Couple questions about the new solar setup and LADWP.

[astroprojector]

Hello,

I am a customer of LADWP and have some question about how does solar generation.

The system was just installed and still needs to pass the inspection. The system is 10.200 DC kw (STC) / 9.619 DC kw (PTC) roof mounted PV system. Before the installation I already had a smart meter, but apparently after the inspection passes, LADWP will need to install different meter and another meter to for Net-Metering because it is 10.2 DC system.

I calculated that per day I use about 44 Kwh and the sytem should generate about 55-60 Kwh

One weekend I turned on the system to for an couple of hours to see if the counter on my current meter will start going back. I turned it on at the peak time between 12:00 and 2pm. During that time the system generated about 10Kw, however the counter on the meter did not decrease.

So, my questions are:

1. How does it works with LADWP? Does generated energy offsets my power usage and the excess goes to the grid or generated energy goes to the grid and then it is reconciled at the end of the period (net-metered)?

2. It is very hot here during Aug/Sep months and it looks like it will take several more weeks, for inspection and LADWP to come out and finish. What would happen if I turn the system on and let it run before and after the inspection and before the meters will be installed? Will it reduce my energy cost?

3. Does anyone know if LADWP planning to make any changes to net-metering?

I appreciate your help.

Thank you

[huge]

1. Yes
2. Why is it taking so long? Last month it took me 2 weeks total for the inspections, changing meter and PTO. Maybe your installer is dragging their feet? You can probably save on your usage, but you won't get any credit for electricity sent back.
3. No changes planned so far

[huge]

Until you change your meter, your usage comes from the solar and any excess is 'lost' to ladwp.

[astroprojector]

Sorry, but can you clarify to which one "Yes" applies?

I really do not care about credit so far, just want to reduce the cost for this billing period.

I don't think the installer dragging their feet. The have to drive couple hours each to my place, and I am sure they want to finish as soon as possible. The inspection already happened one time and there were some correction that needed to made. It looks like the second inspection will sometime next week.

[DanKegel]

I have LADWP, and my impression (not quite sure) is that your usage is tallied up separately for high peak (1pm-5pm?), low peak (10am-1pm, 5pm-8pm), and base (8pm-10am), and net metering is done separately for each of those three time periods. Any excess is credited in dollars to your "NEM bank", which is reset once a year to zero without compensation. I think.
Does that help?

Here's a screenshot of my bill showing what it looks like
(and showing that I still haven't gotten around to installing A/C so production is rather overkill for my current usage).

ladwp.png

[huge]

Thanks Dan. This is great. So essentially we are on TOU . This could hurt me with my EV charging and AC usage

[astroprojector]

I have LADWP, and my impression (not quite sure) is that your usage is tallied up separately for high peak (1pm-5pm?), low peak (10am-1pm, 5pm-8pm), and base (8pm-10am), and net metering is done separately for each of those three time periods. Any excess is credited in dollars to your "NEM bank", which is reset once a year to zero without compensation. I think.
Does that help?

Here's a screenshot of my bill showing what it looks like
(and showing that I still haven't gotten around to installing A/C so production is rather overkill for my current usage).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n326322[/ATTACH]

The High/Low peak applies for customers who opted to go the Time of Use metering system. As far as I know it is not mandatory for the LADWP solar customers to switch yet. Starting next year all new solar customers will be automatically switched to the Time Of Use metering. I am not using the Time of Use system.

[DanKegel]

I thought so, too, but they just put me on TOU without asking when I got my system this year (January?).

My other system from 8 years ago is still on non-TOU.

[astroprojector]

I thought so, too, but they just put me on TOU without asking when I got my system this year (January?).

My other system from 8 years ago is still on non-TOU.

Not sure about that. I will have to see what they do with me.

[huge]

Dan, I just got my first statement. Their billing is very confusing and doesn't add up. Even though they break it down like a TOU, they all have the same value. It's a big mess, but they just total everything up and just go by the total usage, so we're not on TOU. It's not so apparent for you since you bank more than you use.