New to Solar

[Rs12183]

Installed system a few days ago, waiting for inspection & PTO. They left it on and I been monitoring Production and Consumption, there no one home all day so we typically use about 7 kwh per day before install, I notice after installation my consumption has more than doubled

Yesterday Numbers:
Production = 18.3
Consumption = 15.7

SYSTEM:
Sunpower u series 400 x 13
Enphase IQ7HS x 13

So knowing that I only use around 7kwh before install would mean the system use around 11kwh to produce 18.3, that seems high to me. Again I'm new to Solar, are these numbers normal, do these systems use that much power to work?

[Mike 134]

Just tossing ideas at the wall.....see what might stick.
Where are you getting your KWH numbers from? Has the utility installed the correct meter for net metering? Solar in standby mode (at least mine) does not use any measurable energy. There will be some losses when running but you should have seen a decrease in usage not an increase.

[Rs12183]

I get my KWH from the utility, Mon - Fri it's usually the same for the past two years, no one is home during the day (8a-8p) see image attached. The installer told me I have the most current meter for net metering. I was thinking it might be some config with the inverter they will have to do after I get PTO, but I don't know to much about that end of it, I just hope there a fix b/c it seems its consuming most of the production



Screenshot_20230627_212936_Samsung Internet.jpg

[azdave]

They need to change some config settings to get the math correct and then you make sure the utility doesn't charge you for anything that was incorrect before the PTO is issued.

[jflorey2]

Installed system a few days ago, waiting for inspection & PTO. They left it on and I been monitoring Production and Consumption, there no one home all day so we typically use about 7 kwh per day before install, I notice after installation my consumption has more than doubled

They are likely billing you for your production. That happened to us before the PTO was approved; installer left the breaker on and we got a big bill.

[EnergyAlex]

Contact your utility provider, most keep a record of activities posted through your meter approximately every 30 minutes, they may be able to adjust your billing

[sdold]

Contact your utility provider, most keep a record of activities posted through your meter approximately every 30 minutes, they may be able to adjust your billing

Hi Alex, welcome to the forum.

[chrisski]

The inverter seems reasonably efficient, 15..7/18.3=85%, but I hope you post your resolution to the double power consumption.

[Ampster]

As mentioned earlier, the utilty may have to configure your meter or their accounting system so production is calculated correctly. In the meantime it is probably wise to turn off or set the system for zero export until you get your PTO. In my case with two different utilities in California they did not charge for generation when the breaker had been left on before PTO. That may not be the case with your power company.

[J.P.M.]

The inverter seems reasonably efficient, 15..7/18.3=85%, but I hope you post your resolution to the double power consumption.

To my experience, most inverters for residential systems operate at something above 95%+ efficiency.

OP: Read Jflorey2's post. My opinion is he's correctly described the key to where the excess "use" came from.
I'd wait for the PTO and see what happens.
If the problem persists or you're still confused, call the installer. They should have made you aware of what can happen if you operate the system before PTO.
That's part of what you pay for.