My new system up and running!

[Bazambo]

I have 53 255w panels, using Enphase micros in Phoenix and since the day the system went live, we haven't had a cloud free day here in Phoenix yet. Close but not quite. Best day has been 76.5kWh and I have yet to receive an electric bill. APS only swapped out my meter a week ago, so this month is gonna be a partial no solar, 1 week giving them free juice (no credit for over production), and a week or so on net billing.

I'm only knocking out a 1/3 of my electric bill (watt wise it looks like), and chopping off most of the on-peak usage. (which was my goal)

Anyone in the Phoenix area, looking to knock out their AC usage, you need to make at least 8 kWh off of solar. That's when I start putting back into the grid at around 10am. Of course this depends on the size of your AC unit.

I only wish I had a bigger roof. Although, I don't know if I could afford 150 panels.

[Ian S]

Your production sounds about right. I have a system about half your size (6.9 kW) in Phoenix and my best day in the last 10 is just over 39 kWh.

I hope you will consider getting involved in stopping APS from killing rooftop solar here in Arizona. Even if you are on SRP, it will almost certainly wind up affecting you too. And don't think "grandfathering" will really protect you. If you sell your house, the grandfathering goes away so your solar system will be worth less to a buyer and if you have a monthly lease, you might have to actually pay a buyer to take it over!

[Bazambo]

I don't know if you can see my Enphase link or not. I have it setup as my "webpage" on the board. https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/...ems/mrsh229412 Yeah, the APS power grab is bull, and of course I'm against. I bought outright, as I didn't care for the two other companies, and their pushing of the lease. After doing research, it seemed like micros were the way to go, and I tracked down who was selling Enphase in my area. I found Cambio and they did a great job. After watching the panels wake up in low light and come to life, I can't imagine why anyone would want a string inverter and tying them all to the lowest common denominator. Watching the East / West / South panels come to life and their output is very handy.

My daily usage is ~200+ kWh a day in the summer. My highest electric bill last year hit almost $1k.

I want to know why APS has to have their finger in this at all. Aside from the final install, why do they need to know all the details down to the last nut and bolt. When you build your house, you don't have to tell them you're using a GE Microwave #S24893, Samsung 42" Tv, etc. They dragged their feet for 2 weeks to get it turned on, once the install was done, then another week plus to get me my net billing meter.

[t5800512]

Man, you have some high electrical usage. How big is your house?

So, congrats on your new system. Keep us updated on how it goes.

I used Enphase and LG 280 panels. I just could not be happier with my system. Now if I could just figure out where to put the last half of it. I have used up all of my south facing roof, and the rest of it is shade challenged. But my bigger problem was that it just got to hot to do any more work on it. Waiting on cooler weather.

[Ian S]

Today is shaping up to be my best production in several weeks - may hit 40 kWh on my system. Should be good for you too.

[t5800512]

Yea, I was thinking that today was going to be a banner PV production day. Then I lost power for 5 hours, and of course my system shut down just like it is supposed to do. Funny thing, this past weekend I started looking into backup generators. The worst part of it is that I lost 7 of my prize koi. Thanks Oncore!

[Naptown]

Sushi?
Or more accurately
Sashimi?

[t5800512]

Hey Naptown, I have them in the freezer. Should I send them over?

[russ]

The worst part of it is that I lost 7 of my prize koi. Thanks Oncore!

And you complain at the power company? You don't know how good you have it - people in most of the world would never consider putting anything considered critical on public power.

[t5800512]

Hey Russ, I guess you would know... I had not noticed you are in Turkey. Wow, this thing call internet brings us all closer together. But you are correct. I got to find a way to make sure that does not happen again! Maybe I should start a thread about putting my koi pond on Solar/Battery backup. And then of coarse, not listen to what anyone tells me. LOL

[Ian S]

Yea, I was thinking that today was going to be a banner PV production day. Then I lost power for 5 hours, and of course my system shut down just like it is supposed to do. Funny thing, this past weekend I started looking into backup generators. The worst part of it is that I lost 7 of my prize koi. Thanks Oncore!

5 hours was enough to do in your koi?

[Sunking]

5 hours was enough to do in your koi?

I am sure 106 degrees on Saturday had nothing to do with it.

[Bazambo]

Oh that sucks.

[Bazambo]

Ian, you make your 40 kWh? Clouds showed up again.

[russ]

Hey Russ, I guess you would know... I had not noticed you are in Turkey. Wow, this thing call internet brings us all closer together. But you are correct. I got to find a way to make sure that does not happen again! Maybe I should start a thread about putting my koi pond on Solar/Battery backup. And then of coarse, not listen to what anyone tells me. LOL

At present I am in India where the public power system is very unreliable though it improves every year. Any industry really in business has it's own power supply.