My PV Install

[d0cdave]

Hi everyone!

Just got my PV system delivered.

Its a 2720 watt solar collector array with a Xantrex GT3.0 Grid-Tie inverter. It includes 40 BP Solar panels rated at 68W a piece.

This was purchased at closeout because the panels are older technology. New panels are usually rated at 2X the wattage per panel. But Im all about saving a buck (or in this case several thousand). The inverter is a current model, and for all those geeks out there, yes it can be monitored by your computer and via the web.

I will post a cost analysis and step by step installation processes as I can.

***NOTE: Recent posts were edited out of another thread regarding where I purchased these. I will not respond to requests made in public regarding my contact. Thanks!!***

Pics of the crate:

40 Panels in a crate:

Inverter, wiring, brackets etc...

 

[raskal311]

You said you need a permit to tap the line in to the electrical line correct? Would you need to be some type of electrician to get the permit?

 

[d0cdave]

I wont be messing with the Edison delivered connection. Edison will put in the bi-directional meter for me.

The inverter will tie into my panel via a 20A breaker, just like any other circuit in my house.

As far as electrician requirements, its all dependent on your local permit office and codes. I will find that out shortly.

 

[saltyESQ]

what about costs? how much?

 

[d0cdave]

Total Invoice: $12367.00

On to the good stuff (paperwork ensues...)
CEC Rebate @ $2.60/watt - 15% self-installed: $6011
Fed Tax CREDIT @ 30% MAX $2000: $2000

$12367
- $6011
- $2000
--------------
$4356

Add in wiring, breaker, and extra supplies to custom install it on my roof and it will probably hit $4600.

 

[saltyESQ]

well, all I can say is that is the best 4,600 you could ever spent.
will that power your entire house with surplus? and how much electricity do you consume?

 

[saltyESQ]

is the total cost of installation 15% and exactly how much is the install?

 

[d0cdave]

No. The CEC deducts 15% of the rebate if you install it youself. Most installers charge $2-3 per watt to install the system.

SO this system would cost around $6-7k to install.

I got another quote from an installer afiliated with Home Depot. His quote was almost $18k installed AFTER rebates for a 3000 watt system. Of couse, this is with the new higher-wattage panels and an electrician doing the grid-tie work.

CEC = California Energy Commission

 

[d0cdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7895910#post7895910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyESQ
well, all I can say is that is the best 4,600 you could ever spent.
will that power your entire house with surplus? and how much electricity do you consume?

Good question. One that is difficult to answer.

The nice thing about solar electricity is that you get more power during the summer when you need it (more sun = more wattage). I hope to offset at least half of my usage after everything is factored in (inverter efficiency, wiring, placement of panels, temperature etc).

In the winter I hope to spin the meter backwards and get an SCE credit.

 

[fish590a]

docdave your PM box is full.

 

[d0cdave]

PM box less-full now. Sorry!

 

[Wilafur]

are the tax credits taken 100% up front or do you take it over "x" years?

 

[d0cdave]

First, before the PV system is installed, but after you have been invoiced, you "RESERVE" the funds with the CEC.

Then, after the system is installed, the permits are signed off, and everything is filled out on the forms, the rebate is payed out in one chunk.

 

[fish590a]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7896049#post7896049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d0cdave
PM box less-full now. Sorry!

PM sent!

 

[GTR]

Even if it fails to meet all your needs look at how it will reduce the usage of the most expensive part of your usage... 2, 3 and 4 times over baseline charges. It will be difficult to get a good payback on the cheap part of the bill.

SteveU

 

[WarDaddy]

I so wish I was in a house and not a condo, I would be pouring my bonus this year into one of these systems. Nice buy!

 

[d0cdave]

Lets say my average monthly bill is now $80 (before SCE does their magic monopoly-enforced rate hikes).

Lets also say that this system will cut my usage of grid power in half... a nice conservative estimate for a 1500sqft house.

Adjusting for a 2% inflation hike a year (we all know its gonna be more):

Yr Offset Months Amount Total
1 40.00 12 480.00 480
2 40.80 12 489.60 969.6
3 41.62 12 499.39 1468.99
4 42.45 12 509.38 1978.37
5 43.30 12 519.57 2497.94
6 44.16 12 529.96 3027.90
7 45.05 12 540.56 3568.46
8 45.95 12 551.37 4119.83
9 46.87 12 562.40 4682.22

So it pays for itself in 9 years at my current avg monthly bill. If rates go up, ROI is much better. The system should last 30-40 years, so thats another 20-30 years of free energy.

Plus, guess how easily this house will sell with one of these bad boys on the roof, if we decide to move.

 

[Frankysreef]

I love it!

 

[Konadog]

40 Panels, man that's a lot of roof space. Besides reducing your energy cost, those things will shade your roof and cut down on the heat load of the house too! How big are the panels, did they come with any mounting brackets?

 

[saltyESQ]

I was under the impression that solar panels only lasted 20 years.