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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    So my install is essentially complete, save for a visit next week to figure out problems with my consumption meter.

    When looking at the setup, the installer opted for 3 strings (10, 9, and 9 panels) vs. 2. Is there any particular preference of one vs. the other? Would two strings let power generation start sooner/last longer in the morning and evening edge cases?

    The last payment installment hasn’t been made yet, so I can push for tweaks if necessary.

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Perhaps someone can clear some confusion for me please. My SE11400H-US inverter came with a ZigBee Gateway and card + antennas for the invert. The ZigBee Gateway has an Ethernet jack. The inverter also has the SolarEdge Modbus Consumption Meter. I recall reading at some point that folks said Ethernet connectivity provided more frequent consumption updates that cellular. However, I am unclear what the ZigBee setup would provide? Would I get the most frequent updates with this setup? To be clear, this is an inverter without a display that requires the SetApp app to configure it.

    If the ZigBee Gateway doesn't provide the best numbers, should I just let them install it and then wire Ethernet directly? That way if I ever add another inverter, I have the pieces to make that a slave to this one, or if things change, I could switch to using wifi if I wanted to? My understanding is that the inverter has built-in ethernet. but I haven't opened it up yet to see for myself.

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Originally posted by Ampster View Post
    So you might not know if you got the rebate until after January.
    Correct

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  • Ampster
    replied
    So you might not know if you got the rebate until after January.

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Originally posted by Ampster View Post
    Thanks for the update. Glad to see it didn't cost much. I assume it did not mess with your rebate from Duke?
    Speaking of the rebate, I know you have some time to think about this before you file, what is your interpretation of the effect of the rebate on the amount that the ITC is figured at? I have seen interpretations that rebates have no effect and other opinions that the rebate lowers the basis for ITC. You gave some net cost on another thread but I did not do the math to see what your assumption was.
    The inverter didn’t affect the Duke rebate. It’s capped at the inverter being 10 kW and anything extra just doesn’t get the $0.60/W discount.

    My solar installer’s guidance is the rebate doesn’t impact the ITC. Also, the Duke rebate isn’t guaranteed (which may be part of why the installer gives that guidance) as it is a first-come, first-serve thing that typically gets filled up for the year within the first few hours of the first business day in January.

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  • Ampster
    replied
    Thanks for the update. Glad to see it didn't cost much. I assume it did not mess with your rebate from Duke?
    Speaking of the rebate, I know you have some time to think about this before you file, what is your interpretation of the effect of the rebate on the amount that the ITC is figured at? I have seen interpretations that rebates have no effect and other opinions that the rebate lowers the basis for ITC. You gave some net cost on another thread but I did not do the math to see what your assumption was.

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Upgraded to the SE11400H-US for $350. My panel upgrade is essentially complete. Rough-in inspection next week, then button up.

    Meanwhile, the solar installer submitted my paperwork. The county approved the permit and we are waiting on Duke Energy’s approval of system. After that, we can schedule the install. Expected to be late August/early Sept.

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  • Ampster
    replied
    What did you decide to do and how did it work out?

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  • Ampster
    replied
    Originally posted by CycloneFW View Post
    Question for everyone. Given that I’m likely to expand on the system next year, I was poking around. I believe I can get another 5 panels on these roofs ............ inverters are only about $300 apart in price. Even if they increase my price by $300, would it be worth it to get the larger inverter?
    If that won't mess with your paperwork with Duke Energy I would go for it. It is a good hedge. If you found that Duke has already approved the inverter size dont worry about it too much. Many of the Solaredge inverters can be run at DC to AC ratios of 1.5 to 1.

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Question for everyone. Given that I’m likely to expand on the system next year, I was poking around. I believe I can get another 5 panels on these roofs before I then have to go on the other side and get NE facing panels (these are SW facing). The 5 would be another 1.8 kW nameplate. Should I ask the installer to put in the SE11400H instead of SE10000H so it has more room for the extra panels in a year? I don’t particularly mind oversizing the array to the inverter, especially given my shade, but on the DIY side, the inverters are only about $300 apart in price. Even if they increase my price by $300, would it be worth it to get the larger inverter?

