Hello From San Diego!

[wheaton4prez]

Hello.

The state has twisted my arm enough. I'm crying "uncle" and looking for solar.

I hope to learn a little here and then also share my info with others if they need it to compare experiences in the area.

[SunEagle]

Hello wheaton4prez and welcome to Solar Panel Talk

I hope you are not hurt by the "need" to go solar and you take your time to first understand what it is all about and then get a good price.

[wheaton4prez]

We are a high power-use family with lots of computers and A/C. And California power costs are through the roof. So, unfortunately, it's just not practical to not have solar.

[J.P.M.]

We are a high power-use family with lots of computers and A/C. And California power costs are through the roof. So, unfortunately, it's just not practical to not have solar.

If you spend time and some effort at learning ways to conserve energy to the extent your lifestyle allows BEFORE your throw expensive PV at your use shotgun fashion with the idea that PV is a magic bullet (it ain't), any alternate energy schemes you subsequently employ will be less costly and easier to acquire, install and use.
The smart money reduces use before generating power to meet waste that could have been eliminated before PV.

Welcome to the neighborhood and the forum of few(er) illusions.

[RichardCullip]

Welcome aboard. As another North San Diego member I hope you find a vendor that does quality work at a price you re comfortable with. As you know, SDG&E has very high electric rates and this makes a solar installation quite attractive. However do your homework so you can dial in a fit-for-purpose solar system size. Hopefully you can hit the goldilocks design - not too big, not too small.

[wheaton4prez]

If you spend time and some effort at learning ways to conserve energy to the extent your lifestyle allows BEFORE your throw expensive PV at your use shotgun fashion with the idea that PV is a magic bullet (it ain't), any alternate energy schemes you subsequently employ will be less costly and easier to acquire, install and use.
The smart money reduces use before generating power to meet waste that could have been eliminated before PV.

Welcome to the neighborhood and the forum of few(er) illusions.

Thank you. It's good advice to reduce power use first. But, for that, I need to read up more about how to control wives and teenagers. I'm not sure if I will have enough time to master that before it becomes irrelevant.

[wheaton4prez]

Welcome aboard. As another North San Diego member I hope you find a vendor that does quality work at a price you re comfortable with. As you know, SDG&E has very high electric rates and this makes a solar installation quite attractive. However do your homework so you can dial in a fit-for-purpose solar system size. Hopefully you can hit the goldilocks design - not too big, not too small.

Thank you. Did you hire a vendor for your install? (Assuming you have one?). Or, are you DIY?

[RichardCullip]

Thank you. Did you hire a vendor for your install? (Assuming you have one?). Or, are you DIY?

I used San Diego County Solar as I wasn’t comfortable trying to do it myself

[J.P.M.]

Thank you. It's good advice to reduce power use first. But, for that, I need to read up more about how to control wives and teenagers. I'm not sure if I will have enough time to master that before it becomes irrelevant.

It's all in the leadership. That and cattle prods.

[wheaton4prez]

I used San Diego County Solar as I wasn’t comfortable trying to do it myself

Were you happy with them?

[wheaton4prez]

It's all in the leadership. That and cattle prods.

LOL

Can you recommend a cattle prod brand?

[SunEagle]

LOL

Can you recommend a cattle prod brand?

Are those prods even legal in CA?

[RichardCullip]

Were you happy with them?

Yes. My system was installed in early 2019 and has been running with no problems ever since. I have a stone covered metal roof which added a bit of difficulty to the install. They partnered with an experienced roofing company during the install to ensure that the panels were mounted correctly. It was a flawless install and I was up and running with the blessing of both the city of Poway inspectors and SDG&E three days after the install. Back then they were installing with LG panels and SolarEdge inverters. I understand they have swapped over to Enphase microinverters and don't have a clue on which panels they are using.

[J.P.M.]

Are those prods even legal in CA?

Legal's got zero to do with it.
They're simply motivational tools that cut to the chase and bypassed the political correctness cluster functions.
Tip: The lower voltage models didn't seem to impair production as much and the office floor stayed cleaner.

[bcroe]

Thank you. It's good advice to reduce power use first. But, for that, I need to read up more about how to control wives and teenagers. I'm not sure if I will have enough time to master that before it becomes irrelevant.

The first step (taken here after I bought my first house) is to put
numbers on exactly how much, and to where your energy is
going. Then see clearly where the best improvements can be
made. Today a KILL-A-WATT meter is quite useful. For 240VAC
you might apply a DROK 6-IN-1 MULTIMETER, plenty of
examples of that here.

Using Energy Star appliances can really help, with both running
and Vampire loads. If your AC is ancient stuff with a 14 or so
SEER, dump it for the latest closer to 30. You will like it much
better too. Other occupants can be dealt with, make sure the
lights they always leave on are LED, and motion det or timers
can work. How is your house insulation? Bruce Roe