New 4.8KW installation in San Diego just finished

[sensij]

I'll confirm one SolarEdge optimizer defect on a P400 ... failed on day 2, so infant mortality... bummer.. but at least only one panel was down...

you can see my site here: the last optimizer on one string went out...

https://monitoring.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/public?name=La%20Costa%20Oaks%20-%20Sitio%20Corazon#/dashboard

failure confirmed with solaredge and a replacement on the way ... should get fixed next week..

BMak

Interesting. You are already the top performing system in Team San Diego on a kWh / kW basis... I suspect that the optimizer is still contributing power, but just not reporting it.

Edit: If that optimizer was really dead, it would mean the rest of your system was producing at 0.94 kWp / kW, with no other Team San Diego system exceeding 0.85. Not likely.

[makarowski]

FWIW, I've yet to learn any confirmed failure with SolarEdge optimizers due to defect.

I'll confirm one SolarEdge optimizer defect on a P400 ... failed on day 2, so infant mortality... bummer.. but at least only one panel was down...

you can see my site here: the last optimizer on one string went out...

https://monitoring.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/public?name=La%20Costa%20Oaks%20-%20Sitio%20Corazon#/dashboard

failure confirmed with solaredge and a replacement on the way ... should get fixed next week..

BMak

[J.P.M.]

That is not certain to be true. I use about 4000 kWh annually (monthly bill of ~$60-70), and I've carefully looked at projections to make sure my installation will be cost effective. It required several months of shopping to get the price to a level that worked, approaching $3 / W. If she were to target a 3 kW system, I think a cost-effective installation is out there if she can find it.

Edit: To be clear... I am, to some extent, counting on the rate reform coming through that will be raising Tier 1 prices. Also, I expect to be adding an EV in the near future, which should increase my usage from 4000 kWh to over 7000 kWh. TOU plans will help my system cover the additional load, but I'm still hoping to leave about $10 / mo that is not offset, and will hope that the final version of rate reform has a minimum monthly charge, not a fixed charge.

Opinions vary and it may be close, but not a lock based on assumptions, etc.

A hypothetical sit. using my monthly usage of 6,530 kWh/yr. ave. over 7 years.

Assumptions:

System size: 2.4 kW, tilt, 20 deg., az. 6 deg., annual output: ~ 3960 kW/yr.
Cost: $8,400 less 30% = $5,880.

Using TMY3, Miramar, slightly adjusted for my location.

This is optimum size based on least ave. cost/kWh paid to POCO on post solar bill using current tiered rates, inland, all electric., using my monthly usage. (~$0.176/kWh on 2,570 kWh billable)

Solar fraction: ~ 60%. Bill offset: ~ 67%
Pre solar bill: ~ $1,360/yr. Post solar bill: ~ $452.
Annual savings: ~ $908/yr .

Present worth factor: ~ 6.0. 12 yr. time frame, energy inflation ~ 3.1%/yr.

A longer time frame, diff. system costs, future prices, etc. etc., not to mention rate reform, will change things, probably quite a bit, but that's unknown at this time. The future is perhaps clearer now than a year ago, but flexible thinking is still needed. I started here, but I'd not be locked in.

Maybe I would have been better off saying a low bill may be cause to think more carefully about solar than a higher bill.

FWIW: Est. annual system revenue using current DR-SES tariff is ~ $1,102/yr. So, depending on how much one time shifts, it might work out to use some T.O.U. schedule.

[thejq]

151469 Also, I expect to be adding an EV in the near future, which should increase my usage from 4000 kWh to over 7000 kWh. TOU plans will help my system cover the additional load.

With the current EV-TOU2 structure, if used intelligently to optimize for the 3x factor, you might find yourself driving the EV for free (not including the cost of the car of course).

[sensij]

And she's probably correct. At about 6,000 - 7,000 kWh/yr. solar is not cost effective for her. She has low bills due to lifestyle. The goal is low bills, not solar for its own sake.

That is not certain to be true. I use about 4000 kWh annually (monthly bill of ~$60-70), and I've carefully looked at projections to make sure my installation will be cost effective. It required several months of shopping to get the price to a level that worked, approaching $3 / W. If she were to target a 3 kW system, I think a cost-effective installation is out there if she can find it.

