Grid-tied solar

[Travelover]

America now has more solar energy workers than coal miners : TreeHugger

Interesting statistic. No black lungs either.

Or blown off mountain tops.

 

[houstonscott]

Don't believe it. If its true all those solar people are sure in efficient, coal out produces solar by over 50000%. Burning wood produces more energy then solar and wind combined buy 60 times. Solar has its place, but replacing coal with solar is not in the cards. Without subsidies solar falls flat on face. I will tell you I am moving and plan on putting up a grid tie system right away, I just want control of my own power, and with my countryman paying for 30% of my system and install, I will proceed, but I thank you all for making it possible.


HS

 

[dave1949]

The April, 2013 results.

Above the model this month. We've had quite the streak of sunny days this month. I am still 244 kWh's behind on the net-metering to-date. I won't bring that down to zero by the end of July. That was not ever the design goal, but we ended up close by coincidence. Better to be a bit behind than ahead in my case.

Since installation on July 25, 2012, the total system output in AC kWh is 3839. The annual model prediction is 4447 AC kWh's.

My net usage was 463 kWh, the system produced 487 kWh.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/TBD
Jun. 308/TBD
Jul. 341/TBD

 

[Loren49]

Don't believe it. If its true all those solar people are sure in efficient, coal out produces solar by over 50000%. Burning wood produces more energy then solar and wind combined buy 60 times. Solar has its place, but replacing coal with solar is not in the cards. Without subsidies solar falls flat on face. I will tell you I am moving and plan on putting up a grid tie system right away, I just want control of my own power, and with my countryman paying for 30% of my system and install, I will proceed, but I thank you all for making it possible.


HS

Federal coal subsidies - SourceWatch
Federal coal subsidies are forms of financial assistance paid by federal taxpayers to the coal and power industry. Such subsidies include direct spending, tax breaks and exemptions, low-interest loans, loan guarantees, loan forgiveness, grants, lost government revenue such as discounted royalty fees to mine federal lands, and federally-subsidized external costs, such as health care expenses and environmental clean-up due to the negative effects of coal use. External costs of coal include the loss or degradation of valuable ecosystems and community health.
According to research by GigaOm analyst Adam Lesser, buried in a 2011 report from the International Energy Agency is the fact that fossil fuels currently receive subsidies via "at least 250 mechanisms."[1]

In June 2010, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said $557 billion was spent to subsidize fossil fuels globally in 2008, compared to $43 billion in support of renewable energy. In a July 2011 EIA report on federal fossil fuel subsidies, coal was estimated to have tax expenditures (provisions in the federal tax code that reduce the tax liability of firms) with an estimated value of $561 million in FY 2010, down from $3.3 billion in FY 2007.[2]
A 2010 report by Synapse Energy Economics, "Phasing Out Federal Subsidies for Coal" found the U.S. federal government provides billions of dollars in subsidies for the coal industry

Top Three Ways That American Taxpayers Subsidize Dirty Coal Development | ThinkProgress

In a study last year, Dr. Paul Epstein of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School attempted to quantify how harmful coal is:


Our comprehensive review finds that the best estimate for the total economically quantifiable costs, based on a conservative weighting of many of the study findings, amount to some $345.3 billion, adding close to 17½¢/kWh of electricity generated from coal? These and the more difficult to quantify externalities are borne by the general public.

While these costs are very real, the economic argument can still be abstract to people. So itç—´ helpful to look at more tangible ways the coal industry is being subsidized by the American taxpayer. Indeed, coal companies benefit from tax breaks, public land loopholes, and subsidized railroads that help them continue being cheap.


-------------
Glad to help with your solar but not so pleased with subsidizing fossil fuels.

Loren

 

[houstonscott]

What that all means is the government doesn't give coal a dime, and we all have clean cheap power. Loren haven't seen you around, you doing ok?


HS

 

[Redneck in training]

The April, 2013 results.

Above the model this month. We've had quite the streak of sunny days this month. I am still 244 kWh's behind on the net-metering to-date. I won't bring that down to zero by the end of July. That was not ever the design goal, but we ended up close by coincidence. Better to be a bit behind than ahead in my case.

Since installation on July 25, 2012, the total system output in AC kWh is 3839. The annual model prediction is 4447 AC kWh's.

My net usage was 463 kWh, the system produced 487 kWh.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/TBD
Jun. 308/TBD
Jul. 341/TBD

3060 kWh produced 3560 predicted

 

[dave1949]

3060 kWh produced 3560 predicted

Those storms you have had in the central states haven't been making it over here. Makes a difference.

 

[Redneck in training]

Those storms you have had in the central states haven't been making it over here. Makes a difference.

Yes. That is right. We are about 50% above rainfall average for April. Mid of April was pretty cloudy.

 

[Loren49]

What that all means is the government doesn't give coal a dime, and we all have clean cheap power. Loren haven't seen you around, you doing ok?


HS

Looks to like coal has received millions and is not required to pay for all the pollution...but we better not continue on this thread

I've been fine....just busy since returning from a 5 month road trip. We spent 2 months in Texas....big state...great diversity...not sure the "don't mess with Texas" anti littering signs are the way to go. We spent about a month in Rockport and otherwise up to a few days and then moved on. A few places we visited...about 8 state parks, a number of Army Corp of Engineers Reservoirs...Padre Island National Seashore, Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountain NP...travel from Texarkana to Wichita Falls to San Antonio (river walk in December!!!) to Rockport to Del Rio to Presidio to Lubbock and back to Denison and then north to Wichita, Kansas. We enjoyed Texas but returned home for a good old March snowstorm (about 2 ft and lots of wind). Now we're enjoying spring, green grass, ample rain, a fair amount of mud (gone now) and the leaves appearing and the forest coming alive!

