wondering how much your paid for your huge 40 panel system if you got 12+ grand back. But it sounds like you are now in a good place. It sounds like my system may be too small to save on my electric bills like you. And I'm not sure where to put the other half my system since I have used up all of my southern facing roof.

It is way cool that you had all your paper work in the approval process before you completed your install. I'm surprised that you were able to do that. I wish I had know to do that. The grid will get two over two months of my free electricity before Ercot finally recognizes my system. I have been told it would be Sept 14th.

I don't know why they would replace my meter, but I hope the set it back to zero when they re-program it. That would be very helpful as you mentioned.

The bait and switch on the prices is crazy. Get you in at 8 cents then jump to 14cents the next month. I have 42 panels total (everything installed around 31,000) and yes I did max out the Oncor rebate (10kw max) which gave me 12,900 back. I just had the installer deal with that and take it off the invoice (was nice and easier to swallow). The other 30% did take time due to getting it back on my taxes, so I did have to float that at first. Also my original smart meter was just a one way meter. They replaced it one day when i was not home for a two way meter and put a sticker about onsite generation. Also the interconnect agreement was done early I think in part due to the Oncor rebate. One other thing I did not have to pay for was the smart meter or interconnect agreement my installer did all that for me.

If i did not have a big system I guess all the out-flow and credits would not be in the mix. Due to the Oncor rebate I Went for the max. I don't have any more room on my house facing south at all.

BioTech

[t5800512]

8 cents? SunKing, I have been shopping rates for several weeks. During that time, the rates have gone up. When I started looking, I could have re-signed with my old provider at 8.3 flat rate (up from 8). The same 12 month plan is no longer a flat rate and now goes from 8.8 (500 kWh) to 11.9 for 500 kWh. This is pretty much the case with all of the Texas REP's. It may be because oil has gone up. There are still some 8 cent rates (at 2000 +), but they are month to month. I was told by an honest representative that I would only have that rate for one month. So really, why bother.

BioTech, you have me wondering how much your paid for your huge 40 panel system if you got 12+ grand back. But it sounds like you are now in a good place. It sounds like my system may be too small to save on my electric bills like you. And I'm not sure where to put the other half my system since I have used up all of my southern facing roof.

It is way cool that you had all your paper work in the approval process before you completed your install. I'm surprised that you were able to do that. I wish I had know to do that. The grid will get two over two months of my free electricity before Ercot finally recognizes my system. I have been told it would be Sept 14th.

I don't know why they would replace my meter, but I hope the set it back to zero when they re-program it. That would be very helpful as you mentioned.

[Sunking]

N In fact it is the over way TXU is the middle man not Oncor.

Let's see I do work for both Oncor and TXU. TXU is the generator and Transporter, and delivery. In other words TXU generates, transports, and delivers and does it all. Oncor is only transport and delivery to the meter.

TXU owns and operates 70 generators in 23 plant sites using a mix of fuel of NG, Coal, nuclear, and RE. You loose the argument.

So who knows what they are talking about, and who is blowing smoke?

[FloridaSun]

Dont know who you are but from what you just stated I dont think you have a solar system or maybe you do (Bought one of the kits from harber freight )
BioTech

That's one of the funniest lines I've read here and shows you as a.... well, you have 7 posts, Dereck has 9,571 posts. That says it all.

[BioTech]

Care to admit you are wrong now, or just leave with your tail tucked between your legs.

OnCor Residential.

You just confirmed what I stated several times. Oncor only delivers the power they do not bill the customer.

BioTech

[Sunking]

Dont know who you are but from what you just stated I dont think you have a solar system or maybe you do (Bought one of the kits from harber freight )


Most of what you just said is wrong or misleading. Oncor is not a REP(retail electric provider) they can not bill customers.

Care to admit you are wrong now, or just leave with your tail tucked between your legs.

OnCor Residential.

[russ]

No that is not what he said. He stated Oncor is the middle man and they bill you. In fact it is the over way TXU is the middle man not Oncor.

BioTech

You are right

[BioTech]

Read before getting too carried away.

No that is not what he said. He stated Oncor is the middle man and they bill you. In fact it is the over way TXU is the middle man not Oncor.

BioTech

[russ]

Dont know who you are but from what you just stated I dont think you have a solar system or maybe you do (Bought one of the kits from harber freight )Funny - funny haha.


Most of what you just said is wrong or misleading. Oncor is not a REP(retail electric provider) they can not bill customers. Oncor maintains the power lines and reads the meters, By law they can not bill a custoemer thats where the REP's come in TXU, Green Mountain, Gexa and others. Yes Oncor was a spinn off of TXU but they are not the same company in any way.If you read Dunking'spost you would see that is what he said - but you hurried to get off on your green rant

Read before getting too carried away.

