Solar project SF Bay Area

[J.P.M.]

Not sure if I get a vote since I am the OP but I didn't purchase or even consider SP panels.

Don't think there is a need to continue debating the merits of SP.

I went with Solar World 280s instead of LG315 if you want to debate the premium benefits of one over the other

Fair 'nuff.

I would respectfully suggest that while you are the OP, and, I as well as some others have practiced poor thread etiquette, you comprise a relatively small portion of the readership of this post. Others may glean something of value from the diversion and spirited discussion. Still, you are correct.I apologize for my poor manners.

FWIW, those two are quality, fit for purpose products, either of which will probably give reliable output for a long as you're likely to own them. The final decision may hinge on the perceived possible future difficulties brought about as the result of any long term financial instabilities of either outfit. Time will tell. For now, your best informed gut shot is about the best you're likely to get in the crystal ball dept.

[NorCalX]

My system is installed and generating energy.

City inspection is this week. I hope to get PVOutput up and running by the end of the week as well.

I have some early numbers on production so far.

The 8 panels on my garage with more of a SW facing (225 degrees) are dying out there with about 600kwh per day
The 19 roof panels with SE facing (135 degrees) are getting about 1kwh per day

My peak is just after 12pm so far.

Production for 12/15 was 21.74 kWh with a peak of 4.396kw

I assume as summer comes the garage panels will get much better exposure and start to close the gap but right now they are lagging behind.

[sensij]

It isn't just direction, panel tilt matters too. Are the SE panels tilted more steeply?

[NorCalX]

The garage panels are lower (1st story v 2nd story) and have minor shading issues from my neighbor.

Tilt is the same though

[Yaryman]

Interesting how much more effective South facing ( 180 degrees ) panels are during the winter. I live a couple miles from the OP and my
panels as did his enjoyed the completely sunny cloudless day yesterday ( 12/15) . My production from 18 SolarWorld 280's facing South was 21.99 kWh.

[J.P.M.]

My system is installed and generating energy.

City inspection is this week. I hope to get PVOutput up and running by the end of the week as well.

I have some early numbers on production so far.

The 8 panels on my garage with more of a SW facing (225 degrees) are dying out there with about 600kwh per day
The 19 roof panels with SE facing (135 degrees) are getting about 1kwh per day

My peak is just after 12pm so far.

Production for 12/15 was 21.74 kWh with a peak of 4.396kw

I assume as summer comes the garage panels will get much better exposure and start to close the gap but right now they are lagging behind.

One day does not a year make. Output will increase as this is about the lowest output time of the year for many/most systems due to the solar position.

As a SWAG, look for about 50-60% greater output in spring/summer on clear days.

[NorCalX]

Apparently I upset my new solar system with the criticism last night.

Today I have no data at all. Looks like my zigbee refuses to connect anymore. Yesterday it had full 3 bars and all was well. Today I have 1 bar and no synchronization (same exact location). The inverter interface says no more zigbee either.

Time for some network troubleshooting

[sensij]

Check out this thread:

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...keeps-crashing

You''ll be better off replacing the Zigbee system with a Wifi client, if you are comfortable doing that.

[NorCalX]

That is my exact problem. Same info and screen shots are dead on.

I wonder how durable that pocket router is and whether it will survive being mounted in the box in a hot garage

[DonKarnage]

Hey NorcalX,

I have been silently following as I myself just got my 24x 315 LG and Solardege system up and running near Sacramento. Just so you don't feel alone my Zigbee stopped working one week after it was turned on. The inverter didn't see the Zigbee card as installed. I don't know how feasible it is for you but rather than messing around with trying to fix the Zigbee I ran an ethernet cable and hardwired it. It has been working great since then and now I don't have to worry about the darn Zigbee crashing which seems like a given! Also it was only down a day but once reconnected it backdated all the data on both solar edge monitoring portal and PVoutput... By the way Pvoutput is addictive lol!

