-
-
You're welcome.
Giving this some further thought:
- Saying (writing) that I don't usually bother with the 1X/month updates is not the same as saying I find them irksome. That's why I added the clarifier about adding some perspective.
- I usually stay out of threads that don't interest me, or where I feel I have nothing of value to add, or would only exhibit ignorance.
- The perspective part usually involves a comment I may have to the usual or often made statement about beating PVWatts by a large amount, or beating the vendor's estimate, or a less than zero electric bill.
- FWIW, I wonder how many folks see those conditions as a possible result of vendors taking advantage of customer's ignorance to underestimate performance estimates prior to sale. Consistently beating estimates, and/or beating them by a large measure to me means there is something consistently wrong with the estimate. In those cases, I follow the money, and in most cases oversized systems waste it (money). "Newbies" may appreciate that perspective - or not - their choice., but I fail to see how such information will hurt more than help.
- As for beating PVWatts, my comments MAY serve as sort of a heads' up to "newbies" to not only be aware of PVWatts as a tool and use it as such, but BEWARE that it still, usually and often underestimates system performance.
- As for the usual glee that a bill is zeroed out - great feeling - enjoy. But just a reminder, oversized systems are often and usually less than optimally cost effective.
What I forgot to remember was that something I often add to my posts applies to me as well:
Take what you want/need of the above. Scrap the rest.Comment
-
Thanks JPM...
I want to make somethings very clear... if and when I say "My system is ahead of the PV Watts forcast", remember two things.
1. Weather is fickle. California was way behind in annual rainfall. Thats means more sunny days than usual are occurring . It would be expected to be ahead of the PV Watts numbers right now, only to fall behind if and when the rains do return.
2. As JPM stated, the closer you come to zeroing out your bill, the closer you come to leaving money on the table. I wanted to come close to zeroing out my current bill, as a EV may be in my future, or maybe a pool. I wanted a little "reserve", just in case. For many, just removing the Tier 2,3, and 4 charges will make more economic sense. Everyone do your own homework, and no peeking.
I expect to have solar success's, as well as solar failures. Its all here for everyone to see. I'm trying to keep it fun and interesting so folks will stop in from time to time.... with the goal of them learning something along the way.
BobComment
-
Understood.
As for # 2: Maybe I wrote that, but I don't recall doing it. More importantly, I'm of the opinion that zeroing out a bill is, indeed, in all likelihood, probably leaving some $$ on the table, but I'll not challenge that some may have inferred such a statement from my spoor - as in "...zeroing out an electric bill may not be the most cost effective option...". I do recall writing that on several occasions.Comment
-
Thank you, Bob for your info!Comment
-
Hey everyone, here's a sneak peek at what I'm going to post up.
This first snap is for Feb, 2015. "Domestic" billing -7 Kwh's daily usage, -212 surplus at months end. A $32 credit was applied to my account as a result. Disregard the $1.77 number. Thats the SCE flat rate, to use their wires, and generate a bill.
These two snaps for March, 2015. "TOU-D-T " Billing.( one is shown in $$$, the other in KWh's, but its for the same period) Nearly identical numbers. - 7 KwH's daily usage, -202 surplus at months end... BUT.. a $89 credit due to the way "On Peak" generation pricing of $0.22 per KWh and off peak consumption priced at $0.13 a KWh are calculated.
I'll wait until I get my SCE hard copy bill to confirm everything, but TOU-D-T billing looks like a winner for me.
BUT.. this brings up allot of questions, like properly sizing a system. If I had calculated TOU billing into the parameters, then a smaller system could have been designed around the advantages of TOU, yet still would have met replacing 100% of my bill..
BUT... if SCE starts to lose their a$$ to solar customers being billed with TOU accounts, they may discontinue them, or reset the pricing to take away this advantage, so if you did size your solar system around current TOU values, you might find yourself screwed if these values change in the future.
Keep in mind.. I AM VERY EARLY INTO MY SOLAR EXPERIMENT. 2 months of Domestic billing, and 1 of TOU. I would hardly call this enough information and experience to base any kind of long term projections on. The TOU pricing quotes above is for "Winter" ( Oct. to May) Summer pricing jumps to $0.34 for On Peak hours, and $0.14 for Off Peak, so the benefits may be even greater in the summer, coupled with the longer and greater KWh generation numbers that occur in summer.
I'll break all the numbers down when the hard copy bill arrives from SCE, I just wanted to give you guys a peek into what my first month as a TOU customer was like, and give you time to think of any questions you may have.....
BobComment
-
If you have your hourly net consumption numbers for the month, have you run them against TOU-D-A? There's a pretty good chance that it would be even more favorable for you, based on the analysis InsaneOctane performed, and which I've verified. Of course, if you are net negative, it doesn't matter what plan you are on, the end result will be the same.CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozxComment
-
I'd keep comparing plans vs. usage month/month for all the plans and see what happens. After some time, 12 months I believe (but check to make sure) I believe you can switch back to the plan you had.Comment
-
I'm thinking a slightly larger than needed system is the safe bet since it would be a lot more costly to add panels later. A bigger than needed system will also offset degradation.Comment
-
At this time of season, even a 4kW system might give you surplus on generation. The real deal break are during Summer/Winter when ACs/heaters are turn on.Comment
Tweet
Comment