The Time Has Come .....I've gone solar

Priaptor · Aug 31, 2018

Great article on page 24 in November Motor Trend about C02 capture mechanisms I referred to in another post, particularly Carbon Engineering a company started by a Harvard Prof in British Columbia.

Recommend the article to everyone. It’s one of the companies forging, what IMHO, is the real future for “clean”, renewable as well as “reparative” energy. It goes into a little of the technology as well as this company’s cost effectiveness and how as the price improves is a much more sane and effective method to carbon offsets.

microstrip · Sep 1, 2018

GaryProtein said:
I have 60-90 foot tall trees all over my property. There is simply no place solar panels can go to get enough sunlight morning to night, especially when you consider how long the shadows are from the autumnal to vernal equinoxes. The mid-day sun would be all I could get.

If you have such great trees you are already contributing to save the planet. Although I praise a lot the use of renewable resources, the key to the solution of the problem is also in the more efficient use of energy and energy storage.

For the curious person a tree absorbs between 5 - 20 kg of CO2 per year and the VTL Siegfried or the Lamm ML3 used four hours per day release around 500 kg of CO2 per year. (values depending on your location and your trees, surely). The DartZeel 458 would reduce the emission to about 100 kg of CO2 per year. I hope I got maths right!

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

It's almost one year since I installed my solar system and I couldn't be happier

For one thing I have not had an electric bill since installation. There was also a 30% tax credit that was very helpful

I was recently given a year to date analysis for my system

I. SYSTEM DETAILS
SMS ID: 184391
Module: (30) SPR-X22-360-D-AC
Year 1 Estimated Electricity Offset: 119.0%
Year 1 Target Production: 17,152 kWh
Energy Start Date: October 04, 2018

II. REVIEW SUMMARY
A. No performance modeling issue, the system is performing as expected:
Target Production (10.4.2018-7.6.2019) = 11,160.1 kWh
Actual Production (10.4.2018-7.6.2019) = 12,077.3 kWh
Lifetime Performance Index = 108.2%

B. Component check on 7/7/2019:
1. No active alert flag observed in SMS Partner UI.
2. All (30) microinverters are reporting.
3. Updated PVS5 Firmware version on 7/7/2019.
4. Consumption CT installed and configured correctly.
5. Turned on Production CT on 7/7/2019.

C. Evaluation of Maxfit Design and Actual Installation:
1. Maxfit Design - roof dimensions and site obstructions (chimney, trees, house next door) properly modeled in the Maxfit Design.
2. Module Layout - the number of modules per array matches the final EDDIE Layout but the module positioning is a bit off. The discrepancy is very minor and will not cause underproduction.

D. The system is expected to meet the Year 1 Target. Barring system failure and excessive soiling, the system is expected to produce ~6,700 kWh from July to Oct.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The system is performing as expected and there is no active system failure. No action required for this site.

RECOMMENDED ACTION TO HO FOR OPTIMAL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE:
1. Keep all nearby trees/shrubs/hedges trimmed annually to ensure that the modules will receive as much sunlight as it did upon installation.

2. Wash the modules regularly (bi-monthly during dry season) to avoid performance issue due to soiling.

3. Maintain a functioning indoor internet connection and keep the SunPower Monitoring System connected to internet at all times for proper system monitoring.

*******************************

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

I noted that it recommended bimonthly washing of the panels in the dry season

Sunpower provided a recommendation of a company that only cleans solar systems

Here si a before and after photo of three panels being washed, before and after

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

It's been a week since I had my panels washed and I have seen a daily increase in power production of 7-8 KWH/day

So to all of you reading this thread and have a system on your roof the has not had regular cleaning I would encourage you to do so

microstrip · Jul 23, 2019

Nice job. Did you ask them to clean your LPs?

WLVCA · Jul 23, 2019

Glad your solar energy system is working out for you, Steve. We have been very happy with our system, too.

BlueFox · Jul 23, 2019

Is bi-monthly twice a month, or every two months? I wash mine a couple of times during the summer, but I sure don't pay somebody to do it.

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

Every two months

NorthStar · Jul 23, 2019

I think they should build all new homes with solar panels on their roofs.
...And all new condos with solar panels on the external walls, rooftops and above their parking lots.
We need more trees too, and not cutting too much in the Amazon.

Skyscrapers should have window glasses that act as solar panels.
...And outside balconies with green plants, flowers and vegetables.

Steve Williams · Jul 23, 2019

NorthStar said:
I think they should build all new homes with solar panels on their roofs.
...And all new condos with solar panels on the external walls, rooftops and above their parking lots.
We need more trees too, and not cutting too much in the Amazon.

Skyscrapers should have window glasses that act as solar panels.
...And outside balconies with green plants, flowers and vegetables.

The prediction is that within the next 20 years homes will be built with a roof solar system. The only issue is that the builder has no idea what requirements the future owner will have

marslo · Jul 24, 2019

I have for 12 years solar thermal panels to heat the water in the indoor swimming pool , now is time for photovoltaic panels.
I signed recently the contract for 32 Viessmann monocrystalic panels for around 10 kWp installation, it will cost me around 10 k euros and be installed on our garage roof the beginning of August.
We consider also a 6 kWp installation for our secondary house in France but there - even with tax incentives- it would cost 14,5 k euro, so nearly 2,5 more expensvie for 1 kWp than in Poland. In France the total cost of 1 kWh for households with EDF is around 0,16 euro, in Poland with special tarrifs ( cheaper in the nights and weekends) the average is 0,1 euro for 1 kWh.
As our principal home is quite big and we consume around 60.000 kWh a year we will install next year another 40 kWp on the ground because prices of the panels come down and the law in Poland gives the possibility to install up to 50 kWp per household.

marslo · Aug 13, 2019

Before, first panel on the roof and nearly finished, monocrystalic panels from Viessmann , local technicians.
Well done

marslo · Aug 13, 2019

And these are amazing pics what nature can make on panels, cold winter day with high humidity . I have 20 panels, all designs were different.

Marcus · Aug 13, 2019

Wow! You’re living in a beautiful place marslo!

marslo · Aug 13, 2019

Just Poland

, thank you Marcus.
I was born in this county in 1959 and my wife too, in a town of around 20 th inhabitants, 11 years ago we moved to this place, the old farm completely refurbished, 2 kms from my first business factory established in 88 , just before Polish transition. I was 29....
Think globally, act locally

marslo · Aug 13, 2019

To finish, these are our panels to heat water, Polish make Hewalex, in use for 11 years already

DonH50 · Aug 15, 2019

Pretty nice array!

Here is an article about non-toxic solar cells that could be in our future: https://www.designnews.com/material...RK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=9802&elq_cid=159513

NorthStar · Aug 15, 2019

marslo said:
To finish, these are our panels to heat water, Polish make Hewalex, in use for 11 years already

I see wind turbines nearby; some with two blades, others with three.
Are three blades more efficient than two?
Can you hear them @ night?

The Time Has Come .....I've gone solar

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