What do you think of my quote for 6KW in SoCal?

[russ]

If a battery setup is available but costs a fortune it really isn't available - like the Tesla

Swapping out batteries the connections had better be made correctly and solidly - if not it will get exciting - I don't want the kid at the service station doing it.

For home charging at every home the countries entire electric distribution system will need rebuilt.

To costly to be of interest to me and will be for many years to come.

[insaneoctane]

Here's the suneye data. I think it says my roof is relatively shade-free and no micro-inverters needed....Feel free to comment if you agree/disagree:

Solar access averages of 8 skylines in this session

Skylines Averaged: Sky01, Sky02, Sky03, Sky04, Sky05, Sky06, Sky07, Sky08
Annual May-Oct Nov-Apr
93% 97% 87%

TSRF averages of 8 skylines in this session: 91%


Skylines

Sky01 -- 6/27/2014 7:39 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=180°
Solar Access: Annual: 87% -- Summer (May-Oct): 94% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 77%
TSRF: 86% -- TOF: 99%

Sky02 -- 6/27/2014 7:39 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=179°
Solar Access: Annual: 91% -- Summer (May-Oct): 97% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 84%
TSRF: 90% -- TOF: 99%

Sky03 -- 6/27/2014 7:40 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=179°
Solar Access: Annual: 92% -- Summer (May-Oct): 98% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 84%
TSRF: 91% -- TOF: 99%

Sky04 -- 6/27/2014 7:41 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=180°
Solar Access: Annual: 92% -- Summer (May-Oct): 96% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 86%
TSRF: 91% -- TOF: 99%

Sky05 -- 6/27/2014 7:42 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=178°
Solar Access: Annual: 92% -- Summer (May-Oct): 92% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 93%
TSRF: 91% -- TOF: 99%

Sky06 -- 6/27/2014 7:42 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=174°
Solar Access: Annual: 96% -- Summer (May-Oct): 98% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 94%
TSRF: 95% -- TOF: 99%

Sky07 -- 6/27/2014 7:43 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=178°
Solar Access: Annual: 96% -- Summer (May-Oct): 99% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 92%
TSRF: 94% -- TOF: 99%

Sky08 -- 6/27/2014 7:43 -- (no skyline note)

Panel Orientation: Tilt=26° -- Azimuth=171° -- Skyline Heading=179°
Solar Access: Annual: 95% -- Summer (May-Oct): 99% -- Winter (Nov-Apr): 89%
TSRF: 93% -- TOF: 99%

[insaneoctane]

I'm expecting to have a conversation with my installer about communication options / upgrades for my Fronius IG Plus V 6.0-1 UNI. Does anyone here know what kind of data I would get by default vs the type of data I can get with communication module upgrades? Are they worth it?

[bcroe]

I'm expecting to have a conversation with my installer about communication options / upgrades for my Fronius IG Plus V 6.0-1 UNI. Does anyone here know what kind of data I would get by default vs the type of data I can get with communication module upgrades? Are they worth it?

That inverter has a display controlled by 4 buttons. Default comes up momentary KW output,
can be stepped to display input (DC) or output (AC) V & I, and some other things.

Advancing to the daily mode, it will tell observed extremes of those #s, and KWH for the day.
The daily info will disappear when the sun sets & inverter shuts down.

Moving a couple more modes gives accumulated totals for KWH (only 3 decimal places) and
running hours since the inverter was new, available anytime the inverter is running. Also
are things like estimated tons of CO2 NOT put into the air by the POCO, $ saved (if you
enter your electric rate), and other things I never look at.

There are some other modes which only work with added communication options, some
fault readouts, and initial setup modes for the installer.

With 2 identical systems, and a clamp on DC ammeter, a check for identical outputs during
an unshaded interval will tell me that all is working properly. The inverters will continue
to operate at a much reduced level for an hour or so, when the sun is too low to directly
hit any panels. I often go record a few numbers in my log book at that time.

With no optional communication equipment, I find this is all I need to check operation
and reconcile my production with my monthly electric statement.

The clamp on ammeter is a great tool to check on things. Its interesting to see, when
the west facing panels are getting serious sun, the east facing panels are putting out
more than 10% as well. Bruce Roe

[insaneoctane]

Bruce,
Thanks for the reply. I certainly would like a way to see historical data. I don't want to have to visit the panel daily in order to see what I have produced last week or month... Sounds like I am in for an upgrade?

Do others find the information that I mentioned useful or an I over thinking this?

