Solar panel configuration auppor

[Nhojeod]

Morning all,

I'm looking to acquire a solar system and I've done some research (when I say research I mean googling) and made a small list of what I believe is needed.

Before I go any further, my daily power consumption is 15kwh and could be a little bit more. I also have little bit of tree shading.

My intention is to have system which could act as an ESS, assuming i understood what an ESS is, i wanted to get a 5kw hybrid inverter and 10kwh battery and a few panels. For the panels, I did the suggested calculations based on a few factors such as day light and shades and arrived at 14 panels @450W; for the battery I leaned towards the pylontech 5000.

The issue now is that I tried getting quotes to compare for a better deal. I've been offered different systems and everyone says theirs is the best which is confusing.
The first comapny offered panels, a hybrid inverter with modular battery saying its the best deal for my consumption (this matches what I believe I need). The second offered panels with micro inverters attached to each panel, says its the leading in solar technology and with a modular battery. They say longevity and management is better as you still get energy generated even if one panel/inverter goes down. The third offered either an inverter or micro inverters with the panels.

I am now confused, what is the better system to go for? The micro inverters sounds easily scallable and i like the fact that when a panel goes down you still have others working at full capacity.
Any advice would be great. Thank you.

[Rade]

You are beginning correctly by doing your research. It helps to talk to multiple vendors and installers, and I would also venture to talk to any neighbors who went the solar route. For me / us here; I'm retired, spouse is getting there - we did not want to have to be problem solving component issues, so we looked more to service, warranty and support. One phone number to call if something goes sideways. I have neighbors who used the "Door Knocker" solar vendor ("We'll lease your roof from you!"), the system went offline for about six months because the installer sold the rights to a 3rd party. Another neighbor had a "Mom & Pop" installer who used piece-meal components, and had issues with finger pointing when something went offline ("Not our component, someone else has to look at it"). We watched every YouTube video out there on the different vendors, who offered the best service in our region and what problems to look for if we went with a lesser construct. Ended up getting multiple bids and ultimately went with Generac for panels, inverter and batteries. Looked at Tesla, but in our region (Rhode Island) they have an abysmal service and support record; other regions where they have the established regional service, much better.

One thing to also consider is that, going with a regional installer, they can verify your math on your system sizing and needs before you write a check. The two vendors we got bids from sized things a little differently; we ended up with an 18kW battery backup that, when it is not storming, I use it to power the house. There were about 6 weeks this season when we pulled nothing from the grid (but the days are already getting shorter).

Other folks on this forum are considerably more tech-savvy and may be able to help you through the decision gates on a more "kit-bashed" system.

Finally, and this was the hardest lesson for me, PATIENCE. New install, new inverter, new operating system code, stuff went sideways for the first 9 months. But the bugs got worked out and we are now a year+ into our installation. The folks here told me EXACTLY what to expect, and they were 100% spot on.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey!
Rade

[J.P.M.]

You need more info than just googling to get information.

Start by a free download of "Solar Power Your Home for Dummies".
It's dated but it covers all the basics which don't change.

What do you want to accomplish by getting a PV system ?
That is, what are your specific goals ? And, what's your plan to accomplish those goals ?

The book will give you the basics which it sounds (reads) like you don't know about (yet). The Dummies book will give you a deeper perspective than you seem to have at this point.
What you have now seems like mostly hearsay, junk from neighbors who know less than you do about the subject, and info from a bunch of vendors who, according to them, each sell the best equipment, but who statistically have a pretty good probability of NOT being around much longer.

This site was once good for folks, particularly newbies, who wanted straight and informed answers. Now it has fewer knowledgeable users and more posters of the type who are long on opinion but short on technical competence.

In other words, get your own information and be skeptical. More self-education will bring the reasons why into focus.

The solar craze is over and safe, informed, technically correct and unbiased information is harder to come by most everywhere.

Bottom line: Read the book, check NREL sites, and get informed including a PRELIMINARY PV size estimating program called PVWatts. It's quite user friendly and is also a good source of beginner info. Just read ALL the help screens a couple of times before you make any runs. I know all the self-education can be a PITA, but without a decent self-education you're in for a self-screwing. If you ask a question of anyone, make sure you know or at least have a pretty good idea of the answer(s) before you ask.

Welcome to the neighborhood and the forum of (fewer) illusions.