solar

Status
Not open for further replies.
ceb58

ceb58

Senior Member
Location
Raeford, NC
I saw a commercial on TV today advertising solar systems that "could eliminate your elect. bill". I went on there web site and was looking through the speck. sheets for the elect. connection. They showed a disconnect after the panels and a disconnect between the inverter and main panel. Fairly straightforward. Then they stated that you needed to contact the local utility co. to have a bi-directional meter installed. I know some here have installed solar before have you ran into complications with the local utility installing this bi-directional meter?
The price for the 1kw unit was $5999.00 uninstalled seem like it would take a long time even with the tax breaks to recoup your investments.
 
brian john said:
With 1KW a bi-directional meter seems useless.
Click to expand...

Well, that was my thought also It showed connecting to the main panel with a 20amp single pole breaker. But I am curious about the meter
 
I Installed a 5 KW system in my house and it was nice to see the meter run backwards for a couple of days before the utility changed the meter.
 
Last edited:
CIECO said:
I Installed a 5 KW system in my house and it was nice to see the meter run backwards for a couple of days before the utility changed the meter.
Click to expand...


Manufacure and cost PLEASE.
 
Quick web search 3kw is $17,000.00-$18,000.00 not including installation.

at $.12 a kw times 3 kw, assume 8 hours a day operation say 20 days a month 12 months saving $601.00 ????????????? Am I missing something?

49 years payback Am I missing something????????????

Even at 24 hours a day NOT POSSIBLE 30 days a month 12 months a year.

pay back would be 5 and 1/2 years. Am I missing something????
 
By the time I was done about $30,000.00 25 Sanyo HIT-200BA3 200 W solar module Fronius IG 5100 watt grid-tie inverter and IniRac mounting hardware.
$17,500 Back from utility $3,000 Back from feds $2,000 back from state. now that the days are geting shorter and I have a north facing roof I am still going with 18 KWH per day. about half of what I use. It looks like it may pay off. PS have not seen the utility rebate yet. more like $0.18+++ $600+ every 2 months. Got the first bill after the install for 32 days at $120.00 more then 1/2 we will see.
 
Last edited:
Utility gives huge rebate then just adds it into operational cost Psc then tack on profit divide fuel surcharge then this is your rate.., You gotta love it. GO SOLAR!
 
brian john said:
Quick web search 3kw is $17,000.00-$18,000.00 not including installation.

at $.12 a kw times 3 kw, assume 8 hours a day operation say 20 days a month 12 months saving $601.00 ????????????? Am I missing something?

49 years payback Am I missing something????????????

Even at 24 hours a day NOT POSSIBLE 30 days a month 12 months a year.

pay back would be 5 and 1/2 years. Am I missing something????
Click to expand...

Yes, your missing all the tax credits / rebates.

I am currently doing a 50 KW grid tied system, the installed cost will about $5,000 per KW. With the tax credits the numbers work well for the person paying the bills. Beyond the direct benefits this person will also use the solar installation as a public relations gimmick for their business.
 
quogueelectric said:
Utility gives huge rebate then just adds it into operational cost Psc then tack on profit divide fuel surcharge then this is your rate.., You gotta love it. GO SOLAR!
Click to expand...

Very short sighted near jerk response.

The rebates are balanced out by not having to build more capacity into the system.

You will not receive the rebates for just installing the system, you must have a working system that reduces the load on the utility's grid.

The same with the tax credits, the system must be monitored for it's actual KWH production.
 
ceb58 said:
I know some here have installed solar before have you ran into complications with the local utility installing this bi-directional meter?
Click to expand...

For that 1KW system in my area it appears that would move ahead quickly.

For the 50 KW job I am doing the application is about 7 pages and the paper work with it from the power company was about 80 more pages.

If it is a 10KW or less 1-Phase or up to 25 kW 3-Phase, inverter-based system I could use the simplified process.
Simplified Process Interconnection Application (PDF)

All others need the longer version

Expedited/Standard Process Interconnection Application (PDF)


Here are the definitions and rules, they make a great sleep aid.:roll:

Standard for Interconnection of Distributed Generation (PDF)
 
CIECO said:
By the time I was done about $30,000.00 25 Sanyo HIT-200BA3 200 W solar module Fronius IG 5100 watt grid-tie inverter and IniRac mounting hardware.
$17,500 Back from utility $3,000 Back from feds $2,000 back from state. now that the days are geting shorter and I have a north facing roof I am still going with 18 KWH per day. about half of what I use. It looks like it may pay off. PS have not seen the utility rebate yet. more like $0.18+++ $600+ every 2 months. Got the first bill after the install for 32 days at $120.00 more then 1/2 we will see.
Click to expand...
Hey! Wheres my thanks for paying your power bill! The feds and state didn't give you the rebate, Your fellow taxpayers did! Get it while you can. With all of the new taxes the next president is proposing, get ready for the 2nd great depression.
 
For more information, search google.com for the words...

net metering

Also this link has information about "grid tie" inverters...
http://www.grid-tie.com

FYI - This is a state to state thing. Different states have different laws/regulations on this. Check with your local electric company about "net metering".
 
Just filled out the app. Waited 2 months for the approval and 1 day after I faxed the job complete forms there was the new meter.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top