Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[alienwulf]

I don't claim to know how it works but when my system was done my installers were very clear. Do not energize the system until approval from SCE comes.
When I asked why I was told has to do with power going out over the lines without their knowledge. Could cause injury or death. I wasn't going to argue about it, I just waited.

[russ]

Why would they not like this?

It is not yet an accepted system by them and it happens to be their grid. The amount you "give" to the grid is meaningless it is so small.

[SunEagle]

That's an interesting point. The POCO should actually be happy with this...Im putting energy back into the grid and getting no credit for it. Heck, not only am I giving them free power, I'm still paying for energy from the grid too...so it's like the POCO is double dipping here. Why would they not like this?

They may like the prospect of getting "free" energy or they may just be anal and not like co-generation without their approval and blessings.

I'm saying just be careful because if should anything happen on their distribution line they may come pointing to you.

[HX_Guy]

Correct me if I am wrong. Is not the energy that is "disappearing" and you aren't using and aren't getting paid for going into the grid - to be used by your neighbors? Seems like it has to go somewhere...

I can see how the POCO might not be happy but not completely upset.

That's an interesting point. The POCO should actually be happy with this...Im putting energy back into the grid and getting no credit for it. Heck, not only am I giving them free power, I'm still paying for energy from the grid too...so it's like the POCO is double dipping here. Why would they not like this?

[Living Large]

That makes sense. Just be careful the Utility might get pi$$ed off because you have turn on your system before they changed out the meter. The data logging systems today would easily catch the lack of kWh being purchased by you during the day which could be flagged as an issue.

Anyway. I'm glad it is all approved and working for you.

Correct me if I am wrong. Is not the energy that is "disappearing" and you aren't using and aren't getting paid for going into the grid - to be used by your neighbors? Seems like it has to go somewhere...

I can see how the POCO might not be happy but not completely upset.

[ericf1]

For "testing" purposes only, of course.

I ran my system for one day, for "testing purposes only". I then shut it off, waiting patiently for the city to perform their final (hopefully) inspection. Well, three days later, I received a robo-call from SDG&E telling me to turn off my system until final approval. They're watching me.

[HX_Guy]

For "testing" purposes only, of course.

Of course.

[Amy@altE]

On a side note, we're now trying to do everything the reverse of before. Meaning, previously we'd try to use as little power as possible during the day and keep heaving usage items for "off-peak" hours..now I told my wife to do anything she wants between 10am - 5pm. Also changed the pool pump timer from 2am-6am (that's the big hump you see in the previous day graph) to now run during the day.

For "testing" purposes only, of course.

[HX_Guy]

I know a couple people who didn't have any issues running their systems for about 2 weeks between the time the city approved it and the time the Utility changed out the meter...hopefully I won't have any issues either.

On a side note, we're now trying to do everything the reverse of before. Meaning, previously we'd try to use as little power as possible during the day and keep heaving usage items for "off-peak" hours..now I told my wife to do anything she wants between 10am - 5pm. Also changed the pool pump timer from 2am-6am (that's the big hump you see in the previous day graph) to now run during the day.

[SunEagle]

That makes sense. Just be careful the Utility might get pi$$ed off because you have turn on your system before they changed out the meter. The data logging systems today would easily catch the lack of kWh being purchased by you during the day which could be flagged as an issue.

Anyway. I'm glad it is all approved and working for you.

[HX_Guy]

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

I don't think either is happening. It seems that during the day while the system is producing, the house is using up the energy it needs from the solar and the rest just "disappears". It's not getting credited it my account since I don't have a net metering plan in place yet.

Logging into my Utility account online, here is what Feb 8th looked like when the system produced 55kWh. The grid basically showed zero usage during the hours the solar was producing, then resumed using power from the grid.



And here is this month to date. A typical day w/o solar we used between 45-50kWh. On Feb 7th, the system only ran 11:45 - 2:00 and produced 21kWh and the total day usage with the Utility shows 31kWh. Feb 8th, solar ran all day and produced 55kWh, the Utility shows 20kWh used from the grid. Feb 10th, system produced 52kWh and we used 27kWh from the grid.

So basically during hours that the solar is producing, the house tends to use about 20kWh..anything over that that is produces goes to waste at this point instead of being credited to the Utility account.

[control4userguy]

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

Credit? Of course not. He just got his sign-off yesterday...

[control4userguy]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

You probably won't hear too much about the installs that went down in 3 days (including permit sign-off) because there's not much to say when things go right. When things go absolutely wrong you get threads of 25,000 views. I'm with you though. Aside from maybe the water quality industry, some of these solar firms are rude & crude.

[SunEagle]

At least I can say I'm happy with the system itself. It's doing very well, can't wait for May/June to come around as those are the best months for solar here in Phoenix.



Thanks again to everyone who contributed and helped, I think this thread is ready to be put to rest.

Now that you are producing, what is happening to the excess kWh going back to the Utility? Are you being charged or getting credit for them?

[azdave]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

I did my homework and found a local family owned business that has been in solar for many years. They were happy to sell me a 6.6kW grid-tie system (everyone else pressured me to lease). They did exactly what was outlined in the contract. The install was neatly planned and executed and I was kept well informed of the dates when work was being done. The permits and inspections went without a hitch including the installer handling my HOA requirements. I was up and running only a few day later than they originally estimated and that was due to waiting on a final approval from the utility to place the meter. Installed cost after incentives was $1.68 a watt so I don't think I paid through the nose for a quality, turn-key system. Good installers are out there.