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeBinotto View Post
    I just installed 16 Solaria PowerXT 365R-PD panels with SE-6000H. Its a 5.8Kw system which will produce ~9800 annual kWh (which is a bit less than yours but I have no shade and live in southern California) for net price of $12,100. I am blown away that you got a cheaper price for 28 panels! Must be the California cost of living! I looked at SunPower too. I decided against them. The Solaria PowerXT are great and look amazing!
    That looks great! Nobody I know has Solaria panels, so I had no local opinions. That said, mine face the backyard, so nobody will see these nice looking panels.

    Those estimates production numbers look amazing! If I didn’t have so much shade, the expected output (per PVWatts) is around 15k kWh, which would potentially offset everything once net metering and maybe ToU apply. Your system being almost half the size of mine will only roughly a 1k kWh/year difference is great.

    All the companies I seriously considered have production guarantees, but the one I went with provides either a check for the difference or additional panels to make up for the difference. One of the other two offered such a choice, but the extra panels would be at materials cost vs. no-cost. The panels themselves from wholesalers online don’t seem too bad at $335 each, but if multiple panels would be needed to make up for the difference, that would add up fast.

    That said, the company doing my install had the most pessimistic production estimates of all, so I doubt I will need to make use on the guarantee.

    This is the expected layout now. Ignore the conduit comment, they are changing it to be all inside except for that gap between the panels on the main roof.
    Last edited by CycloneFW; 08-01-2020, 08:51 PM.

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  • JoeBinotto
    replied
    [QUOTE=CycloneFW;n418563]

    Overall, a bit more, but basically yes. $10,750 after the Duke Energy rebate and ITC for the solar itself, but I also had to remove a big tree, trim others, and do a panel upgrade. With everything so far, net is $13,500. But looking at the solar install itself, I've noticed pricing become much more competitive in the past few months. The next best quote was for $14,250 (different local installer) using SunPower panels on a 10.4 kW system. Third best was $15,250 for a 10.08 kW system using REC panels.


    I just installed 16 Solaria PowerXT 365R-PD panels with SE-6000H. Its a 5.8Kw system which will produce ~9800 annual kWh (which is a bit less than yours but I have no shade and live in southern California) for net price of $12,100. I am blown away that you got a cheaper price for 28 panels! Must be the California cost of living! I looked at SunPower too. I decided against them. The Solaria PowerXT are great and look amazing!
    Attached Files

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Originally posted by Ampster View Post
    When you say the rebate, do you mean the end of year true up or the month to month crediting of power that you generate?
    Has there been any erosion in the TOU time periods (if you have Time of Use pricing) or other trends that might influence your next phase?
    Install rebate of $0.60 / W up to $6,000 available in 2018 - 2022 for up to a certain dollar amount for all applications of the rebate each year. Expansion of systems is permitted under the rebate terms.

    There is a Time of Use rate schedule. I can switch to, but unless I’m offsetting most of my usage, the demand charges won’t make it be worth it. There is also a Critical Loads rate schedule I could switch to that doesn’t have demand charges, but net metering is not permitted on that plan. Also, the install rebate requires signing up for NM.

    Meanwhile, there is not a true-up with my POCO. May 31st (or the bill a few days later as my meter is usually “read” in the 4th) there is a wipeout of any carryover credits.

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  • Ampster
    replied
    Originally posted by CycloneFW View Post
    .......I plan to expand the system next year. I need about 15 kW to offset my usage and Duke allows net metering for you to 20 kW, but their rebate is only up to 10 kW. So I’m doing the 10 now and thinking of another 5 next year.......
    When you say the rebate, do you mean the end of year true up or the month to month crediting of power that you generate?
    Has there been any erosion in the TOU time periods (if you have Time of Use pricing) or other trends that might influence your next phase?

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  • CycloneFW
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeBinotto View Post
    @CycloneFW, question did you only pay $10,500 (net) for your 28 panel system? That is an amazing price!
    Overall, a bit more, but basically yes. $10,750 after the Duke Energy rebate and ITC for the solar itself, but I also had to remove a big tree, trim others, and do a panel upgrade. With everything so far, net is $13,500. But looking at the solar install itself, I've noticed pricing become much more competitive in the past few months. The next best quote was for $14,250 (different local installer) using SunPower panels on a 10.4 kW system. Third best was $15,250 for a 10.08 kW system using REC panels.

    I was very tempted to go with the SunPower system, but as I read this forum, the mantra lately has been that "tier 1 panels are a commodity, don't pay a premium". Hence I saved a few thousand to go with the Solaria panels. Also, the Solaria's are higher rated, so I needed fewer panels now, leaving room on the optimal roof for expansion next year.

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