Solar panel question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 06-10-2021, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

The power companies will pay you pennies to use the excess energy you make and charge the going rate for it downstream. I would install a hybrid system. Panel power for heavy use items like HVAC and the rest on solar.

A 5k smart inverter system with a power wall would be more than enough to carry you through any two to three day outages. More if sunny out.

The difference with solar is you have to keep an eye on all power consumption. You would be amazed at how much power those phone chargers and small transformers consume.

Actually, Reliant and one other company will do 1:1 net metering. So any excess I produce on sunny days is put in a 'bank' and I use it 1:1 when I need to draw power.

According to Tesla, I would have to have 4 power walls to power my house for 5 days without power. Given how much power the 3T and 1.5T ac systems use, I do not see how they could last that long. My issue with the power walls is longevity. They are only guaranteed for 10 yrs which means they will likely fail shortly there after. Current price on a power wall is somewhere around $7k last I checked. If, worst case scenario, I have to replace 4 walls, that $28k out of pocket. Considering I have only lost power a handful of times over the last 20 yrs, spending that kind of money for backup power is not worth it for me.

They hybrid I am looking at is solar panels for day to day use and a 18kWh backup Generac for power failures. The only necessities are the AC, pool pump and fridge. The generator can handle that plus a few ancillary lights, ceiling fans and so forth.

They system I am considering guarantees 21 kWh a year. If I fail to produce that, the company will cut me a check for any shortage. Last year, I used a bit over 22 kWh for the year. So if that hold steady, my electric bill will be nearly zero and after the system is paid off, I will be saving about $2500 a yr in electric costs. More if/when utility prices go up.

I just do not understand why during a power failure, the power generated by the panels cannot power the house through the same switch the generator would. That does not make any sense to me.

sloride · #2 06-11-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Actually, Reliant and one other company will do 1:1 net metering. So any excess I produce on sunny days is put in a 'bank' and I use it 1:1 when I need to draw power.

According to Tesla, I would have to have 4 power walls to power my house for 5 days without power. Given how much power the 3T and 1.5T ac systems use, I do not see how they could last that long. My issue with the power walls is longevity. They are only guaranteed for 10 yrs which means they will likely fail shortly there after. Current price on a power wall is somewhere around $7k last I checked. If, worst case scenario, I have to replace 4 walls, that $28k out of pocket. Considering I have only lost power a handful of times over the last 20 yrs, spending that kind of money for backup power is not worth it for me.

They hybrid I am looking at is solar panels for day to day use and a 18kWh backup Generac for power failures. The only necessities are the AC, pool pump and fridge. The generator can handle that plus a few ancillary lights, ceiling fans and so forth.

They system I am considering guarantees 21 kWh a year. If I fail to produce that, the company will cut me a check for any shortage. Last year, I used a bit over 22 kWh for the year. So if that hold steady, my electric bill will be nearly zero and after the system is paid off, I will be saving about $2500 a yr in electric costs. More if/when utility prices go up.

I just do not understand why during a power failure, the power generated by the panels cannot power the house through the same switch the generator would. That does not make any sense to me.

Not sure what you mean by 1:1 net metering. It sounds like you think the power company will buy your power for what they charge their customers. I highly doubt that will ever happen, not a good business plan. Maybe let you go to zero, but doubt that also.

davidmash · #3 06-11-2021, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloride

Not sure what you mean by 1:1 net metering. I don't think it, I know it for a fact. It sounds like you think the power company will buy your power for what they charge their customers. I highly doubt that will ever happen, not a good business plan. Maybe let you go to zero, but doubt that also.

That is exactly what I mean and it is in the contract with the power company. They credit my excess energy at the same rate I buy it from them at. Assuming I do not use more then my panels produce over the course of a year, I will not pay a penny out of pocket for survey. The days I over produce will cover the days I under produce.

sloride · #4 06-12-2021, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

That is exactly what I mean and it is in the contract with the power company. They credit my excess energy at the same rate I buy it from them at. Assuming I do not use more then my panels produce over the course of a year, I will not pay a penny out of pocket for survey. The days I over produce will cover the days I under produce.

I doubt you will ever be paid for one bit from your panels at the rate they sell it for. Can you go to zero, maybe but I also doubt that will happen.

davidmash · #5 06-12-2021, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloride

I doubt you will ever be paid for one bit from your panels at the rate they sell it for. Can you go to zero, maybe but I also doubt that will happen.

Again, let me make self clear, what you think you know is entirely irrelevant. The 1:1 metering is in the contract. I am not the only person in Texas to consider/have solar panels. The 1:1 metering is the only thing that makes the panels a viable option here.

Since you do not understand what net metering nos and you seem to have no inclination nto want to research it on your own (common theme with you) here is a net metering primer.

https://quickelectricity.com/2018-solar-panel-incentives-texas-net-metering-buyback-programs/

Green mountain offers 1:1 credit upto what you use.
https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/home-energy-solutions/renewable-rewards-perfect-match/

If I produce equal or more than I use over the course of a year, my bill will be zero.

Not sure what is so hard to understand.