Edit: To be clear... I am, to some extent, counting on the rate reform coming through that will be raising Tier 1 prices. Also, I expect to be adding an EV in the near future, which should increase my usage from 4000 kWh to over 7000 kWh. TOU plans will help my system cover the additional load, but I'm still hoping to leave about $10 / mo that is not offset, and will hope that the final version of rate reform has a minimum monthly charge, not a fixed charge.

[J.P.M.]

what's interesting is how many guys in god's country (so calif) have solar... we were in sandiego in jan visiting family.. when I brought up solar to my niece (she has a killer southern expose), she said her elect cost was wee bit over 100 per month... 3 bedroom/2bath home... at 100bucks, doesn't pay to install solar... so she said...

And she's probably correct. At about 6,000 - 7,000 kWh/yr. solar is not cost effective for her. She has low bills due to lifestyle. The goal is low bills, not solar for its own sake.

[paris401]

what's interesting is how many guys in god's country (so calif) have solar... we were in sandiego in jan visiting family.. when I brought up solar to my niece (she has a killer southern expose), she said her elect cost was wee bit over 100 per month... 3 bedroom/2bath home... at 100bucks, doesn't pay to install solar... so she said...

[thejq]

I have learned a lot from this tread. We are getting bids for a 4.8KW system and not even close to the pricing you guys got. Can you please PM me the installer you used.

Thank

Welcome to the forum. You're looking for the same size of system as mine. Check your PM. Good luck!

[LLN]

I have learned a lot from this tread. We are getting bids for a 4.8KW system and not even close to the pricing you guys got. Can you please PM me the installer you used.

Thank

[J.P.M.]

I have an idea: Instead of reporting how much a system produces how about reporting how many kWh a household used per day/month ? Or how much a household's usage was reduced over a period of time ?

[paris401]

what are u guys payin per kw??... out here on long island, the land of cheap power, last month we paid 17.92 per...

[karlf]

Yeah, I'm with you. The current tiered rate is already too expensive for many low income families, now with the new proposed 2-tier rates, it's going to be even tougher. I've no idea what CPUC was thinking. I thought the socialist government of CA was supposed to be on the side of the poor -- guess money still talks.

I have an issue with the rate hike for two reasons:


1. SDGE is always going on and on about reducing your use. They push people to become energy efficient, talk about LEDs, more efficient windows, etc.
2. Solar people are partially targeted in this. San Diego's experienced an explosion in solar installs over the last few years. We are targeted because SDGE wants more cash from us.

We did away with all our old school lights and have replaced most CFLs with LEDs. We barely make a blip at night unless we're running the dishwasher and the toaster oven as getting rid of most of the high wattage lights karate chopped our electricity usage. For being so efficient our reward... a higher base bill.

[ericf1]

Yeah, I'm with you. The current tiered rate is already too expensive for many low income families, now with the new proposed 2-tier rates, it's going to be even tougher.

I would have no problem with a ONE tier rate. Low income folks already get huge discounts under the CARE program. I also think CARE should only apply to a limited amount of energy, like 200% of baseline.

[gvl]

Yeah, I'm with you. The current tiered rate is already too expensive for many low income families, now with the new proposed 2-tier rates, it's going to be even tougher. I've no idea what CPUC was thinking. I thought the socialist government of CA was supposed to be on the side of the poor -- guess money still talks.

Truly poor or camouflaged as such are getting subsidized rates I think and may not be affected as much by the upcoming reform.

[thejq]

If they live in San Diego they apparently need to find a way to keep SDGE from jacking up the rates on Tier 1 people too.

Gotta go find some stuff on Twitter to see how we can help put some pressure on SDGE not to take us to the cleaners...

Yeah, I'm with you. The current tiered rate is already too expensive for many low income families, now with the new proposed 2-tier rates, it's going to be even tougher. I've no idea what CPUC was thinking. I thought the socialist government of CA was supposed to be on the side of the poor -- guess money still talks.