Self-Consumption of PV power: grid tied, no net metering, no batteries

[Ampster]

........... Seems Austin Energy doesn't want me to do that.

Of course they don't. They make more money doing it their way. They aren't going to tell you that it is okay either. However if you understand what ButchDeal is saying, you don't have to ask Austin Power unless they have some special arrangement with the building department that requires Austin Power permission. I know for sure in my county in California that I can do anything I want behind the meter ( ie, no interconnection to the grid) as long as I use UL certified equipment pursuant to a building permit.

[evolknuj]

I can do anything I want behind the meter ( ie, no interconnection to the grid) as long as I use UL certified equipment pursuant to a building permit.

Yes, I think I understand that, but I think I do want interconnection as I don't think I will always be able to self-consume everything I generate -- summer months possibly, but not other times. So I could size for a smaller system, say 5kW installed, so that I'd have more likelihood of being able to consume it all myself all the time (or at least most of the time). But I'd rather have 15kW and be able to actually offset essentially all of my electricity carbon footprint on average, even if it doesn't actually zero out my electricity bill due to my POCOs somewhat asinine metering scheme. I'm not sure how small I'd have to go to reliably self-consume most of the time, 5kW was just a guess.

[ButchDeal]

Yes, I think I understand that, but I think I do want interconnection as I don't think I will always be able to self-consume everything I generate -- summer months possibly, but not other times.

Well that is the thing. the inverter will cut back production such that it is not over producing if consumption drops at any instant.

So I could size for a smaller system, say 5kW installed, so that I'd have more likelihood of being able to consume it all myself all the time (or at least most of the time). But I'd rather have 15kW and be able to actually offset essentially all of my electricity carbon footprint on average, even if it doesn't actually zero out my electricity bill due to my POCOs somewhat asinine metering scheme. I'm not sure how small I'd have to go to reliably self-consume most of the time, 5kW was just a guess.

that is an option as long as you understand that it is not the most financially viable.

[evolknuj]

that is an option as long as you understand that it is not the most financially viable.

Yep -- IMHO still financially viable, just not the most financially viable. Thanks for all your help and quick responses to get me to understand!

[neweclipse]

Not looking to hijack here. I'll just toss this out as an example.

I am currently self-consuming 7kW here but it is not a commonly know application or an off the shelf known piece of equipment.
It is a system of load diversion that redirects any surplus PV production beyond consumption by way of a zero crossing SSR relay(s) or triac driven by a Arduino-like board with current transformers monitoring the current direction and is able to match ever changing current amount available for export and then switch that precise current amount to whatever load(s) I chose as my output(s). Which is currently into a super insulated 110 and 80 gallon water storage tanks with 4 independent conventional 240VAC resistance heater elements...2 per each tank. In my application I have the four circuits in priority steps and the diversion process happens in sequence moving from 1 thur 4 as hot water demand and PV surplus production dictates.
Water is just another medium of a storage battery. Enough for now.

[Ampster]

Not looking to hijack here. I'll just toss this out as an example.

I am currently self-consuming 7kW here but it is not a commonly know application or an off the shelf known piece of equipment.
It is a system of load diversion that redirects any surplus PV production beyond consumption by way of a zero crossing SSR relay(s) or triac driven by a Arduino-like board with current transformers monitoring the current direction and is able to match ever changing current amount available for export and then switch that precise current amount to whatever load(s) I chose as my output(s). Which is currently into a super insulated 110 and 80 gallon water storage tanks with 4 independent conventional 240VAC resistance heater elements...2 per each tank. In my application I have the four circuits in priority steps and the diversion process happens in sequence moving from 1 thur 4 as hot water demand and PV surplus production dictates.
Water is just another medium of a storage battery. Enough for now.

Actually, I think that is on topic of the title of this thread which is about self consumption. I am intrigued about that Arduino application

I currently use IFTTT to increase the temperature of my heat pump water heater when the output of my solar gets to 1000 Watts. The solar output is measured by a CT clamp connected to a Neurio which which can trigger a IFTTT action. My next project is to trigger a relay to run an outlet to one of my car chargers to soak up some of the solar energy. I am on NEM but I already have a big enough credit I am better off using some production rather than pay non Bypassable Charges when I consume energy.