Originally posted by mikedunkel
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Most Popular Topics
Collapse
Can I get some last minute advice before signing contract?
Collapse
X
-
-
Thought I'd report back a year after the fact. The process took a very long time, I think my first consult was May, they started installation in June, completed installation in September with 1 faulty battery, got approval to operate mid-September, and finally got the faulty battery replaced in May -- 1 year from consult to fully operational.
My initial thought is "f*ck". I spent a lot on this system and it will never do what I wanted. In the winter I can generate up to 75kw of power in a day which is far in excess of what I use. Since the generation and my usage don't happen at the same time I still end up buying some from the utility and selling a bunch back at about a 4:1 cost ratio. Of course there are also a lot of clouds in the winter so while my peak generation is higher, my average generation is a lot lower. In the summer I'm lucky to get more than 50kw in a day due to intermittent cloud cover and decreased efficiency of the panels in the heat. My batteries don't ever charge since I use up all the generated electricity to run the air conditioning and pool pump -- I'd need a LOT more panels to compensate which would be complete overkill in the winter.
My 2nd thought is "f*ck". While I paid for the system, it's not really mine. Solar Edge and my installer still have full control over the modes my system operates in and if there's a problem (which there often is) there's nothing I can do about it without assistance from one of these companies. Without internet I'm not even sure the system will keep running, and I'm 100% certain that the 1st hiccup without internet and it's down. This completely defeats the purpose of having a solar system as a long term backup in the event of a major disaster. I get a major fault in my inverters at least once per quarter that requires help from above, this thing will never be a prepper's salvation.
My 3rd thought is "f*ck". This system will NEVER pay for itself. After the federal tax credit it cost about $45k. I am saving roughly $130/month in the summer and $50/month in the winter on my electricity. Even if I round way the f up to an average of $150/month saved we're talking 25 years to pay for itself. But since I'm not even saving that much on my best month and the equipment won't work as well the older it gets this entire endeavor has been a huge money loser. Potential saving grace would be if state law changed and I was able to sell electricity back to the utility at a comparable rate to which I pay for it. Another way this could be better is if the cost of electricity goes up drastically. Finally, it should help my property's resale value for a buyer as ignorant as I was when I decided to add solar to my home .
If I had to do it over, I'd have just purchased a generator that ties into my buried CNG tank and called it good.Comment
-
Regarding your three f*cks:
1) Your utility net metering sucks. Your state is to blame for that. Without significantly more battery storage, you have no choice but to give the excess power to your utility at a significant discount.
2) You can register for a SolarEdge installer account and your installer can add that login as an admin on only your site. That’s what my installer did for me early on. I have full access to the battery storage profiles that sync online. If your power and internet go out, the system will automatically go into backup mode and there isn’t much configuration involved.
3) Again, your state is to blame. There can be state/utility incentives for both solar panels and battery storage that help accelerate the years to break even. Your utility wants you to stay dependent and makes sure your lawmakers keep it that way.Comment
-
Now that you have 20/20 hindsight help the next guy before he has the same unfortunate outcome. Looking back how could this been prevented?Comment
-
Originally posted by Mike 134 View PostNow that you have 20/20 hindsight help the next guy before he has the same unfortunate outcome. Looking back how could this been prevented?
Right now, the only reason to get solar (assuming you have grid access) is to make an expensive virtue signaling statement. Maybe if the incentives were right, you don't mind if your system turns off during a grid outage, and you already have an electric car then you could skip the batteries and you'd rarely send anything back to the grid (or if you were fairly paid for what you sent back).
One other thing which is difficult to assess but has bit me in the butt. I've had mostly negative experience with Solar Edge, LG, and Suncatcher of Atlanta. That's 0 for 3 on the solar companies I've worked with 1st hand. I looked at Tesla and a couple other local installers and I thought I selected the best of what was available. Frankly I feel like I bought a ticket on Spirit, these companies are not reliable, responsive, and don't even understand their own products. The technology, local expertise, and competition just aren't there yet. The news wants to make you think solar is a responsible choice, but it's just not there yet. Too expensive to buy, way too little return on investment, and poor customer service all around. I'd skip it entirely if I had this knowledge a year ago.Comment
-
It seems to me you can achieve your stated goal of this:
My desired system performance is to basically run the entire house during a power outage as if there wasn't a power outage, assuming daytime and full system performance.
If your goal was ROI and using your batteries daily that would be another analysis. You would need your solar output in kWh to be greater than your daily 24-hour usage + losses in order to cycle your batteries to full every day.
Right now, the only reason to get solar (assuming you have grid access) is to make an expensive virtue signaling statement.Comment
-
It’s sad to see all the disappointment out there. I got lucky when did my solar. I got it at $1.13/kw from a competent local company. But without electricity being very expensive in NY and unlimited net metering it stil wouldn’t make sense.
The calculation is complex but if your payoff is more then 3 or 4 years, solar doesn’t make that much sense given the downsides.Comment
-
Originally posted by Cshama View Post
The calculation is complex but if your payoff is more then 3 or 4 years, solar doesn’t make that much sense given the downsides.9 kW solar, 42kWh LFP storage. EV owner since 2012Comment
-
get F150 lightning extended range, it has 130KWH with super charge, it can power your house when grid drop.Comment
-
Originally posted by Cshama View PostIt’s sad to see all the disappointment out there. I got lucky when did my solar. I got it at $1.13/kw from a competent local company. But without electricity being very expensive in NY and unlimited net metering it stil wouldn’t make sense.
The calculation is complex but if your payoff is more then 3 or 4 years, solar doesn’t make that much sense given the downsides.Comment
-
Originally posted by ktran1 View Postget F150 lightning extended range, it has 130KWH with super charge, it can power your house when grid drop.Comment
-
Originally posted by SunEagle View Post
If those trucks are even available for a descent price. None close to me unless I want to get on a waiting list for an extra $$$$
Just a thought, but how much would we pay for 130 kWh of stationary battery capacity ?
Besides, auto gouging prices probably won't last forever and you'd still have a truck - although buying it primarily as a storage battery for time shifting the draw from the POCO would probably take some mind shifting as well.Comment
-
Originally posted by J.P.M. View Post
But it is 130 kWh.
Just a thought, but how much would we pay for 130 kWh of stationary battery capacity ?
Besides, auto gouging prices probably won't last forever and you'd still have a truck - although buying it primarily as a storage battery for time shifting the draw from the POCO would probably take some mind shifting as well.Comment
-
Comment
-
Originally posted by ktran1 View PostYou get battery and a truck. Wait time to order is close for 2022. Cost under 60KComment
Comment