PowerWall with Enphase microinverters

There is a long thread on SGIP. TLDR; Customers have been successful in getting Tesla to apply for SGIP "Small residential energy storage" (including for for step 2). I don't believe anyone has actually gotten a check yet from SGIP. Tesla is way over subscribed for SGIP "Small residential energy storage".

I don't have Enphase inverters.

arnold

 

Yep, I have 12 panels with S270s and 24 panels with M250s along with one PW2 installed.

 

I have 20 Solarworld 285W panels with 20 Enphase M250 microinverters. They work with the two Tesla Powerwalls installed.

I am on a holding pattern regarding SGIP. Jumped the gun with installation, and may still qualify. I am OK if I do not qualify.

Yes, you can just use one Powerwall if you are OK having circuits with loads 30A and greater excluded from the backup. From what you have stated, it looks like you do not have any loads that are 30A or greater. So you'll be fine.

Another consideration is the amount of backup power you'll need/want to cover your overnight use until solar can charge your batteries the following morning. Is one battery enough given a set reserve level?

 

Also, you have to take into consideration the amount you can generate to recharge the PW2 - you don't mention the amount of power your household comsumes in a day (and night). It is important to understand that before buying more than one - you can always get one now and add another later if you see the use case. I'm averaging about AUD100 per month back from my retailer - but then there is a difference in Aus and USA electricity costs and feed in tariff amounts.

 

I have 26 LG 355 watt Neon R panels with Enphase IQ6+ micro-inverters feeding 2 Powerwall 2s and the grid. I am in SCE territory and qualified for SGIP Tier 1. I used Swell Energy and their subcontractor Asgard Solar for the installation and SGIP paperwork. System works fine together.

 

I have 20 LG NeON2 LG315N1CG4 315W Solar Panels with 20 Enphase S280 Microinverters (6.3 kW) installed in April 2016. I have two Tesla 2 Powerwalls.

I've also replaced all lights with LEDs and replaced a Panasonic plasma 65" HDTV with an LG OLED 65" 4K UHDTV. I'm running the PWs in Self-powered mode. With my reserve set at 25% I'm running 100% self-powered on solar and batteries on sunny days. I tried a 45% reserve but started pulling from the grid before the solar kicked in. Analyzing my PVOutput data, I could probably go up to 35-40% reserve. I've been hitting 100% on the battery around 1:30-2:00 PM and then the solar starts feeding back into the grid.

Today is actually my true-up day and I have $860.23 of credits. I've been way overproducing because the pool got drained in June 2016 for repairs and renovation but we haven't been able to get around to having it done, so the pump has been offline since then. The pump was replaced with a multi-speed high-efficiency pump when the solar was installed.

 

The reason I was asking, I don't know if you generate enough to feed the house and re-charge one battery (let alone two). If you can, it would be boarder line from the numbers I'm seeing. From what I've been seeing on this and other forums, the US has some strange regulations... you need to check if you can also charge from the grid during off-peak times if your solar can't re-charge the PW2.

 

Yes, but does that apply when you get a PW2? Are you looking to get that gov subsidy that restricts the usage of it? Good luck if it does.

 

You are grandathered on Net Metering but in 2019 your rate choices will be limited to Time of Use rates. That may change your economics.

 

Changing lights to LED, definitely, however, if you changed out multiple tv's, a laptop, refrigerator, washer, and dishwasher just to make them more energy efficient, you are NEVER recouping that cost, EVER, not even 1/4 of it. Estimating that entire cost to be $5,500 conservatively (very conservative) and doubled your yearly SCE to $120 (you won't ever see that) and it will take 45 years to pay for itself. Absolutely replace with those options when needed, however if you did to save energy, you just largely increased your total cost of ownership

 

It only increases cost of ownership if they end up needing to buy an an extra appliance over their lifetime due to the early replacement.
Slightly morbid, but if they were going to have to replace the TV at some point (or multiple points) and when they die, the TV has 1 year of life left vs 5 years, they saved the 4 years of less power usage. (Ignoring cost of money and energy advancements in those 4 years which are much less than purchase cost).

Edit: Totally agree in the 'green' full kitchen remodel. If you want to be green, keep using the same counters and cabinets.

 

Please note, although you can use power from the grid at any time for home use, the Tesla Powerwall CAN NOT charge with grid power when solar is installed. Per the Tesla FAQ below: