What's the max generation you've seen for a 16.2kWh system at any given time?

[willow_hiller]

I've been checking some addresses for friends on Tesla's site and the production estimates seem really really low? Has anyone else noticed this? I produce an average of 26kWh/day in Philadelphia from my 6.6kw(5kw inverter) array and the Tesla site is telling me a 12+kW array out in the suburbs would only produce 34-44 kWh/day?

Does that seem right to you folks? Would be interested in some tests of your own addresses if you already have solar and know your annual production.

About a month ago, someone on Reddit noticed that they dramatically cut back their estimates for some reason: Recent website recommendation changes : TeslaSolar

I don't think they're very accurate, any more.

 

[SoCal Dave]

We also had a drunken chat about how much extra production I might be getting from the undersized inverter producing "better" on lower kW days. Doesn't matter really, just bothers me.

It depends on the inverter. For my 10kW SolarEdge, it gets basically the same efficiency once it goes above 2.5kW.

https://www.solaredge.com/sites/default/files/application_note_solaredge_inverters_efficiency.pdf

While others, like the 6kW SolarEdge looks to be most efficient at about 2.0kW and loses efficiency as it gets higher.

 

[TheTalkingMule]

About a month ago, someone on Reddit noticed that they dramatically cut back their estimates for some reason: Recent website recommendation changes : TeslaSolar

I don't think they're very accurate, any more.

Not great IMO. The payback period it's showing online is waaaaaaaay conservative.

 

[willow_hiller]

Haven't had any perfect summer days to hit an amazing maximum generation number (12.24 kW system only turned on last week, max of 57.1kWh on Sept 22), but I think I am getting a fun little cloud edge boost today.

When it's clear and sunny the system is peaking at around ~8.5 kW, but today I spotted 10.2 kW in-between clear and cloudy conditions:

 

[njhtran]

Haven't had any perfect summer days to hit an amazing maximum generation number (12.24 kW system only turned on last week, max of 57.1kWh on Sept 22), but I think I am getting a fun little cloud edge boost today.

When it's clear and sunny the system is peaking at around ~8.5 kW, but today I spotted 10.2 kW in-between clear and cloudy conditions:

View attachment 593795

I'm jealous. I'm in sunniest part of socal near the desert and the most peakiest peak i've ever gotten was 9.3kW and the best day I've ever gotten was 63.2kWh (my system is the 16.3kW).

 

[jjrandorin]

I'm jealous. I'm in sunniest part of socal near the desert and the most peakiest peak i've ever gotten was 9.3kW and the best day I've ever gotten was 63.2kWh (my system is the 16.3kW).

I have never seen the "cloud edge effect" out here, as we generally dont have that much cloud cover that then uncovers into bright sun to generate it. Those just give generation spike numbers, they dont provide a ton of extra energy over time or anything.

Are you still disappointed with your production?

 

[willow_hiller]

Those just give generation spike numbers, they dont provide a ton of extra energy over time or anything.

I would definitely be generating more kWh if I had no clouds whatsoever today. The cloud-edge spikes don't come close to making up for the lost generation while the sun is completely obscured.

 

[wjgjr]

Haven't had any perfect summer days to hit an amazing maximum generation number (12.24 kW system only turned on last week, max of 57.1kWh on Sept 22), but I think I am getting a fun little cloud edge boost today.

When it's clear and sunny the system is peaking at around ~8.5 kW, but today I spotted 10.2 kW in-between clear and cloudy conditions:

View attachment 593795

I think that is exactly it - I've seen a few spikes today that I attribute to the cloud edge effect, and this is the type of sky to get it - mostly sunny with a few smaller clouds.

 

[jboy210]

I'm jealous. I'm in sunniest part of socal near the desert and the most peakiest peak i've ever gotten was 9.3kW and the best day I've ever gotten was 63.2kWh (my system is the 16.3kW).

What do your monthly numbers look like?

I think focusing on immediate or even daily values misses bigger trends that occur over weeks and months as the sun get closer and farther and the length of a solar day changes.

 

[bkp_duke]

This heat has prompted me to expand my existing system.

I was looking for an excuse, to be honest, but moving up from 12.06 kw to 15.41 kw.

 

[zƬesla]

After a morning of rain, this afternoon I'm seeing some of the highest generation #s since installation in Spring. First time both inverters appear to have reached peak; usually one gets clipped and the other is below spec. As it's partly cloudy, I wonder if it's somehow an on-going cloud edge effect. Looks like I'll also be beating my installer's projected post-shading monthly generation by more than 10%. A bit lower total than each of the past 3 months but I'll take it.

 

[bkp_duke]

After a morning of rain, this afternoon I'm seeing some of the highest generation #s since installation in Spring. First time both inverters appear to have reached peak; usually one gets clipped and the other is below spec. As it's partly cloudy, I wonder if it's somehow an on-going cloud edge effect. Looks like I'll also be beating my installer's projected post-shading monthly generation by more than 10%. A bit lower total than each of the past 3 months but I'll take it.

Possibly washed the dust off the panels? By end of summer/fall here in SoCal, I see a decent drop in production just from the dust layer (~5-7%).

 

[BrettS]

After a morning of rain, this afternoon I'm seeing some of the highest generation #s since installation in Spring. First time both inverters appear to have reached peak; usually one gets clipped and the other is below spec. As it's partly cloudy, I wonder if it's somehow an on-going cloud edge effect. Looks like I'll also be beating my installer's projected post-shading monthly generation by more than 10%. A bit lower total than each of the past 3 months but I'll take it.

It may be a combination of things. The water probably cleaned off the panels, which helped and the water and clouds are probably lowering the ambient temps which helps. I think very light layer of clouds can also diffuse the light a bit, which does work like the cloud edge effect and can help as well.

 

[zƬesla]

I think very light layer of clouds can also diffuse the light a bit, which does work like the cloud edge effect and can help as well.

This is my guess on what's going on. Even in Spring, after rain, my second inverter didn't seem to reach peak.

 

[SoCal Dave]

My production has gone down a bit the past couple days. I assume it is mostly due to the heat wave we have been experiencing in Temecula.

 

[bkp_duke]

My production has gone down a bit the past couple days. I assume it is mostly due to the heat wave we have been experiencing in Temecula.

View attachment 593841

I see similar, but also bear in mind the days are getting a few minutes shorter each day.

 

[power.saver]

I see similar, but also bear in mind the days are getting a few minutes shorter each day.

Nope. Still 1440 minutes in every day...

But the sun's elevation is lower and the length of exposure is reduced.

 

[jboy210]

Nope. Still 1440 minutes in every day...

But the sun's elevation is lower and the length of exposure is reduced.

Wait. There are minutes beyond when the sun is making our panels producing electricity. What ????

 

[bkp_duke]

Nope. Still 1440 minutes in every day...

But the sun's elevation is lower and the length of exposure is reduced.

Always a comedian.

 

[SoCal Dave]

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.