Thanks in advance to all who respond!
We currently have two PV systems on our roof. The original installation was in 2011. It consists of 14x185 watt Suntech panels with a Sunny Boy 3000 string inverter in our garage.
After we purchased our Model S in 2014, we added 7x270 watt (unsure of the American manufacturer) panels with micro inverters.
I have been mulling whether or not to increase our PV generation because we bought our Model 3 in January, and we will soon be dragged kicking and screaming into TOU metering. Those of you familiar with the Central Valley realize that we have very hot summers. In fact, we are in the midst of I-don't-know-how-many consecutive days >100 degrees. It seems like close to 15, with no end in sight. But I digress.
The 14x185 panels get varying amounts of shade from about 3:00 onwards starting around the autumnal equinox. Generation drops from ~1,200 watts to ~350-400 watts in about thirty minutes due to the shading and series-wired panels going into the inverter. I estimate that we lose a good 2.5kWh per day come the first day of fall because of shading.
A local solar company suggested that they replace the string inverter (he said that after seven years they begin to lose a lot of efficiency) with micro inverters for the 14 panels. The micro inverters would be more efficient in and of themselves, plus they would also generate more electricity because there would no longer be the limitations inherent with installation in series.
I ask: Is this a sensible approach? Are there better options out there?
Thanks much again!
We currently have two PV systems on our roof. The original installation was in 2011. It consists of 14x185 watt Suntech panels with a Sunny Boy 3000 string inverter in our garage.
After we purchased our Model S in 2014, we added 7x270 watt (unsure of the American manufacturer) panels with micro inverters.
I have been mulling whether or not to increase our PV generation because we bought our Model 3 in January, and we will soon be dragged kicking and screaming into TOU metering. Those of you familiar with the Central Valley realize that we have very hot summers. In fact, we are in the midst of I-don't-know-how-many consecutive days >100 degrees. It seems like close to 15, with no end in sight. But I digress.
The 14x185 panels get varying amounts of shade from about 3:00 onwards starting around the autumnal equinox. Generation drops from ~1,200 watts to ~350-400 watts in about thirty minutes due to the shading and series-wired panels going into the inverter. I estimate that we lose a good 2.5kWh per day come the first day of fall because of shading.
A local solar company suggested that they replace the string inverter (he said that after seven years they begin to lose a lot of efficiency) with micro inverters for the 14 panels. The micro inverters would be more efficient in and of themselves, plus they would also generate more electricity because there would no longer be the limitations inherent with installation in series.
I ask: Is this a sensible approach? Are there better options out there?
Thanks much again!