Waiting for PTO feels like forever - couple of questions not related to PTO

[TheEmrys]

Well, its only been 2 weeks since I passed inspection. But I am so anxious to get my system up and running. I ran it one day when I was home and it was about 80 degrees. A/C kicked on a lot, we did a couple of loads of dishes, a ton of laundry. And I produced 3 times what I used. Really exciting. Since then, its been turned off. I do have one of the old school meters with the spinning disk, so I shouldn't have to pay for a couple of days of electricity. But I am just so ready to turn it on and then watch my stupid Enphase app like crazy to see where I am at.

For those of you with an EV, how much draw do you see added with a 240v outlet? I already have a 240v outlet in my garage, and now I am heavily considering dipping into something like a Nissan Leaf for running around town in. After selling a car and the rebate, the price is really pretty affordable. And in Colorado, there is a 1:1 credit for kwh produced. But with an 8.4kwh system, does adding an EV make sense? Xcel Energy in Colorado is moving to ToU billing. Summer tiers will be:
7pm-1pm - $.10/kwh
1pm-3pm - $.19/kwh
3pm-7pm - $.27/kwh

It would make sense to charge at night, as there should be enough surplus from the day to charge, and if there isn't, its at the lowest possible price, right? I would love to be energy neutral on this, for the most part. I know that in very hot months, I may have to pay a bit. But, is it possible to charge the car for free?

Next, what would it look like to set the car up as an emergency battery? I know a grid disconnect would be needed. But between solar and the car, were we to have a power outage in Winter, we could get along quite well, I think. Anyone do this?

[Ampster]

....

For those of you with an EV, how much draw do you see added with a 240v outlet? .....

I have a 50 Amp receptacle but rarely have a need to charge at more than 20 Amps (4800 Watts). That can easily add 150 miles of range overnight. One on my cars consumes a kWh of energy for every four miles driven. Your mileage may vary.
I can adjust the charging rate from my phone. In some cases it may depend on what comes with the car or what charging station you purchase.

[J.P.M.]

I have a 50 Amp receptacle but rarely have a need to charge at more than 20 Amps (4800 kW). That can easily add 150 miles of range overnight. One on my cars consumes a kWh of energy for every four miles driven. Your mileage may vary.
I can adjust the charging rate from my phone. In some cases it may depend on what comes with the car or what charging station you purchase.

You sure about that 4800 kW ? I know it's wrong but if the OP thinks (s)he's paying between 10 and 27 dollars per kWh for electrical energy, their technical sophistication (or, better said/written their lack of it) may be such that based on what you write they'd be looking for a 4800 kW charger.

[TheEmrys]

You sure about that 4800 kW ? I know it's wrong but if the OP thinks (s)he's paying between 10 and 27 dollars per kWh for electrical energy, their technical sophistication (or, better said/written their lack of it) may be such that based on what you write they'd be looking for a 4800 kW charger.

Sorry for the confusion, its $.10, $,19, and $.27/kwh.

[Ampster]

.........a 4800 kW charger.

I corrected my post to read 4800 Watts but to be clear I never referred to it as a charger. The charger is in the car and it is unusual for a car to have one that can charge at more that 48 Amps (11 kiloWatts). As I also mentioned, I rarely find a need to charge at more than 20 Amps even though my onboard charger can handle 32 Amps.
The correct term for the device which typically comes with an EV to facilitate charging is an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment) or simply a charging station. The ones provided with most EVs are typically matched in capacity with the capacity of the onboard charger. I hope that helps clarify the terminology for TheEmrys .

[TheEmrys]

I spoke with Xcel Energy and it turns out my installer turned in the wrong paperwork for them. After 3 weeks, they are going to now order my new meter. So bummed. But, after looking at all the incentives, I may just end up with an EV in the very near future, so that is fun.

[Ampster]

..... But, after looking at all the incentives, I may just end up with an EV in the very near future, so that is fun.

When you are shopping for EVs you can ask them if a charging station (EVSE) is included and and the Amperage of the Onboard charger. That will inform your decision about what size circuit to install. FYI, charging circuits are considered continous loads so a 40 Amp charger would need a 50 Amp circuit. The rule is a continous load can be no more than 80% of the circuit breaker protecting that circuit.
Have fun shopping. There are lots of good choices out there.

[TheEmrys]

When you are shopping for EVs you can ask them if a charging station (EVSE) is included and and the Amperage of the Onboard charger. That will inform your decision about what size circuit to install. FYI, charging circuits are considered continous loads so a 40 Amp charger would need a 50 Amp circuit. The rule is a continous load can be no more than 80% of the circuit breaker protecting that circuit.
Have fun shopping. There are lots of good choices out there.

I already have a 240/50amp outlet in my garage. The prior owner put it in as he wanted a very robust woodworking shop.

[Will792]

Calculation of additional load by EV charging is rather trivial, around 0.25 KWh per mile of driving, or 1 KWh per 4 miles. If you use average US annual driving 12K it translates to 3MWh. Obviously most likely your driving is different from US average so total would be different as well.

[Ampster]

I already have a 240/50amp outlet in my garage. The prior owner put it in as he wanted a very robust woodworking shop.

Great, you are all set. My earlier comment meant there are lots of EV choices. Buying a charging station and/or plugging in the one that comes with the car is a simple task. Soon you will see how easy it is and what a waste of personal time and money going to a gasoline station can be.

[TheEmrys]

I got PTO from my contractor, nothing from my energy company, and no new meter (its an old disk spinner). I suspect, that since my contractor messed up my paperwork with my utility, they worked something out to let me run my solar. Whatever is really going on, I turned on my solar, and it is fabulous. Currently producing about 16kwh more than I am using. My production yesterday, a nice sunny day, no clouds, and the temperature never got above 76F. Generated 53wkh, had the AC on a bit. But really liking having my meter spin backwards.

[Ampster]

I got PTO from my contractor, nothing from my energy company, and no new meter (its an old disk spinner). I suspect, that since my contractor messed up my paperwork with my utility, they worked something out to let me run my solar. Whatever is really going on, I turned on my solar, and it is fabulous. Currently producing about 16kwh more than I am using. My production yesterday, a nice sunny day, no clouds, and the temperature never got above 76F. Generated 53wkh, had the AC on a bit. But really liking having my meter spin backwards.

Glad it worked out. Since you have a rotating disc I think it mechanically nets out generation. That probably means you are not on a Time of Use rate. technically only the power company can issue the PTO and it is usually in the form of an email or letter.

[TheEmrys]

Yeah, I am starting to think they sent the email to the wrong person. My only real concern is that whoever comes out to swap out my meter won't turn off the solar when he turns off the house power.

[Ampster]

Yeah, I am starting to think they sent the email to the wrong person. My only real concern is that whoever comes out to swap out my meter won't turn off the solar when he turns off the house power.

My experience is the utility workers rarely go beyond the meter. Your solar and house loads are all behind the meter.

[SunEagle]

My experience is the utility workers rarely go beyond the meter. Your solar and house loads are all behind the meter.

Yeah but if the system is Grid Tied then when the meter is swapped out the panels will stop producing until the inverter sees the grid again. Just thought I would throw that in.