Solar and power wall 3 quote.

[EbS-P]

You must be getting antsy to get it all up and running - at least I would be.

It’s been a process. They were up front that in June they were running about 12 weeks from signed contract to install. We took 3 week vacation. And I wasn’t taking out the tree until I got approved by Duke. And the tree took a 2 weeks longer. Our semester stayed and kids went back to school two weeks ago. So I haven’t had too much time to stew about it. But yes I am excited. They got all the mounts up yesterday but no panels installed.

 

[EbS-P]

Yesterday’s work.. decision was made to relocate 3 lane from where the mast is to landscape orientation on the top right. These panels have a 2:1 aspect ratio. I think it will be fine.

I haven’t done any research on the Tesla app interface. I’ve been too busy with my new van and figuring out how to best care for and run a new Mercedes diesel. Time to switch gears.

 

[stoveliker]

How many panels again?

My 20 were done in one day.

 

[EbS-P]

How many panels again?

My 20 were done in one day.

24. They got a late start due to rain. It was a Saturday…. Layout change needed approval of the designer. Installers were unaware that the mast was to be relocated….. all things that if was a weekday could have been sorted quickly. I think in general the project manager constantly underestimates install time.

 

[blades]

Had a couple quotes on a small ground mount system- come in at apx $20g. then statered digging into back ground of companies - didn't look to favorable, niether were lic. in WI. which to me is a red flag.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

What kind of licensing is required in Wisconsin? Are all contractors licensed in Wisconsin?

 

[EbS-P]

Pulled wire In the attic and staged panels yesterday. I get good vibes from all the workmen. Anyone who make the last couple trips up to the attic in Birkenstocks can’t be half bad right

 

[stoveliker]

Moving around in glass fiber Birkenstocks would be the last I wish to wear...

 

[blades]

need a state lic in WI for any Biz, unless you are trying to fly under the radar, but then you have to run cash only and be careful of the banks and such. semi reg large deposits even if under the 10K fed. reporting will garner inquisitive eyes as well large purchases ( so got to do some money laundering or stash it somewhere)

 

[EbS-P]

Electrician arrived at 7:30 this morning and left at 8 o’clock at night. It was a big big job but no new mast. We’re keeping the old one. Didn’t check the ice cream. I did have to quickly wire an inverter to bring my hydroponic tower garden back to life. I forgot about it. My dad had a 2kw inverter he never used. An I had a new 100 Ahr LiFP battery that I never had hooked up to anything before except the charger.

 

[EbS-P]

Power wall 3 and panels today

All the work yesterday (let’s say $3-4k) could have been done in an hour if we were allowed to use Teslas meter mounted backup switch. I still don’t understand why we are not allowed here.

My meter was on my main panel.
7:44 shows what I’m talking about.

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[EbS-P]

Install done system on. I had an issue getting it connected to the Tesla app. Now I have to call Tesla service 😟

 

[stoveliker]

Looking good!

And no snow to kill winter production down there

 

[EbS-P]

Lots of rain today and a dry attic! 5+”.
Maybe some sunshine tomorrow

 

[EbS-P]

Found a leak this morning. Not big. Above the bathroom. Near the shower and towel hooks. So it never hit the floor. I guess having a good rain right after install is a good thing.

 

[begreen]

Found a leak this morning. Not big. Above the bathroom. Near the shower and towel hooks. So it never hit the floor. I guess having a good rain right after install is a good thing.

That's disturbing. It's good you found it. A leak means sloppy work. The question is whether the same error was made in an unobvious location.

 

[EbS-P]

And I’m solar powered! And have been since Thursday afternoon. Now I’m connected via the Tesla app. Light overcast right now. You get to chose how much you want to use the battery and wether you want to charge it from the grid. And lots of other options. I have not been approved for export as the final inspection was this morning.

 

[begreen]

So cool! Congratulations!

 

[stoveliker]

Found a leak this morning. Not big. Above the bathroom. Near the shower and towel hooks. So it never hit the floor. I guess having a good rain right after install is a good thing.

That's a problem.
As with chimneys it should be relatively straightforward to avoid leaks; proper design and proper execution.

I did go through all corners, spent time on my back in the attic just slowly scanning the roof during the first few storms (first storm, then a heavier one came by, then a heavier one etc.)

.

 

[EbS-P]

Just discovered my Tesla is too old to use the charge on excess solar feature. Won’t be an issue once I get to export excess solar but now once the battery is charged I don’t have any place for the excess solar to go.

 

[EbS-P]

And just discovered we had a 6 minute outage yesterday and I didn’t even know

 

[stoveliker]

Just discovered my Tesla is too old to use the charge on excess solar feature. Won’t be an issue once I get to export excess solar but now once the battery is charged I don’t have any place for the excess solar to go.

I don't understand?
Are you saying you can't use your Tesla (car) battery as a second battery as your wall mounted one is?

 

[EbS-P]

I don't understand?
Are you saying you can't use your Tesla (car) battery as a second battery as your wall mounted one is?

Tesla doesn’t yet have bidirectional power implemented. I think cyber truck has an inverter capable but it’s not implemented yet.

The newer Tesla’s have a software feature that once you are plugged in will override any scheduled charging and vary the charging rate to utilize any excess solar capacity to your car. Reducing what you send to the grid. This really made sense if you didn’t have net metering. It’s now not necessary for me since I flipped the export to grid switch.

I just submitted to the virtual power plant program. A credit worth $624/year, allowing the utility to discharge my battery 35x a year down to 20%.

This system while it has lots of options seems
Surprisingly easy to control.

 

[bogieb]

And I’m solar powered! And have been since Thursday afternoon. Now I’m connected via the Tesla app. Light overcast right now. You get to chose how much you want to use the battery and wether you want to charge it from the grid. And lots of other options. I have not been approved for export as the final inspection was this morning.

View attachment 329824 View attachment 329825

Must be the difference between having a battery and not having one. I wasn't solar powered until the power company installed the meter and gave the okay to flip the switch - which took nearly all the 20 working days they are allowed (okay, a couple of days were also for the town inspector). Naturally, that November was bright, sunny and dry - right up until the day after the meter was installed.

 

[stoveliker]

Must be the difference between having a battery and not having one. I wasn't solar powered until the power company installed the meter and gave the okay to flip the switch - which took nearly all the 20 working days they are allowed (okay, a couple of days were also for the town inspector). Naturally, that November was bright, sunny and dry - right up until the day after the meter was installed.

No battery here but I had solar from the first connected panel.
Inspection was a year later (somebody messed up).
Installer just hooked it up....