Recent content by SoCal Dave

You can start a fire with water in a plastic bag shaped into a sphere. However, the volume is quiet large and the sphere is moved a few inches away to get the correct focal length. A drop of water sitting on a panel is very small, likely the ambient temperature is going to be cooler, the sun...

Glad the rain is here. My panels needed a rinse :)

That is really strange.

Interesting. I do have allergies, but we are pretty good about putting fans in the windows at night. Does it seem to pull in more dust than using fans in windows?

Your house usage doesn't match these blips?

I don't have a whole house fan. It is on my todo list now that it is cooling down as I didn't want to climb into the attic in 100+ degree weather ;)

It is part of a 3 pond system with streams between them. There is a lot of suspended water where if the pump is shut off the bottom pond overflows. It is also good for the water quality and the fish to have the constant flow. I do have a second pump which drives waterfalls. I've been thinking...

Surprisingly, I've moved away from constantly checking my solar production multiple times a day to checking maybe once a week. In total it has generated 3.5mWh since it was turned on in August. I seem a long way from the yearly 18.7 mWh forecasted by Tesla. Hopefully the spring and summer will...

My flat roof is on top of a 2 story addition and the panels are pretty far from edges so I can't see them from the ground. I'd expect you will be able to see them on your house as it will be lower and they will need to be installed closer to the edges due to space constraints. They are probably...

It is sad to see the continued reduction in solar production. Can't wait for after the new year when it will go in the opposite direction.

I just tried calling Tesla and requesting a Solar Edge Account and she said she can't do that. Will try again in a few days.

Potentially. Some meters will count any electricity flowing through regardless of direction. Also, the utility company could fine you. However, the only report I've seen has been a third-hand report of a $5,000 fine. I haven't found anything to actually confirm if utilities still are fining...

PVC Schedule 80 is allowed where it can be subject to physical damage, so that is fine. Just usually looks crappy if ran distances especially horizontal.

Interesting. The code doesn't actually define what subject to physical damage is. But if at 4' in a garage isn't "subject to physical damage" I don't know what is. Know if your inspectors allow running Romex along your wall in the garage?

I'm surprised they ran exposed flex for your inverter. I would never run flex out in the open like that. Flex isn't allowed where it is "subject to physical damage." It will be interesting to hear what your electrical inspector says. Around here that wouldn't pass.