First day of my 12.24 kW install!

[SoCal Dave]

They also mounted the inverter. Pretty far from the gas main.

The Inverter is an SE10000H which has a max output of 10kWac. That means for my 12.24kW system there will be some clipping, correct?

 

[bkp_duke]

Given the layout of your system (both sides of the roof for panels), there probably is not an orientation of the sun that could cause you to see that full 12 kw DC production. Clipping I would bet is unlikely, and probably why they chose the 10kw inverter.

 

[BrettS]

The Inverter is an SE10000H which has a max output of 10kWac. That means for my 12.24kW system there will be some clipping, correct?

Maybe a little on really sunny days, but I suspect it will be very minimal. I have a 15.12kW system with two 7.6kW inverters. On a cloud free day at peak times I’ll generate about 12kW-13kW of power. On partly cloudy days it can get over that with the cloud edge effect (I even saw it hit 15.3kW once) but the cloud edge effect is short lived when it happens.

In your case I don’t think you’ll really see much clipping. The fact that you have panels facing different directions will also help to minimize your clipping because it’s unlikely that all your panels will be producing their max output at the same time.

 

[holeydonut]

A DC:AC ratio of 1.22 is fine; your real-world clipping losses will be very small and you will have saved money without over-sizing the inverter.

But, you should keep an eye on things with the app to make sure you're not experiencing significant clipping once it's all set up.

Article to read if you're bored:
What DC to AC inverter load ratio is ideal for your application?).

 

[njhtran]

On partly cloudy days it can get over that with the cloud edge effect (I even saw it hit 15.3kW once) but the cloud edge effect is short lived when it happens.

isn't it diff in SoCal though? We get nothing but sunshine all day long. This weekend got up to 112F where i'm at.

 

[SoCal Dave]

isn't it diff in SoCal though? We get nothing but sunshine all day long. This weekend got up to 112F where i'm at.

I remember once seeing a cloud in SoCal. We all gawked at it for several hours wondering what it was. Finally, someone on vacation from Florida, told us it was a cloud. He had to repeat the word slowly to us, "C-L-O-U-D" for us to finally understand what he was saying. Glad I've never seen another one of those since.

 

[bkp_duke]

I remember once seeing a cloud in SoCal. We all gawked at it for several hours wondering what it was. Finally, someone on vacation from Florida, told us it was a cloud. He had to repeat the word slowly to us, "C-L-O-U-D" for us to finally understand what he was saying. Glad I've never seen another one of those since.

You must not live in SoCal during "May Grey" and "June Gloom".

 

[SoCal Dave]

You must not live in SoCal during "May Grey" and "June Gloom".

Shhhhh, you are ruining the illusion that it is perfect here in SoCal all the time!

 

[SoCal Dave]

You're welcome. Also something to note - I just had my city inspection today and it did not pass because the installers forgot to leave some sort of documentation that the city inspector required, I forgot the name of it. A "build card" or "system card" or something like that. Just make sure you ask them about that before they leave.

Are you referring to the Building Inspection Job Card?

Before work is started, it is supposed to be posted on the job site in conspicuous view. However, I haven't seen one for my solar. The roofing company taped it to the corner of my building when they replaced my roof a few weeks ago.

 

[njhtran]

Are you referring to the Building Inspection Job Card?

Before work is started, it is supposed to be posted on the job site in conspicuous view. However, I haven't seen one for my solar. The roofing company taped it to the corner of my building when they replaced my roof a few weeks ago.

It might be it. I'll find out tomorrow when they re-inspect.

 

[GHTech]

Are you referring to the Building Inspection Job Card?

Before work is started, it is supposed to be posted on the job site in conspicuous view. However, I haven't seen one for my solar. The roofing company taped it to the corner of my building when they replaced my roof a few weeks ago.

View attachment 572115

Hi,

Did you place the order for the solar before the re-roof was done? If so, did Tesla wait till it was complete, before scheduling you for your solar install? Did they wait for the permit to be approved before scheduling?

Sorry for all the questions. My permit is at LADBS. The removal of the old panels are at the end of this week. My re-roof is scheduled for next week. Looks like I am not scheduled yet. I don't want to be without solar for too long.