[NorCalX]

I submitted a ticket and SolarEdge called me back and fixed it in just a few hours. Impressive CS. We will see if it happens again.

I already ordered the pocket router and will swap it to ethernet if it repeats.


As for my system we just failed inspection. Garage inverter requires an AC disconnect in sight (same as Bikerscum heh).

That was the only issue. Inspector says the follow up visit will be fast and everything else is just fine.

My install experience has had a few bumps but it is almost done.

[Bikerscum]

Interesting how much more effective South facing ( 180 degrees ) panels are during the winter. I live a couple miles from the OP and my
panels as did his enjoyed the completely sunny cloudless day yesterday ( 12/15) . My production from 18 SolarWorld 280's facing South was 21.99 kWh.

And from just a few blocks away, my LG300s (16s, 2e, 2w) put out 23.4.

It's good to be on the plus side of things again

[NorCalX]

And from just a few blocks away, my LG300s (16s, 2e, 2w) put out 23.4.

It's good to be on the plus side of things again

I think I have your PVoutput link (Brentwood South facing 5.04?)

Was surprised to see I outpaced you slightly today (17.9 today v. your 17.277)
I'm guessing the lack of true south for my setup takes a hit with the southern generation numbers winter advantage and guessing it will perform differently as the seasons change (maybe april/may is my sweet spot compared to another system who knows).

Today was a bleh overcast day (I had a strong dip in production at 11:30am v. your 11:10am dip). Maybe my SE/SW system catches the non-ideal rays better on a crap day like this. Who knows at this point. 3 data points is not enough. But I can't stop checking constantly.

This is definitely approaching OCD levels (new shiny toy oooh)


**EDIT**

And duh I was wrong. I found your system literally listed as BikerScum heh
You kicked my butt with 19.156 generated today. The benefits of proper roof alignment. Your 6kw system is abusing my 7.65kw system so far

Curse you oddly shaped land plot!

[J.P.M.]

I think I have your PVoutput link (Brentwood South facing 5.04?)

Was surprised to see I outpaced you slightly today (17.9 today v. your 17.277)
I'm guessing the lack of true south for my setup takes a hit with the southern generation numbers winter advantage and guessing it will perform differently as the seasons change (maybe april/may is my sweet spot compared to another system who knows).

Today was a bleh overcast day (I had a strong dip in production at 11:30am v. your 11:10am dip). Maybe my SE/SW system catches the non-ideal rays better on a crap day like this. Who knows at this point. 3 data points is not enough. But I can't stop checking constantly.

This is definitely approaching OCD levels (new shiny toy oooh)


**EDIT**

And duh I was wrong. I found your system literally listed as BikerScum heh
You kicked my butt with 19.156 generated today. The benefits of proper roof alignment. Your 6kw system is abusing my 7.65kw system so far

Curse you oddly shaped land plot!

Just a suggestion: Might be better to compare output in kWh per day per installed (nameplate) kW. PVOutput shows that.

[NorCalX]

Just a suggestion: Might be better to compare output in kWh per day per installed (nameplate) kW. PVOutput shows that.

Thank you for continuing to educate and give me tips JPM.

I think I like the other comps because they are in my area and I know the users on this forum they belong to so we can swap notes =)


Having trouble find comparables in my immediate area (still a PVoutput neophyte). I just located a similar sized 7.56 system in sacramento (60+ miles away) using LG315s and he is even better (true S and W alignments make a huge difference)


His---------Mine
14.923 < 17.905 I think weather hit them worse up there today
30.574 > 22.422
30.185 > 22.299

I knew going into my project that the alignment of my property was an issue. Really is a wake up call to see the outputs and how it lags behind (the winter shading issue for my garage based 8 panel array stands out as well)

*Edit to upload panel production*
Can't wait to see how it changes as we leave the low sun point behind (multiple installers said it should be winter shading only and improve as season progresses)