Our solar production

[SilverLeaf]

Production from my 33 230wDC SunPower Panels via Sunnyboy (SMA) 7000US Inverter (7.59kW DC)

2014 AC Production
Jan 1048
Feb 977
Mar 1347
Apr 1438
May 1476
Jun 1413
Jul 1346
Aug 1368
Sep 1242

2013 AC Production
Jan 910
Feb 1105
Mar 1328
Apr 1444
May 1474
Jun 1447
Jul 1284
Aug 1230
Sep 1280
Oct 1050
Nov 955
Dec 1005

2012 AC Production
Mar 1228
Apr 1217
May 1416
Jun 1325
Jul 1189
Aug 1168
Sep 1118
Oct 603
Nov 970
Dec 851

Link to my Solar Production - http://pvpwrev.webs.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[mwalsh]

Doing pretty good this year overall, considering I haven't been up on the roof to wash down my panels at all:

Total kWh Jan    Feb    March  April   May     June    July    August  Sept   Oct    Nov    Dec    Total
2010                                                                                        198.76 198.76
2011      623.61 718.29 900.88 998.07  1063.21 988.45  1112.21 1113.42 873.14 806.53 571.08 601.73 10370.62
2012      623.33 710.72 897.53 1009.51 1060.92 994.92  1027.26 1048.68 968.03 774.73 552.08 451.35 10119.06
2013      631.15 698.26 922.13 929.33  1052.76 971.27  978.93  1079.56 945.70 775.43 561.88 592.58 10138.98
2014      571.84 622.83 886.12 1031.34 1082.79 1020.34 959.42  1074.14 964.24

 

[pchilds]

Mar 2014, 529.6 kWh
Apr 2014, 554.6 kWh
May 2014, 606.8 kWh
Jun 2014, 584.0 kWh
Jul 2014, 545.8 kWh
Aug 2014, 595.8 kWh
Sep 2014, 563.3 kWh

 

[dgpcolorado]

September solar production was average and was the third month in a row that was up in production year-over-year. Although the month was unusually wet, the storms were concentrated in brief periods that were interspersed with the mostly sunny mornings and cloudy afternoons that are typical for late summer here.

Results for September for the last six years:
                Old panels   Old+New panels
               (700 Watts)   (2170 Watts)
September 2014     98 kWh       277 kWh
September 2013     95 kWh       268 kWh
September 2012    104 kWh       308 kWh
September 2011     96 kWh
September 2010    112 kWh
September 2009     95 kWh

Annual production:
2014      2525 kWh (thus far)
2013      3327 kWh 
2012      1409 kWh 
2011      1203 kWh 
2010      1132 kWh 
2009      1165 kWh 
2008       232 kWh (partial year)

 

[RegGuheert]

October 2014 was pretty rainy for most of the month. In spite of the addition of 29% more PV DC capability, the production was only 22% above the peak October production month in 2013.

Below are all our numbers for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 along with the PVWatts predictions for the old array (good through June 2014) and the new array (good starting with July 2014):

Month    PVW42   2011   2012   2013   2014  PVW54  Units
--------------------------------------------------------
January    916    669    869    822    857   1229   kWh
February   702    158   1085    866   1054    915   kWh
March      965      0   1350   1152   1113   1240   kWh
April     1465      0   1465   1495   1338   1899   kWh
May       1583      0   1477   1491   1457   2074   kWh 
June      1268      0   1478   1368   1521   1666   kWh
July      1448    595   1395   1406   1880   1902   kWh
August    1442   1347   1447   1333   1794   1875   kWh
September 1209    910   1295   1414   1577   1555   kWh
October   1304    931    981   1034   1258   1713   kWh
November   864    949   1041   1018          1154   kWh
December   820    803    612    669          1108   kWh
--------------------------------------------------------
Totals   13986   6362  14495  14068  13849  18330   kWh

Since installation, our system has produced 48.774 MWh as of the end of October 2014.