Regards,

GHTech

 

[nwdiver]

That makes me feel a bit better. But, it does speak to another item with the lack of communication from Tesla prior to the install.

communication costs $$$... I think Tesla is trying to cut every $ they can....

 

[SoCal Dave]

I was cleaning the pool and noticed the panels aren't level. A good 3" difference. I'll ask them to address this tomorrow.

 

[SoCal Dave]

Hi,

Did you place the order for the solar before the re-roof was done? If so, did Tesla wait till it was complete, before scheduling you for your solar install? Did they wait for the permit to be approved before scheduling?

Sorry for all the questions. My permit is at LADBS. The removal of the old panels are at the end of this week. My re-roof is scheduled for next week. Looks like I am not scheduled yet. I don't want to be without solar for too long.

Regards,

GHTech

No worries with the questions

Yes, I ordered the solar before the re-roof was started. When the Tesla guy came out for the site visit, I told him I was getting a re-roof. They then asked me to provide photos of the completed roof and inspection card. The Solar Permit was done in parallel to the re-roof I believe. Once the permit was approved they scheduled the job.

Approx Timeline:
6/29 - Signed up on Tesla's website
7/6 - Site visit
7/13 - 7/18 - Re-roof
7/26 - Permit approved
7/27 - Earliest possible install (had to wait as I had tree trimmers coming)
8/3 - Solar install start (this date didn't show available online, but the scheduler offered it to me when she called)

 

[GHTech]

No worries with the questions

Yes, I ordered the solar before the re-roof was started. When the Tesla guy came out for the site visit, I told him I was getting a re-roof. They then asked me to provide photos of the completed roof and inspection card. The Solar Permit was done in parallel to the re-roof I believe. Once the permit was approved they scheduled the job.

Approx Timeline:
6/29 - Signed up on Tesla's website
7/6 - Site visit
7/13 - 7/18 - Re-roof
7/26 - Permit approved
7/27 - Earliest possible install (had to wait as I had tree trimmers coming)
8/3 - Solar install start (this date didn't show available online, but the scheduler offered it to me when she called)

Thank you for the timeline. That is really quick install date. I wonder if that is the norm for the area. LADBS did a "corrections issued" on 7/21. According to Tesla the corrections were made and sent back on 7/30. No idea what the corrections were.

 

[SoCal Dave]

Thank you for the timeline. That is really quick install date. I wonder if that is the norm for the area. LADBS did a "corrections issued" on 7/21. According to Tesla the corrections were made and sent back on 7/30. No idea what the corrections were.

I'm in Riverside County. Everyone I've talked to throughout this process has talked about Tesla having lots of installation capacity. I assume there aren't as many people doing solar installs in the middle of a pandemic - especially after the drop from the 30% tax credit.

 

[GHTech]

I'm in Riverside County. Everyone I've talked to throughout this process has talked about Tesla having lots of installation capacity. I assume there aren't as many people doing solar installs in the middle of a pandemic - especially after the drop from the 30% tax credit.

Thank you for the info.

 

[holeydonut]

@SoCal Dave It also looks like you have a fancy tile roof; and the tiles don't seem to be a big deal affecting the install. I guess they're using the Zep tile hooks? Do they need to grind/notch your tiles to get the hooks to fit?

Edit: nm I just saw the comment that the panels aren't level with the ridge line of your roof. I guess if they used tile hooks something is amiss since the hooks would follow the tile courses without that funny crookedness you spotted.

 

[BrettS]

I was cleaning the pool and noticed the panels aren't level. A good 3" difference. I'll ask them to address this tomorrow.

Maybe it just doesn’t show up in the photo well, but are you sure they are unlevel? Looking at the front of the panels it looks like there may be some unlevelness from one side to the other. But the sides and back of the panels look very straight as compared to the tiles on the roof. Is it possible that the roof or the tiles in the front aren’t perfectly straight but the panels are?

 

[ICUDoc]

Look almost perfectly level to me- check where the front edges overlie the tiles projected behind them...