6Kw going in soon in Aliso Viejo

[Alisobob]

solar121.JPG

Aug was a very good month, even with all the heat, and morning cloud cover..

I'm kinda' surprized...

How was your month?

[J.P.M.]

FWIW: I've had conversations with the person in charge of the megawatt array at Furnace Creek in Death Valley. They clean that array every 2 years to get the guano off and don't worry too much about dust. They assume cleaning more often would improve performance but don't know (or apparently care) how much. Some panel fouling was included in the cost analysis during design, but according to the facilities director, how much is unknown. Next time I'm there - next July - I'll ask about any info on yr./yr. performance degradation which might be easier to spot given the more stable weather conditions.

[silversaver]

Hose'em give you about 3 to 5%. I don't even bother now since still lots credit banked.

[bcroe]

Dirty PV

So... my panels have been up for almost a year...
Bird poo, dirt , dust, etc..etc.. have been building up for all this time.. output must have degraded
somewhat.... right? ...wrong.

"Peak" powers is always right around 5.15 / 5.2 Kw's. After cleaning... 5.25.

Unless you live is a really nasty environment.. I wouldnt worry about it. Bob

Sometimes I see some bird poop, but the next time I come by, its gone. We got 5" of rain
this week. If that doesn't do it, pushing the snow off probably will. Bruce Roe

[J.P.M.]

So... my panels have been up for almost a year...

Bird poo, dirt , dust, etc..etc.. have been building up for all this time.. output must have degraded somewhat.... right?

...wrong.

"Peak" powers is always right around 5.15 / 5.2 Kw's.

After cleaning... 5.25.

Unless you live is a really nasty environment.. I wouldnt worry about it.

Bob

Sounds about right. Hose'em off 1X/awhile.

[Alisobob]

So... my panels have been up for almost a year...

Bird poo, dirt , dust, etc..etc.. have been building up for all this time.. output must have degraded somewhat.... right?

...wrong.

"Peak" powers is always right around 5.15 / 5.2 Kw's.

After cleaning... 5.25.

Unless you live is a really nasty environment.. I wouldnt worry about it.

Bob

[Alisobob]

SCE is only loaded to the 14th...


For July... kept the house 72 degrees... all month.

Cost $1.02 to use SCE wires, and $60 in stored credits.

Aug should be similar....

[josefontao]

Hey Bob. Sunday was a really hot day.
Do you mind posting a screenshot of emphase output as well as SCE usage from their website?

[jakepv]

Hi Bob - would you mind sharing your installer info, please PM. I'm leaning toward Solar World's, would love to see another quote or two...

[rfay]

So, its been really hot, really humid here in So-Cal... and the kids have been home from school all month. Lots of TV and computer time.

I set the thermostat at 74 degrees on July 11th, 24 x 7, and never looked back.

This has been a $450 + month, for the last 3 years in a row.

This month looks like it will come in at around $60..... which I will gladly pay, as a credit deduction. I'll still have $200 or so left.

I havent broke a sweat all month, as it should be.

Thanks Solar...

Hi Alisobob,

Can you please send me the info on your installer? Thanks!

[RJD]

Alisobob, would you mind PMing me the company you used for your install?

Thanks
RJD

[Alisobob]

So, its been really hot, really humid here in So-Cal... and the kids have been home from school all month. Lots of TV and computer time.

I set the thermostat at 74 degrees on July 11th, 24 x 7, and never looked back.

This has been a $450 + month, for the last 3 years in a row.

This month looks like it will come in at around $60..... which I will gladly pay, as a credit deduction. I'll still have $200 or so left.

I havent broke a sweat all month, as it should be.

Thanks Solar...

[Alisobob]

In fact I think I should shut this thread down as I suspect its become a place for people to make money from referrals, I will consult with the other mods about it.

All I offer here, is my "real life" experience with solar... the good.. the bad.... and the ugly.

From time to time, folks ask me who I used, as I had zero drama with getting my system installed... so I tell them.

They take that bit of information, combine it with other info they have gathered, and make their own informed choice.

I dont follow up with them, ask them who they are in real life, where they live, or who they finally signed with... I couldnt care less.

I just pass on my experiences.... and let everyone make their own choices.

Sorry if thats a crime...

[Alisobob]

Hey AlisoBob, how does your actual production compare to PVWatts?

Hi guys.... sorry for the delay. All answers in KwH's.

Jan Actual 706 / Forecast 725.

Feb. 856 / 625

March 1080 / 1003

April 1100 / 1027

May 1020 / 974

June 1050 / 1094

July 1070 / 1153

So for some months.... It exceeds PV Watts....

Whats interesting is how the temperature effects output. It the summer, the "solar day" is a few hours longer than in the winter, but the heat kills off any chance in extra production.

My March output, was one of my best months, even with shorter days....

[solar pete]

It is indeed. Installers are best shared via private message. Not quite sure why this rule, but it is a forum rule.

Hello All,

The reason we dont like to mention installers here is very simple, REFERAL PROGRAMS, they pay people to get someone to buy a system off a a particular installer and I suspect it is happening right now on this forum and I dont like it.

The other reason is the site is owned by solar reviews. SolarReviews.com pay staff to check the validity of the reviews they receive on solar panel installers, we dont have the resources to do that here. This is why I will often refer people to go and check out their potential installers at solarreviews.com

In fact I think I should shut this thread down as I suspect its become a place for people to make money from referrals, I will consult with the other mods about it.