10kw limit on home solar

[J3ster]

I'm moving to a new location and would like to take advantage of the opportunity to install solar. However, local electrical laws limit home/distributed solar to 10kw arrays. This seems small to me. And I know that it's relative to sun exposure and usage, but in general it seems low.

I'm considering this in relation to production during peak hours/ability to extract value from the system via net metering/credits.

Thoughts?

Also, I'm fairly new to the solar economy, but I've been a long time lurker.

[Mike90250]

10K is often the limit, home insurance uses that as a threshold, and state regulators/energy companies use that to determine household or commercial solar. Limit may shift if you have an EV.

[peakbagger]

Looks like you need to pick up a copy of Solar Power Your Home for Dummies, then start asking questions. 10 KW is a large system for most homes.

If you truly need more than 10 KW, you could consider a tracking array. You get more kilowatts hours (KWh) per killowatt (KW) of installed panel with a tracker but the initial cost is higher and typically runs afoul of HOA restrictions. If the difference between KWh and KW doesn't make sense than you really need to get educated before you start making bad decisions.

[shrowell]

Yes, I have a 9.9kW system, which I am hoping will generate over 1 MWh per month - that's not that small.

[khanh dam]

10kw of panels 30 to 36 panels usually takes up about 24x30' of surface area, or pretty much the entire southern part of a 1800 sq ft ranch home. Yes some McMansions with 3500 sq ft or bigger can easily use 20Kw of panels and energy, but for most people it is more than enough and its' better than nothing IMHO. spend money on more efficient heating cooling and insulation and you can make it work anyways.

[frankge]

Is the limit 10K or is that for a Tier 1 system? In Florida 10K is the Tier 1 Limit but you can go bigger just more insurance, fees, and inspection.

[ButchDeal]

Is the limit 10kw DC or AC? If AC then you can do a virtual tracking system and over panel a 10kw inverter ...

[Salts]

Is the limit 10kw DC or AC? If AC then you can do a virtual tracking system and over panel a 10kw inverter ...

That's a good question. My system is over-paneled by 20%.

Does the 10kw limit apply only to grid tied systems or the residence as a whole? Could you do 10kw grid tied and another 10kw into batteries?

[J.P.M.]

1.) What is your annual usage in kWh ? Average annual usage in the U.S. is ~~ 12,000 kWh/yr. +/-.

2.) As Peakbagger suggests, get the book and get informed.

3.) After the read, take what you learn and run PVWatts after reading and understanding the help-/info screens.

4.) Based on increased irradiance on an array, you might pick up an additional 20-30 % in annual production with a dual axis tracker, but I doubt most folks have the $$ necessary, the site requirements, the technical skills, much less the time or the patience to install and maintain such a system. Even if you know what you're doing, it will not be cost effective.

After some self education, you may find a 10 STC kW or smaller stationary system is adequate for your needs.

Get the book and get informed before you get taken to the cleaners by solar con men and peddlers. Your solar ignorance is making you a sitting duck in their sights. Buying PV in a smart way requires more information and involvement than buying a garage door opener.

Usually, money is better spent on conservation improvements before PV is added. Not as sexy, but the ROI is usually better on conservation stuff, at least initially, and any use reductions from the conservation efforts will mean more savings from the smaller array that's required to meet a smaller load.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

[Mike90250]

I think 10Kw is the average deciding point if the power is for a residence or commercial install. Few residences require more than 10Kw for parity, and few have spare capacity for larger arrays in their main panel. Insurance companies get into the factor too, if they think you are "making a profit" they will call it commercial and adjust your rates..

For off grid there is no limit that I know of, as long as it's inspected and building fines paid