 

[pchilds]

Mar 2014, 529.6 kWh
Apr 2014, 554.6 kWh
May 2014, 606.8 kWh
Jun 2014, 584.0 kWh
Jul 2014, 545.8 kWh
Aug 2014, 595.8 kWh
Sep 2014, 563.3 kWh
Oct 2014, 511.3 kWh

 

[SilverLeaf]

Production from my 33 230wDC SunPower Panels via Sunnyboy (SMA) 7000US Inverter (7.59kW DC)

2014 AC Production
Jan 1048
Feb 977
Mar 1347
Apr 1438
May 1476
Jun 1413
Jul 1346
Aug 1368
Sep 1242
Oct 1193

2013 AC Production
Jan 910
Feb 1105
Mar 1328
Apr 1444
May 1474
Jun 1447
Jul 1284
Aug 1230
Sep 1280
Oct 1050
Nov 955
Dec 1005

2012 AC Production
Mar 1228
Apr 1217
May 1416
Jun 1325
Jul 1189
Aug 1168
Sep 1118
Oct 603
Nov 970
Dec 851

Link to my Solar Production - http://pvpwrev.webs.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[RegGuheert]

November 2014 brought snow on the day before Thanksgiving. In spite of the addition of 29% more PV DC capability, the production was only 18% above the peak November production month in 2012.

Below are all our numbers for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 along with the PVWatts predictions for the old array (good through June 2014) and the new array (good starting with July 2014):

Month    PVW42   2011   2012   2013   2014  PVW54  Units
--------------------------------------------------------
January    916    669    869    822    857   1229   kWh
February   702    158   1085    866   1054    915   kWh
March      965      0   1350   1152   1113   1240   kWh
April     1465      0   1465   1495   1338   1899   kWh
May       1583      0   1477   1491   1457   2074   kWh 
June      1268      0   1478   1368   1521   1666   kWh
July      1448    595   1395   1406   1880   1902   kWh
August    1442   1347   1447   1333   1794   1875   kWh
September 1209    910   1295   1414   1577   1555   kWh
October   1304    931    981   1034   1258   1713   kWh
November   864    949   1041   1018   1227   1154   kWh
December   820    803    612    669          1108   kWh
--------------------------------------------------------
Totals   13986   6362  14495  14068  15076  18330   kWh

Since installation, our system has produced 50.001 MWh as of the end of November 2014.

 

[trumpetnelson]

I will keep it simple. The ultimate end production (wattage at 120v) I get out of my panels equals approximately 50% of the panels rating. Panels - controller - battery bank - inverter - 120v outlet.

All copper wire is well oversized. I estimate my total losses for the copper are under 5% total. Of course you know this - - - the panel ratings are under ideal conditions. Texas heat is a huge factor in the summer. And that's when I run the air conditioner!

San Antonio annually averages about 5.5 hours of insolation. My biggest production boost (22%) was mounting the panels on the white metal hangar roof and leaving them at the winter angle. The reflected energy off the roof is significant, and I have found the summer angle reduces the roof "seen" by the panels, reducing output.

My 2 cents,
Nelson

 

[Weatherman]

Solar rebate program in Florida is dead. Glad I took advantage of it when I did. In spite of utility claims, it was never a threat to their business model in this state. The number of rooftop installations was miniscule:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/florida-regulators-meet-to-decide-future-of-energy-efficiency-and-solar/2207845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My array is up to 26 MWh of total production since installation in June 2012. Ten of the thirty, original Enphase microinverters have failed and have had to be replaced since installation.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Production from my 33 230wDC SunPower Panels via Sunnyboy (SMA) 7000US Inverter (7.59kW DC)

2014 AC Production
Jan 1048
Feb 977
Mar 1347
Apr 1438
May 1476
Jun 1413
Jul 1346
Aug 1368
Sep 1242
Oct 1193
Nov 1053

2013 AC Production
Jan 910
Feb 1105
Mar 1328
Apr 1444
May 1474
Jun 1447
Jul 1284
Aug 1230
Sep 1280
Oct 1050
Nov 955
Dec 1005

