Solar PV 2017

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jebatty

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Jan 1, 2008
5,796
Northern MN
2017 kWh production slightly exceeded the 2014-2017 average production. 2017 kWh production was 15,531 kWh and the four year average was 15,482 kWh. Production in 2014 remains the High year and 2016 remains the Low year.

[Hearth.com] Solar PV 2017
 
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How big is your system? How big is your house? Does your solar system take care of all of your electrical needs? I'm putting up a 6.1 kw system. How long is your payback time? Did you get rebates? Is your system a permanent ground mount? Did you you lean it to favor summer?
 
How Big PV? 12.3kW DC
How Big house? 1500 sqft
Meet needs? yes, produces about 15,500 kWh/year; house usage is about 12,000 kWh/year; system designed for excess to be available to "fuel" a future electric car.
Payback? my system was installed in 2013 and expanded in 2015. Prices have dropped a lot since then, so my payback would be irrelevant. In my area cost of a ground mount install by professional is about $3.00 - $3.50/watt.
Rebates? only rebate was the FTC. You may have other rebates/credits available. Do you have net metering available and if so, at what rate? I look at PV as along term investment, not a cost
Ground Mount? permanent
Tilt (lean)? favors spring/fall (35 degrees) and therefor favors some winter as well vs a tilt which favors summer.

For a long thread on my system, see:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/solar-electric-6-5kw-expanded-to-12-3kw.116031/
 
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