6Kw going in soon in Aliso Viejo

[MikeInRialto]

When I called enphase - the tech said in the socal area, he would recommend m215 for 270 panels and below, m250 for 280 panels and above. 275 panels are on the cusp and would be benefit with m250 for a few years (degradation)

[inetdog]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6304[/ATTACH]

So.. I'm pondering things... and this occurs to me. The max continuous output of my Enphase M-215 microinverters is 215 watts A/C.

I have 24 of them, so max output of the system is 5160 watts.

My nameplate size is 6480 watts D/C ( 270 watt panels x 24)

Question? Is the limiting factor of the microinverters, limiting my system efficiency to 80% ?

I am gaining KW's produced per day, due to longer days, and better sun angle. My peak power produced on the Enphase website is 5.35 KW's.

I shouldnt expect to see this number climb much , due to the limited inverter output, correct?

The Enphase M250 inverter, would bring my maximum continuous power up to 6000 watts, a system efficiency of 92% at peak output, a 12% improvement.

Perhaps that's the way I should have gone?

Not sure if I would call it limiting the efficiency to 80% since the panel output itself will often not be what you would predict from the nominal (STC) rating information. Among other things the panel temperature is almost always higher than STC, guaranteed to be in summer.
And the panel output will start to fall significantly outside two hours either side of solar noon.
But you are correct that you should not expect to get more than 215 watts per micro.
The difference in total power per day just may not cover the added cost of the larger micros (oxymoron?).

[Alisobob]

solar69.JPG

So.. I'm pondering things... and this occurs to me. The max continuous output of my Enphase M-215 microinverters is 215 watts A/C.

I have 24 of them, so max output of the system is 5160 watts.

My nameplate size is 6480 watts D/C ( 270 watt panels x 24)

Question? Is the limiting factor of the microinverters, limiting my system efficiency to 80% ?

I am gaining KW's produced per day, due to longer days, and better sun angle. My peak power produced on the Enphase website is 5.35 KW's.

I shouldnt expect to see this number climb much , due to the limited inverter output, correct?

The Enphase M250 inverter, would bring my maximum continuous power up to 6000 watts, a system efficiency of 92% at peak output, a 12% improvement.

Perhaps that's the way I should have gone?

[silversaver]

It is the $0.30 / kWh from 8 to 2 that tends to make this a better deal for those with solar than the other TOU plans. Many people are not large consumers during those hours, so the credit from generation adds up quick. TOU-D-T's 12-6 peak rate seems better on the surface, but ends up rewarding PV generation less than TOU-D-A does. To get the most benefit from TOU-D-A, the PV system should not over-produce so much that the baseline credit turns into a charge, but even those with bigger systems make out OK by it when the analysis is done in detail.

not necessary but true since you pay -$0.1 per baseline kWh credit. It may go up from -$29 to -$34 max baseline. I don't think I can over-generate too much from now on.... My Summer (July/Aug) and Winter (Dec) are extremely high..... as you see in the graph, 1st EV kick in from July and 2nd EV just start not too long ago....when ---- becomes ++++. Too bad, too late to go larger.... hopefully I can utilize the TOU plan....

[MikeInRialto]

Very nice! Can't wait fir my install

[Alisobob]

solar68.JPG

Woo-Hoo!!! Over the 40 KwH mark today...

Sweet!

[sensij]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6260[/ATTACH]

That "Super Off Peak" $0.11 KwH price does make sense for some users.....

It is the $0.30 / kWh from 8 to 2 that tends to make this a better deal for those with solar than the other TOU plans. Many people are not large consumers during those hours, so the credit from generation adds up quick. TOU-D-T's 12-6 peak rate seems better on the surface, but ends up rewarding PV generation less than TOU-D-A does. To get the most benefit from TOU-D-A, the PV system should not over-produce so much that the baseline credit turns into a charge, but even those with bigger systems make out OK by it when the analysis is done in detail.

[Alisobob]

BThe only reason I choose TOU-D-A over TOU-D-T is most my consumption fall in 10pm to 8am during Summer/Winter AC/heater usage + 2 EV

solar67.JPG

That "Super Off Peak" $0.11 KwH price does make sense for some users.....

[silversaver]

Both TOU-D-T and TOU-D-A are good for solar owners. The only reason I choose TOU-D-A over TOU-D-T is most my consumption fall in 10pm to 8am during Summer/Winter AC/heater usage + 2 EV

[Alisobob]

solar65.JPG

First 3 months of "Domestic" solar billing generated a $6.52 credit.

One month of "TOU-D-T" solar billing generated a $89.98 credit.

I think I know where I'm staying....



solar66.JPG

When my hard copy bill arrives, I'll break out all the numbers.

[silversaver]

At this time of season, even a 4kW system might give you surplus on generation. The real deal break are during Summer/Winter when ACs/heaters are turn on.

[MikeInRialto]

I'm thinking a slightly larger than needed system is the safe bet since it would be a lot more costly to add panels later. A bigger than needed system will also offset degradation.

[J.P.M.]

I'd keep comparing plans vs. usage month/month for all the plans and see what happens. After some time, 12 months I believe (but check to make sure) I believe you can switch back to the plan you had.

[sensij]

If you have your hourly net consumption numbers for the month, have you run them against TOU-D-A? There's a pretty good chance that it would be even more favorable for you, based on the analysis InsaneOctane performed, and which I've verified. Of course, if you are net negative, it doesn't matter what plan you are on, the end result will be the same.

[Alisobob]

Hey everyone, here's a sneak peek at what I'm going to post up.



This first snap is for Feb, 2015. "Domestic" billing -7 Kwh's daily usage, -212 surplus at months end. A $32 credit was applied to my account as a result. Disregard the $1.77 number. Thats the SCE flat rate, to use their wires, and generate a bill.




These two snaps for March, 2015. "TOU-D-T " Billing.( one is shown in $$$, the other in KWh's, but its for the same period) Nearly identical numbers. - 7 KwH's daily usage, -202 surplus at months end... BUT.. a $89 credit due to the way "On Peak" generation pricing of $0.22 per KWh and off peak consumption priced at $0.13 a KWh are calculated.

I'll wait until I get my SCE hard copy bill to confirm everything, but TOU-D-T billing looks like a winner for me.

BUT.. this brings up allot of questions, like properly sizing a system. If I had calculated TOU billing into the parameters, then a smaller system could have been designed around the advantages of TOU, yet still would have met replacing 100% of my bill..

BUT... if SCE starts to lose their a$$ to solar customers being billed with TOU accounts, they may discontinue them, or reset the pricing to take away this advantage, so if you did size your solar system around current TOU values, you might find yourself screwed if these values change in the future.

Keep in mind.. I AM VERY EARLY INTO MY SOLAR EXPERIMENT. 2 months of Domestic billing, and 1 of TOU. I would hardly call this enough information and experience to base any kind of long term projections on. The TOU pricing quotes above is for "Winter" ( Oct. to May) Summer pricing jumps to $0.34 for On Peak hours, and $0.14 for Off Peak, so the benefits may be even greater in the summer, coupled with the longer and greater KWh generation numbers that occur in summer.

I'll break all the numbers down when the hard copy bill arrives from SCE, I just wanted to give you guys a peek into what my first month as a TOU customer was like, and give you time to think of any questions you may have.....

Bob