[BioTech]

I live just north of you in Frisco/Prosper area and been in the utility and electrical biz for 33 years. Texas is deregulated which is kind of silly because all the power in DFW and surrounding area is all generated and distributed by TXU. All others including OnCore which is owned and operated by TXU are Middleman. Works out good for TXU because they do not have to hassle with billing and all the red tape required doing so. The e eRetailors like OnCore. Green Mountain, Champion etc do the paper work, billing, send bils, collect fees and take a cut. TXU sells to them at wholesale rate, and the Retailers add a profit.

As I stated earlier Texas has no Net Metering Laws so they can just about anything they want. Now with that said Green Mountain does offer Grid interactive but they do not Net Meter in the true since. For those that do Grid Interactive pay a higher rate of about 10 to 11 cents. Your neighbors pay about 8-cents if they are smart and shopped aound. I am at 7.9 cents per Kwh. Electric rates are expected to go lower in the next 4 years because of cheap Natural Gas and Coal prices.

With Green Mountain Energy you are always going to have a bill. The system is set up that way. YOu may save 50% or slightly more per month, but in the end you will likely never break even in TX. It might make you feel better, but lighter in your pockets. Also take into consideration adding a Solar PV system is negative equity on your home. If it cost you $30K, it only adds about $7.5 to $10K on your home value.

Dont know who you are but from what you just stated I dont think you have a solar system or maybe you do (Bought one of the kits from harber freight )


Most of what you just said is wrong or misleading. Oncor is not a REP(retail electric provider) they can not bill customers. Oncor maintains the power lines and reads the meters, By law they can not bill a custoemer thats where the REP's come in TXU, Green Mountain, Gexa and others. Yes Oncor was a spinn off of TXU but they are not the same company in any way.

http://www.bounceenergy.com/articles/texas-electricity/texas-retail-electricity-provider

or

http://www.ercot.com/services/rq/tdsp/

As for the rates and net metering. Yes its true Texas does not have a true net metering, but you can still have a 0$ bill like have had. For the home value you are just reading and talking about myths. Yes you solar array will increase you home value but by law will not increase your value as to taxes. Thats where that myth comes from.

Please show me where you can get 7.9 cents per kw? That was around about 3 years ago and since then it has be a steady increase in rates. If they do advertise a low rate look closer at the terms of service most give the lowest rate when you use more then 2000KW a month or will change the next month you are on that contract.

The value into solar is their in Texas you just need to make sure you know what you are buying and talking about. My system Cost 31,000 to install but I did not pay that price for the 10.2 kw system. Oncor rebated 12,900 of that fee and then I Got a 30% tax credit ontop of the balnce which was another credit of 5,430. This placed my out of pocket expense to be $12,670 for a 10.2kw system with Enphase Micro-inverters. So for that it will take me about 6 years to break even but I broker even at the start. I basicly prepaid my electric for the first 6 years, due to me no longer paying the $180-$220 a month electric bills. After the 6 years its all free. You can look at it as a prepaid electirc or an investment, but thats if the rates stay where they are at now. I have seen the rates-go up and not down in the past 5 years and the future they are just going to go up.

http://www.takealoadofftexas.com/index.aspx?id=solar-pv-homes

BioTech

[Sunking]

I live just north of you in Frisco/Prosper area and been in the utility and electrical biz for 33 years. Texas is deregulated which is kind of silly because all the power in DFW and surrounding area is all generated and distributed by TXU. All others including OnCore which is owned and operated by TXU are Middleman. Works out good for TXU because they do not have to hassle with billing and all the red tape required doing so. The e eRetailors like OnCore. Green Mountain, Champion etc do the paper work, billing, send bils, collect fees and take a cut. TXU sells to them at wholesale rate, and the Retailers add a profit.

As I stated earlier Texas has no Net Metering Laws so they can just about anything they want. Now with that said Green Mountain does offer Grid interactive but they do not Net Meter in the true since. For those that do Grid Interactive pay a higher rate of about 10 to 11 cents. Your neighbors pay about 8-cents if they are smart and shopped aound. I am at 7.9 cents per Kwh. Electric rates are expected to go lower in the next 4 years because of cheap Natural Gas and Coal prices.

With Green Mountain Energy you are always going to have a bill. The system is set up that way. YOu may save 50% or slightly more per month, but in the end you will likely never break even in TX. It might make you feel better, but lighter in your pockets. Also take into consideration adding a Solar PV system is negative equity on your home. If it cost you $30K, it only adds about $7.5 to $10K on your home value.

[BioTech]

Also in Texas once your interconnect agreement is approved it takes up to two months before the credits show up from ERCOT. I had mine approved before the solar was installed so it was a no brainer only had half a month that i feed to the grid for free. They got the free energy from us. I really did not care at the time due to being locked in with Gexa at the time. Also got the big check from Oncor for the solar install $12,900 (maxed Oncor's rebate) .


Also they totally replaced my old smartmeter with a new one set to all 00000's. Was nice to see how it grows the outflow is just about the same as the in-flow. Just wish it was true net metering so it always would stay at 0

BioTEch