Stg2Suby
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Rough estimate how many years to pay back the $6500?
Solar System Install and Performance
- Thread starter ABMax24
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tex78
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Well there ya go
But, windows and siding get busted and are at side angles, facing all directions
Dunno, I think they would be gone in a big storm
mclean
Active VIP Member
What are you using for storage or just relying on solar during the day and grid power at night?
doorfx
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Rated for hurricane force winds lol windows are not tempered glass and siding is plastic?
Google is your friend.
https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-hail-hurricanes/
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- #25
ABMax24
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Roughly 18 years. But could really swing either way depending on what power prices do.
At least for me this isn't a huge concern. Big hail isn't common up here, I'm not sure I've ever seen marble sized hail.
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- #26
ABMax24
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Grid tied only, no storage in this system. Sell excess during the day and buy back at night. I might eventually add battery storage but costs are ridiculous right now. A Tesla powerwall is $11k.
DaveB
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So basically, if I'm deciphering this right, your end goal is to save money on the long run. (which is fine by me, BTW) Your goal is not to save the earth. If this is the goal, then the long term plan would be that EVERYONE is on solar. And if EVERYONE has solar panels, then the utility companies are not going to be buying the excess back. Plus there's the whole dilemma of what EVERYONE does during the 6-7 months in Alberta where sun only shines for 8-10 hrs a day....and that whole night time thing. I guess we would need grid supply that can be ramped up and down fairly rapidly.
X-it
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Now we get to see the stats from a individual this is fantastic, i go on this sites quite regular to see results. You can be slid rule over in 15 minute intervals to see the power produced all day long. Make sure and check their bolts for leaks, i have installed a lot of roofs and shingles.. https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/pv/public_systems/Rm3B950977/overview?preview=1
I don’t think it’s about making money as an 18 yr payback on an investment with no cash flow is poor. You can toss that money in a TFSA and double that money in same amount of time. You definitely have to feel like you’re helping the environment and/or expecting power costs to rise to make the investment worthwhile.
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- #30
ABMax24
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That mostly why, but partly because I like these kind of things and wanted to try it. You are right that if everyone had panels like I do that there would be a huge surplus of electricity during the day and summer months and a large deficit at night and during the winter. This is why battery storage must be added to the equation to make solar power more useful in today's world.
You are also correct that the grid must become more reactive to cope with solar power, in many ways solar makes this worse as solar power output typically starts to dwindle at the exact same time that the evening load starts to peak. But as we move away from coal and on to natural gas generation this becomes more feasible. Coal thermal plants are extremely good at producing reliable base-load capacity day in and day out, but the really suck at reacting to large swings in demand. Natural gas power plants are much better at this because they are typically driven by large gas turbines that can be started and ramped up to full load in minutes. California is a prime example of this due to all the solar power in the state, and they manage much of this demand through these peaker natural gas plants. There is a lot of information on this website for those that care to look: http://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/default.aspx
For Alberta and Canada I'd like to see home based CHP (combined heat and power) units become available. Basically what they are is a small generator that produces electricity and uses the waste heat for space heating and water heating inside the home. This would have a huge impact on winter electrical demand and help to offset the lack of solar power in the winter, while also replacing the standard furnace. This of course would have to be fueled from natural gas or propane.
Boggles my mind to see new construction NOT have solar.
And those of you who whining about the long term investment, consider the useless bull**** that won't make a penny like rock facades, fridges with computer screens on them, and all that crap. Unless you live full Amish, you're wasting money on something guaranteed!
And those of you who whining about the long term investment, consider the useless bull**** that won't make a penny like rock facades, fridges with computer screens on them, and all that crap. Unless you live full Amish, you're wasting money on something guaranteed!
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- #32
ABMax24
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It's not all about the money to me, it's part of the equation for sure, I think its cool that on an annual basis all the power I use can come from the sun hitting my roof. Quite frankly I've spent $6500 on many other things with much less return on investment (sled turbos and anything else with an engine I've bought come to mind). But I am also expecting power prices to rise, coal power will be out in just over 10 years, and natural gas prices are almost certain to rise driving up the cost of electricity generated from it, and as shown by Site C it's damn near impossible to build a dam. The rise of electric cars has also began further driving up power demand and likely as a result power prices.
doorfx
Active VIP Member
Plus you have added equity to your home. Realty experts are saying 3% and some as much as 5%. Even at 3% on a 500,000 home,,,, you do the math. A kitchen Reno will cost you $35,000-$50,000
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- #34
ABMax24
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That was my thought as well. Even if it didn't add a cent to value it might be the difference in selling and not selling our home if times were tough, something that comes around every time oil prices drop.
52weekbreak
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This is likely very true as it will attract some buyers. I am curious about the interface between your panel and the solar system. Electrical code is getting progressively more stringent so was wondering how difficult the install was on your relatively new home.
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- #36
ABMax24
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Funny you mention that, just had the electrical inspection this morning and we may need a disconnect for the panels mounted outside the house in case the house catches fire and the fire department needs to shut it off. This is new to the electrical code and most jurisdictions are supposed to adopt this in April, apparently Grande prairie did it early. So waiting on a final answer for that. Otherwise install is simple and cable to the panel and a normal 2 pole breaker. Plus a bunch of warning labels on the panel and meter stating that the house has 2 sources of electricity, the grid and panels. Except that the panels can't possibly be on without grid power, the inverters won't run without it.
Stg2Suby
Active VIP Member
From what I was reading your modules have functionality built in to address the shutoff requirements, at least as far as the NEC regulations in the US. Ie: they shut off automatically when they sense loss of the utility supply thus meeting the requirements. Not sure how the CEC reads on solar but I'd definitely bring it up if they try and make you wire it out to an outdoor disconnect.
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- #38
ABMax24
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My installer is dealing with this directly, and he pointed out the same thing. To me it seems like a mis-interpretation of the code but will see what results of this.
X-it
Active VIP Member
How are your solar panels doing?? I have been watching the provincial solar farms but they are more or less dead, and producing no power.
jhurkot
Active VIP Member
Have you been checking at midnight?
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