Solar Panels

[jb747]

For you to install 15kw of panels, you'll need to be on 3 phase power. Otherwise you'll be limited to 5kw.

A way around some of the limitations imposed by shading is to use micro inverters. That means that any shade only affects the panel it falls on, not the entire array.

To give you an idea though...this is for 1/1/2018, and is per panel.
0800: East - 170w, North 110w, West 10w
1000: East - 225w, North 205w, West 120w
1200: East - 235w, North 245w, West 205w
1400: East - 205w, North 235w, West 245w
1600: East - 130w, North 165w, West 225w
1800: East - 30w, North 55w, West 170w

On a production basis, again per panel, for the same day.
East 1.95 kw/h
North 2.00 kw/h
West 2.05 kw/h

 

[Quickstatus]

Ah no there will be no shading on the NE roof array from the trees

But because of the shading any array on the much smaller NW roof will be wasted - so no panels will be installed on the NW roof

Thanks for data. I suspected that after mid afternoon a NE panel generation would have dropped off dramatically and not a lot of solar electricity when the price is high

Would you by any chance have similar readings post daylight saving adjustment in April?

 

[jb747]

Sure. I’ll post it later today, when I’m back near the computer.

 

[samh004]

My only (developing) issue is the other day I got an email advising that they had identified that the DC isolator installed as part of my system has been found to fail in certain circumstances, and that they would need to replace it. Thus, my system is currently turned off, as they have advised me to do for protection.

Wanted to reply to myself to say that despite the DC Isolator issue with AGL, they fixed it up 2 months to the day, and compensated me ~$160 for the period it was down, taking into account system size, orientation, weather, etc. I feel I was looked after well.

 

[jb747]

As requested...

6th April 2018
Production per panel.
East 1.05 kw/h
North 1.60 kw/h
West 1.30 kw/h

For some reason, this laptop is not giving me the same data as the home machine, so that will have to wait until I get home next week.

Hourly added. Something about Safari on the laptop.

0800: East - 115w, North 115w, West 10w
1000: East - 165w, North 205w, West 120w
1200: East - 155w, North 225w, West 185w
1400: East - 100w, North 190w, West 205w
1600: East - 15w, North 80w, West 150w
1800: East - 0w, North 0w, West 0w

 

[Quickstatus]

As requested...

Sunday 6th April 2018
Production per panel.
East 1.05 kw/h
North 1.60 kw/h
West 1.30 kw/h

For some reason, this laptop is not giving me the same data as the home machine, so that will have to wait until I get home next week.

Ok thank you very much I would be greatly informed by the “per hour” performance if you are able to extract tilhe information. Much appreciated

 

[jb747]

Ok thank you very much I would be greatly informed by the “per hour” performance if you are able to extract tilhe information. Much appreciated

Added above....

 

[cove]

Don’t forget to wash your panels. It does make a difference when you are trying to achieve a maximum performance.
Your inverter can generally handle extra panels but get advice on this.

 

[VPS]

I was told that washing the panels was a waste of time

 

[Quickstatus]

I was told that washing the panels was a waste of time

It does make a difference

 

[Flying mermaid]

Our panel installers suggested getting them wiped over when we get our gutters cleaned.

 

[cove]

Perth metro gets smoke and ash from fire reduction strategies. Cleaning our panels can improve performance by a good percentage.

 

[k_sheep]

Well here's a saga.

We bought a new house about 10 months ago. It has 11kw+ panels, dual inverters, and a whole lot of batteries (very precise I know .... I'm not good with power). Not offgrid, still connected to mains etc.

Many mishaps later including smelling burning electrics, losing power regularly .... could not get the mob who did the install to come do some checks. And we were not looking for any "included" service, we were perfectly willing to pay. No fewer than 10 times calling them, and getting the "the tech will call you back in 10 mins", nothing. Hubby finally just turned up to the office a few times and STILL got the runaround.

Managed to find another sparky with some solar experience around. Turns out the inverters are 3kw only, so they really don't like having 11kw+ being fed in. The batteries, despite being less than 2 years old are completely toast, again, because the amount of power going in and out of them was not properly regulated.

