"Re-deployed" solar panels (Tesla) and Tesla tiles

[solarix]

Not that my local utility enforces it, but many utilities require only new equipment to be used in their interconnect agreements for grid-tied solar installs...

[DiddlyD]

I preferred a different approach. I shopped around to find the best manufacturer of solar panels with a strong brand backround like Panasonic I felt would be a sound investment and researched the panel type then found out who the manufacturer certifies to install it locally. I have a 25 year warrantee on my panels and 25 on the inverter. Good panels will give you not only better performance but longevity. Ratings on their top panel is parallel to Sun Powers top panel. I was also afraid these other solar companies can belly up and your out in the cold much like what happened to Sun Run and no telling where they get their panels from and or performance ratings, warrantees, etc. Not sure of Tesla's future either.

The certified installers did an excellent job and the whole process went great. I did tell them where "I" wanted the panels placed based on need for afternoon facing sun to generate as much power to support being off grid to eliminate the demand rate surcharge I'm on. Each person will have different requirements. There's a house by me just like mine with roof facing with panels on the south side which you might think is ideal but they have a two story home south of them shading their roof/panels during the day and I'm sure that can't give them the best performance. The guy that came out to my house to figure out my design wanted to do the same thing to me and put 8 panels on my east/south side but I also have a two story on that side so I told him I wanted them all on my west facing roof where I absolutely no obstructions from the sun which my utility co says actually produces more electricity since we have long afternoon sunny summer days in AZ. He gave me the usual song and dance that he's been doing this for years but I told him that's where I wanted them (all 26) which was more panels than I calculated I needed based on my bills and home size but I figured the extra panels, if approved by my utility co, would provide added insurance and for selling purposes it's better to go bigger than my usage demands anyway.

Take your time and learn all that you can about the process pros and cons before making the leap and you will make better decisions and have better results. I looked at other roofs and saw conduit laying across the roofing and it looked tacky. I made sure I could run my lines down into my attic area out the side to the inverter very clean look. I also had the inverter installed in my backyard behind a fence for protection. Google the hell out of everything and go to school. One last recommendation I can offer is I found buying (finance it) is a better way to go as you get the Federal tax credit which is substantial which you can put towards the purchase and then pay it off like a car payment in a few years. Shoot my first bill from my electric co was just 25.00 and not even a whole month of solar yet where it was paying 185.00 month before (annual average payment option); now I can use that money to payoff the solar system in a few years (don't drag it out for 20 years on a purchase, it's as bad as leasing you don't really see much if any savings).

[Ampster]

For that person that thinks you can't be on a string inverter and also have optimizers etc. please read this: Like micro-inverters, power optimizers are located at each panel, usually integrated into the panels themselves. However, instead of converting the DC electricity to AC electricity at the panel site, they condition the DC electricity and send it to a string inverter. Their also suppose to help solar panels when the temps get hotter boost performance and that's important in AZ.........

I am also looking into using optimizers on a string inverter but will post a separate topic..

[DiddlyD]

Good advice thank you! I also discovered if I took out the quote marks I was able to paste and be saved.

[jflorey2]

Like micro-inverters, power optimizers are located at each panel, usually integrated into the panels themselves. However, instead of converting the DC electricity to AC electricity at the panel site, they

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[DiddlyD]

For that person that thinks you can't be on a string inverter and also have optimizers etc. please read this: Like micro-inverters, power optimizers are located at each panel, usually integrated into the panels themselves. However, instead of converting the DC electricity to AC electricity at the panel site, they condition the DC electricity and send it to a string inverter. Their also suppose to help solar panels when the temps get hotter boost performance and that's important in AZ.

Also, I am on what is called a demand rate plan so between 3-8pm I want to be on solar and not on the grid so the date I get from Solar Edge via the optimizers gives me real time info hourly, day, week and month plus history on self consumption, export and import from the grid which I am paid more than I am charged for KWH's. This information will help me tailor my usage, program my thermostat and pool pump to maximize the benefits of being on solar. I find it an invaluable tool.

Some equipment might not work with them depending on manufacturer and age of panels.

[J.P.M.]

Optimizers can help out with difficult shade situations. But I have over 2.5 million operational panel
hours here with ZERO failures, how good a record do optimizers have? Panels are more likely to
lose a section than totally fail, which will only slightly affect the output of a string, meanwhile other
strings are unaffected. If even a section of a panel failed, let alone a whole string, I certainly would
very soon discover it. I have 2 inverters which almost perfectly match in good sun, if they do not my
clamp on ammeter and voltmeter soon locate the problem. Bruce Roe

All that plus, to my experience anyway:
1.) Most folks seem to lose interest in their array's output and operation shortly after installation.
2.) Even if they look at their output, most of those folks are clueless about what it means.
3.) In the meantime, for non shade impacted arrays, to the degree their data reporting capabilities are ignored/wasted, all the extra electronics which are mostly on a roof, be they optimizers or micros are doing little more than creating more opportunities for failure. Maybe I'm off the mark here, but maybe as an anecdotally indication, that increased problem occurrence may be evidenced around here by what seems to be an inordinate number of posts and threads particularly related to optimizer problems.