[bcroe]

Bruce,
Thanks for the reply. I certainly would like a way to see historical data. I don't want to have to visit the panel daily in order to see what I have produced last week or month... Sounds like I am in for an upgrade?

Do others find the information that I mentioned useful or an I over thinking this?

You could visit your inverter(s) weekly or monthly to see the running total, if that is
the desired resolution. I just like to see how it cranks out 85 KWH on a seriously
overcast day. Bruce Roe

[insaneoctane]

http://www.altestore.com/store/Inverters/Inverter-Accessories/Fronius-Inverter-Accessories/Fronius-Datamanager-Card/p11077/

looked into what options are available for the Fronius.
I found a product called the Fronius data manager, but it seems to not be in stock in very many places. does anybody know anything about this product?

[insaneoctane]

If anyone is interested, there had been quite a bit of progress with my solar system. The 24 solar world panels and Fronius inverter were installed on Monday the 15th. Unfortunately I was out of town on business at the time, but my wife was happy with the installer. When I saw the work myself I was very happy. On Thursday we got our city inspector to approve the job. Now it's waiting for PTO. I will try to post some pictures of anyone is interested. Having 100 degree weather with inactive solar panels on your roof sure sucks!

[russ]

If anyone is interested, there had been quite a bit of progress with my solar system.

Great news - Lets us know and see it as it goes please.

Russ

[insaneoctane]

While good news for hiding my solar installation, my rear south-facing roof makes photographing my panels/roof very hard! Of course, that means even in my neighbors yard, I've got mediocre pictures, sorry. My installer did offer to take some pictures from the roof during install (yeah).

The only compliant so far is that I've noticed that the top portion of the Fronius inverter has a hinged door that will likely clip my eve if I try to open it all the way. You have to remove screws to try it, so I haven't confirmed, but it looks like it won't clear. I'm planning on having the installer relocate the inverter down about 1" to avoid this. Before I have them go to the trouble (you can see some conduit will have to be replaced), when would I need to access the upper portion of the inverter?

[J.P.M.]

While good news for hiding my solar installation, my rear south-facing roof makes photographing my panels/roof very hard! Of course, that means even in my neighbors yard, I've got mediocre pictures, sorry. My installer did offer to take some pictures from the roof during install (yeah).

The only compliant so far is that I've noticed that the top portion of the Fronius inverter has a hinged door that will likely clip my eve if I try to open it all the way. You have to remove screws to try it, so I haven't confirmed, but it looks like it won't clear. I'm planning on having the installer relocate the inverter down about 1" to avoid this. Before I have them go to the trouble (you can see some conduit will have to be replaced), when would I need to access the upper portion of the inverter?

Depending on the inspector, you may need to lower it anyway. There is a door and a hinge for a reason, probably for access to something. It's probably not a good idea to circumvent the inverter designers possible or likely intent by defeating the workability of the door/hinge. The inspector may feel the same way.

Edit: just read post # 68 - guess the inspector didn't have a problem.

[bcroe]

Fronius Door Access

The only compliant so far is that I've noticed that the top portion
of the Fronius inverter has a hinged door that will likely clip my eve if I try to open it all
the way. You have to remove screws to try it, so I haven't confirmed, but it looks like it
won't clear. I'm planning on having the installer relocate the inverter down about 1" to
avoid this. Before I have them go to the trouble (you can see some conduit will have to
be replaced), when would I need to access the upper portion of the inverter?

Generally you only need to access the lower door on site. That is where all the external
connections are made; the power unit is simply "plugged in" on top. Bruce Roe

[insaneoctane]

I could use some clarification on what my last step entails. I am waiting for SC Edison to grant PTO. Is that just a letter in the mail? Once I get it do I just go flip my solar breakers on? I am a little fuzzy about the last step...

[silversaver]

I could use some clarification on what my last step entails. I am waiting for SC Edison to grant PTO. Is that just a letter in the mail? Once I get it do I just go flip my solar breakers on? I am a little fuzzy about the last step...

If you already have the digital metering, then turn on now

To test: the arrow should goes to the right. Turn on your solar, the meter should stop moving. When you see arrow going to left, that means your net metering have start. Waiting for the letter is waste of time.

[insaneoctane]

If you already have the digital metering, then turn on now

To test: the arrow should goes to the right. Turn on your solar, the meter should stop moving. When you see arrow going to left, that means your net metering have start. Waiting for the letter is waste of time.

So, technically, what am I supposed to be waiting for? I am so tempted to turn it on. .. your tempting me more now!