What is Your Monthly Maximum Minimum Solar Output

[Sharkbait]

When I first started researching solar for my home, I went to the following web site to calculate my annual, estimated yields:

PVWatts Calculator

The site turned out to very accurate based on my input, and my annual yields have turned out to be exactly as predicted.

 

[SageBrush]

It's a Dow product.

Now your world revolves around your roof.

Thanks. It took a lot of hunting to find anything resembling a price but I estimate $7/watt before tax credits. Sound about right ?

 

[Sharkbait]

Heavens! I installed my 6.6 kw system two years ago, on the ground, with a massive support structure certified for 140 mph winds, permitted and inspected by the city for less than $4/watt before tax credits and incentives. Do get multiple quotes and references. $7/watt is way too much IMO.

 

[SageBrush]

Heavens! I installed my 6.6 kw system two years ago, on the ground, with a massive support structure certified for 140 mph winds, permitted and inspected by the city for less than $4/watt before tax credits and incentives. Do get multiple quotes and references. $7/watt is way too much IMO.

BIPV

 

[Evbwcaer]

Worst month: 82.7kwh (Jan). Best month: 1,198kwh (July). Best day: 62.4kwh (4/22/15, just a few days away!) I have a 10.26kw system, 3 arrays, in Minneapolis, MN. About 2/3 capacity facing south and 1/3 west. 8.38mwh for my first 365 days.

 

[dhrivnak]

As one can see in the below graph my output can be as low as 14.5 KWr/day in January to 40 KWh/day in late April. The challenge is I need a lot more power in January than we do in April. I went from 28 panels initially to 33 after we purchased a Volt.

 

[dhrivnak]

If you have not voted yet look at the driving on sunshine thread Driving on Sunshine. There you can see the many people who have gone solar.

 

[FlatSix911]

Just a reminder, if you are considering solar panels purchase, read on. PG&E is not going to allow to switch you to E-6 rate plan after 5/30 (this sunday ). E-6 rate plan gives highest payout to solar owners. I just found it out from my installer. You can easily switch to that rate online before monday - I just did it today. Tomek

 

[FlatSix911]

If you are considering solar panels purchase, and live in Northern California read on.
PG&E is not going to allow customers to switch to time of use E-6 rate plan after 5/31/16.

• The E-6 rate plan gives highest payout to solar owners.
  
• Keep in mind that E-7 is already closed to new customers.
• The E-6 rate plan is usually best for low power usage customers.
• The EV plan is usually best for high power usage with no TOU tiers.
• You can easily switch to that rate online before the Monday deadline.

 

[miimura]

Just a reminder, if you are considering solar panels purchase, read on. PG&E is not going to allow to switch you to E-6 rate plan after 5/30 (this sunday ). E-6 rate plan gives highest payout to solar owners. I just found it out from my installer. You can easily switch to that rate online before monday - I just did it today. Tomek

Most solar installers are not used to the usage patterns of EV owners, so they think E-6 is the best. In my experience, if you charge an EV mostly at home, after 11pm, and don't use that much A/C or run things like pool pumps in the middle of the afternoon, you will come out ahead with Schedule EV over E-6. For example, my 2014 True-Up on E-6 (calculated all with Jan 2015 rates) would have been $990 while on the EV rate schedule it would have been $692. I was charging one EV at that time and I do not have A/C at all. My solar is only 4.32kW DC and I have some partial winter shading.