The way I was taught and learned/confirmed by experience, KISS is a good way to reduce problems. More stuff than essential for safe and cost effective operation that has a temp. sensitive nature and operating in a hot/cold, somewhat severe environment such as a roof doesn't seem to be following that principle.

[bcroe]

Mine is on a string with optimizers. The optimizers enhance the individual panels which allows you to monitor each panels generation separately. If you only have an inverter alone on a string, if one panel falls the whole system shuts down and you have no production where as not true if you have the optimizers which allows each panel to be independent.

Optimizers can help out with difficult shade situations. But I have over 2.5 million operational panel
hours here with ZERO failures, how good a record do optimizers have? Panels are more likely to
lose a section than totally fail, which will only slightly affect the output of a string, meanwhile other
strings are unaffected. If even a section of a panel failed, let alone a whole string, I certainly would
very soon discover it. I have 2 inverters which almost perfectly match in good sun, if they do not my
clamp on ammeter and voltmeter soon locate the problem. Bruce Roe

[solar pete]

Mine is on a string with optimizers. The optimizers enhance the individual panels which allows you to monitor each panels generation separately. If you only have an inverter alone on a string, if one panel falls the whole system shuts down and you have no production where as not true if you have the optimizers which allows each panel to be independent. Those that didn't understand that and .

Hi DiddlyD, this bit you wrote .....well ....its just plain wrong in reality. Read what Mike wrote above, while its true its possible to take down a string entirely, it wont be a bit of shade on one panel that takes down a string. Look its fine to go optimisers if you want to and there is a valid argument if shade is an issue but having been in the solar biz for many a year now I will always and everytime and twice on Sundays go with a nice ol String inverter, sittin in the shade, with no optimisers to go wrong and need replacing. End of rant

[SunEagle]

Very true. Call me a fool and a Tesla Fanboy if you like. I spent more on my Tesla than I spent on my first home. I have obtained tremendous value and driven 66,000 miles in the past 30 months and I have never felt safer. At the end of a 400 mile journey I am more relaxed than in any other car I have driven. Some of that is because of the adaptive cruise control and auto pilot. I am 74 and have to pee every 100 miles so stopping to charge is not inconvenient, and it gives me a chance to stretch and rest my eyes. I also have a low cost of funds so as J.P.M. says, lots is a relative term. Utilitarian is the term I would use instead of "Fancy". Your mileage may vary.

I am happy a Tesla has been working out for you.

Unfortunately they are above my financial threshold for a car but I am hoping other manufacturers will create new EV's that will meet my sticker price limit.

[DiddlyD]

Even though I will ask, I assume a competent installer knows how to, correct?

Mine is on a string with optimizers. The optimizers enhance the individual panels which allows you to monitor each panels generation separately. If you only have an inverter alone on a string, if one panel falls the whole system shuts down and you have no production where as not true if you have the optimizers which allows each panel to be independent. Those that didn't understand that and or elected not pay for that upgrade maybe be minimizing their importance. So do your homework and verify before you make your own informed decision. Also don't go with these big Solar outfits that may come and go all over the US like Sun City did and Tusla has all but shut down. I seriously recommend figuring out the quality solar panel you want to install and contact the manufacture for a reputable installer in your region.

[Ampster]

Well, I tend to agree with you, but the word "lots" is a relative term, as is the adjective "fancy".

Very true. Call me a fool and a Tesla Fanboy if you like. I spent more on my Tesla than I spent on my first home. I have obtained tremendous value and driven 66,000 miles in the past 30 months and I have never felt safer. At the end of a 400 mile journey I am more relaxed than in any other car I have driven. Some of that is because of the adaptive cruise control and auto pilot. I am 74 and have to pee every 100 miles so stopping to charge is not inconvenient, and it gives me a chance to stretch and rest my eyes. I also have a low cost of funds so as J.P.M. says, lots is a relative term. Utilitarian is the term I would use instead of "Fancy". Your mileage may vary.

[Mike90250]

Even though I will ask, I assume a competent installer knows how to, correct?

competent installers make mistakes. Once in a while, a car leaves a service garage and a wheel without any lug nuts, falls off. They made a mistake. so I always make "qualified" statements.

[Vitt]

With a properly designed string inverter system....

Even though I will ask, I assume a competent installer knows how to, correct?

[Mike90250]

..... I have a Solar Edge inverter with optimizer which is a must in my opinion so one panel doesn't cause the whole system to under perform and allows you to monitory your system online in real time too.......

With a properly designed string inverter system, loosing one panel, only causes the loss of that panel's production, exactly the same thing that happens with optimizers.

At some point, you can have enough failed panels that the inverter shuts down, with either system

With either system, by monitoring the daily performance, you can easily detect a module failure - by keeping a record of the DC input voltage to the inverter.