So the previous owners spent >$40k which was just totally money down the drain, because of such a shonky install and setup.

 

[Quickstatus]

1/1/2018
East 1.95 kw/h
North 2.00 kw/h
West 2.05 kw/h[

6th April 2018
Production per panel.
East 1.05 kw/h
North 1.60 kw/h
West 1.30 kw/h

That’s a significant drop off by April

Sydney peak solar hours is 6.3hr in Jan and 3.8 in Jul meaning a north facing 250w panel at the correct angle in Sydney in Jan would generate 250x6.3 = 1575w per day

In my area:
(Weekdays)
Off peak = 15c/kWh (2200-0700)
Shoulder = 25c/kWh (0700-1400) (2000-2200)
Peak = 54c/kWh (1400-2000)

(Weekend)
Off peak = same
Shoulder = 0700-2200

Net feed tariff = -12.5c/kWh
This means moving loads from off peak to period where panels are generating will only save 2.5c/kWh

I suspect that at most I can cover 0800-1400 in Spring and Autumn, 0800-1600 in Summer, maybe 0900-1300 in winter with a NE array.

 

[Flying mermaid]

In January we were generating around 80kwh per day, by April it’s dropped to 50kwh.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Well here's a saga.

We bought a new house about 10 months ago. It has 11kw+ panels, dual inverters, and a whole lot of batteries (very precise I know .... I'm not good with power). Not offgrid, still connected to mains etc.

Many mishaps later including smelling burning electrics, losing power regularly .... could not get the mob who did the install to come do some checks. And we were not looking for any "included" service, we were perfectly willing to pay. No fewer than 10 times calling them, and getting the "the tech will call you back in 10 mins", nothing. Hubby finally just turned up to the office a few times and STILL got the runaround.

Managed to find another sparky with some solar experience around. Turns out the inverters are 3kw only, so they really don't like having 11kw+ being fed in. The batteries, despite being less than 2 years old are completely toast, again, because the amount of power going in and out of them was not properly regulated.

So the previous owners spent >$40k which was just totally money down the drain, because of such a shonky install and setup.

its not an uncommon story. When the technician from ACTEWAGL came to tick off our installation, he said there were only two companies in Canberra who did a decent job - fortunately ours was one of them. It is a lot of money to spend - we don’t have batteries, but after subsidies it was $27,000, so worth doing due diligence before choosing someone.

 

[Quickstatus]

I prefer to be use an amortisation financial model for solar panels which is a depreciating asset

If I borrowed $10000 at 5% for 10 years with quarterly payment for a solar array
The quarterly payment would be $313 pQ.
Meaning I need to reduce the electricity bill by same amount per Q to break even

I don’t now if amortisation over 20 years is valid for solar panels but if so the electric bill would need a saving of $156 pQ.

 

[Quickstatus]

In January we were generating around 80kwh per day, by April it’s dropped to 50kwh.

What’s your setup?

Canberra and other inland areas like Wagga seems to have better generation in Summer than Sydney :
https://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/Solar_Radiation_Figures.pdf

 

[Flying mermaid]

What’s your setup?

Canberra and other inland areas like Wagga seems to have better generation in Summer than Sydney :
https://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/Solar_Radiation_Figures.pdf

40 x LG Neon2 330w

2 x SolarEdge SE500H (inverter)

20 panels face East and 20 west. Its a 13kw system, but I think the best we have done in an hour is around 10. At the beginning of January we were starting to generate around 6 and finishing at 8:30pm, which works well for us given we are at home in the day a lot.

Currently our peak is more around 7kw and we start generating at 6:30 and finish at 5:30, although between 8 and 4 is more where you get a decent amount.

 

[Quickstatus]

Its a 13kw system, but I think the best we have done in an hour is around 10.

The quoted figure assumes a north facing panel at the correct tilt angle. As you are E and W the max performance will be less which is much less important that being able to use the generated electricity at the time of generation

Just received a quote for 15kw roof mounted all facing one way - so 1 three phase inverter
circa $19000 (net). But all facing NE

ill probably go 10kW as I wont be able to use all of the generation and ill just get net feed in tariff for the rest.