One project high on my list is rebuilding my racks for my soalr panels and installing an additional 400 watts. (panels are in my garage) My total will be about 1.4KW.

Loren

 

[houstonscott]

Coal subsidies doesn't mean the government payed coal companies. LOL.


HS.

 

[Loren49]

Coal subsidies doesn't mean the government payed coal companies. LOL.


HS.

Federal coal subsidies - SourceWatch
Federal coal subsidies are forms of financial assistance paid by federal taxpayers to the coal and power industry. Such subsidies include direct spending, tax breaks and exemptions, low-interest loans, loan guarantees, loan forgiveness, grants,......

Not sure how you define "payed" ??

Loren

 

[houstonscott]

Coal subsidies doesn't mean the government payed coal companies. LOL.


HS.

 

[dave1949]

The May, 2013 results.

A little early since I won't be here for a reading on the 31st. No fancy interfaces or history recall here. It's the Amish version of PV solar. :laughing: Actually, for a simple system like this, all that isn't really necessary.

Above the model this month. The first half of May was one great solar day after another, not so much lately. As of noon for today, it produced 1.4 kWh. It's foggy and light drizzle, we will be lucky to get 2 kWh total today.

Since installation on July 25, 2012, the total system output in AC kWh is 4214. The annual model prediction is 4447 AC kWh's.

My net usage was 425 kWh, the system produced 375 kWh. If the next two days are partly sunny as forecast, production would be above 400 kWh.

May of last year our usage was 344 kWh. The change-over to an electric water heater is increasing our usage by around 100 kWh's per month.

The lengthening daylight hours as we approach the Summer Solstice on June 21 help, but not as much as one might think. Many of those increased daylight hours occur while the sun is north of true east or west--meaning the sun is shining on the back side of the collectors during those hours. We do get a little bit of output due to ambient light however.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/375
Jun. 308/TBD
Jul. 341/TBD

 

[atlkep1]

Dave,

Just wanted to say THANX!!!:thumbsup: for posting these numbers each month.

I am in early stages of determining viability of PV system for our home and the reading (system performance and general comments) here is a great resource for me.

Keith

 

[Redneck in training]

The May, 2013 results.

A little early since I won't be here for a reading on the 31st. No fancy interfaces or history recall here. It's the Amish version of PV solar. :laughing: Actually, for a simple system like this, all that isn't really necessary.

Above the model this month. The first half of May was one great solar day after another, not so much lately. As of noon for today, it produced 1.4 kWh. It's foggy and light drizzle, we will be lucky to get 2 kWh total today.

Since installation on July 25, 2012, the total system output in AC kWh is 4214. The annual model prediction is 4447 AC kWh's.

My net usage was 425 kWh, the system produced 375 kWh. If the next two days are partly sunny as forecast, production would be above 400 kWh.

May of last year our usage was 344 kWh. The change-over to an electric water heater is increasing our usage by around 100 kWh's per month.

The lengthening daylight hours as we approach the Summer Solstice on June 21 help, but not as much as one might think. Many of those increased daylight hours occur while the sun is north of true east or west--meaning the sun is shining on the back side of the collectors during those hours. We do get a little bit of output due to ambient light however.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/375
Jun. 308/TBD
Jul. 341/TBD

My system produced 3110 kWh (3720 kWh predicted) in May. 84% of predicted production.

 

[dave1949]

The June, 2013 results.

Above the model this month.

Since installation on July 25, 2012, the total system output in AC kWh is 4593. The annual model prediction is 4447 AC kWh's.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/375
Jun. 308/379
Jul. 341/TBD

 

[dave1949]

The July, 2013 results.

Two sunny days above the model this month after a very slow start.

As of July 25, 2013 for one complete year of operation, the system produced 4,895 AC kWh. This is 10% above the NREL prediction of 4,447 AC kWh.

I think plus/minus 10% is acceptable.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/375
Jun. 308/379
Jul. 341/377

 

[dave1949]

The July, 2013 results.

Two sunny days above the model this month after a very slow start.

As of July 25, 2013 for one complete year of operation, the system produced 4,895 AC kWh. This is 10% above the NREL prediction of 4,447 AC kWh.

I think plus/minus 10% is acceptable.

The PVWatts model AC kWh predicted/actual:
2012
Aug. 383/460.7
Sep. 394/480.9
Oct. 369/378.6
Nov. 283/400.3
Dec. 331/297.2
2013
Jan. 388/440
Feb. 412/375
Mar. 509/462
Apr. 374/487
May 353/375
Jun. 308/379
Jul. 341/377

 

[dave1949]

Some news about power availability while the grid is down.

Sunny Boy (SMA America) now offers a grid-tied inverter that produces up to 1500 watts at a dedicated outlet when the grid is down and the sun is shining--without batteries. Not much, but enough to charge phone and laptop batteries or brew a pot of coffee. Any minor disaster is bearable with coffee. :laughing:

SUNNY BOY 3000TL-US / 4000TL-US / 5000TL-US. SMA America, LLC

 

[Travelover]

Some news about power availability while the grid is down.

Sunny Boy (SMA America) now offers a grid-tied inverter that produces up to 1500 watts at a dedicated outlet when the grid is down and the sun is shining--without batteries. Not much, but enough to charge phone and laptop batteries or brew a pot of coffee. Any minor disaster is bearable with coffee. :laughing:

SUNNY BOY 3000TL-US / 4000TL-US / 5000TL-US.*SMA America, LLC

This is a great feature and it would seem that it could be done at a minimal cost.