2012 AC Production
Mar 1228
Apr 1217
May 1416
Jun 1325
Jul 1189
Aug 1168
Sep 1118
Oct 603
Nov 970
Dec 851

Link to my Solar Production - http://pvpwrev.webs.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[pchilds]

Mar 2014, 529.6 kWh
Apr 2014, 554.6 kWh
May 2014, 606.8 kWh
Jun 2014, 584.0 kWh
Jul 2014, 545.8 kWh
Aug 2014, 595.8 kWh
Sep 2014, 563.3 kWh
Oct 2014, 511.3 kWh
Nov 2014, 432.2 kWh

 

[HighDesertDriver]

The supplier of our original panels (BP) has exited the business and bought back our array of 39, plus two spares. We purchased a full pallet of 30 SolarWorld 275W panels (less cost than 27 panels from a reduced pallet) for the replacement, but I am wrestling with the decision of installing two strings of 13 (7150W) or two strings of 14 (7700W) on our SMA 6000 inverter. Our original array of 39 panels (6900W) functioned fine, truncating output Wattage to 6200W(AC) only 4-5 days a year due to summer temperature and winter sun angle efficiency reductions. I'm sure 7150W would be OK, but I am tempted to give 7700W a chance to completely eliminate our electric bill. We became consumers again at appx $100/yr after adding our LEAF EV in Sept 2011. I'd appreciate any insightful opinions or data. Thanks!

 

[keydiver]

If you have the room on the roof, with no shading issues, I'd go with 2 strings of 14 panels. You will get your full 6000 watt output a lot more often, earlier and later than the peak. Also, as the panels age you will still make more power.

 

[HighDesertDriver]

^^^
Yes, we do have unused and unobstructed rack space for 28 panels due to the new higher watts/panel, but not in a 1:1 ratio because the SolarWorld panels are a bit larger. My basic concern is that I don't want to "stress" the SMA inverter and eventually pay more to replace it than we saved at $100/year. If it dials down array output on high efficiency days by a simple process such as reducing array output voltage, adding additional "unused" capacity would make sense for us. If it is done by a process which excessively heats the SMA circuitry, that would likely be a poor choice. My challenge is determining how the inverter accomplishes the MPPT feat when 30% above advertised capacity. Perhaps a direct call to SMA in Grass Valley would provide the answer... if they are allowed to speak beyond the basic spec sheet.

 

[mikesus]

Dunno if your installer told you, SMA sells an extended warranty. Its 10 years. You can purchase it up to the time that your current warranty is still valid. So 9 years 11 months in, buy the extended warranty. You are almost guaranteed that you will get a new inverter on it

 

[HighDesertDriver]

^^^
I'll certainly take a look at it. Thank you!

 

[RegGuheert]

If it dials down array output on high efficiency days by a simple process such as reducing array output voltage, adding additional "unused" capacity would make sense for us. If it is done by a process which excessively heats the SMA circuitry, that would likely be a poor choice. My challenge is determining how the inverter accomplishes the MPPT feat when 30% above advertised capacity.

No MPPT controller operates by keeping the PV panel at the maximum power point and converting the additional electricity to heat inside the inverter. They do it by simply increasing the operating voltage away from the maximum power point until the desired maximum output power is reached. That way, the PV panel operates at a slightly lower efficiency. The PV panel can easily handle this small amount of extra heat. (Note that the PV panel would dissipate even more heat if the inverter were turned off.)

By far, the much bigger concern that I would have about a string of 14 PV modules is the VOLTAGE. For 14 SolarWorld 275W modules, I calculate an open-circuit voltage of 551V under STC. My understanding of NEC is that you need the STC voltage to be below 480V so that 1.25 times your open-circuit voltage does not exceed the 600V rating of the inverter. If you ever get very cold, sunny temperatures anytime within the expected life of your inverter, you could destroy the inverter.

By my calculations, your inverter dies at about 23F with a string of 14 SolarWorld 275s and at about -22F with a string of 13. I think I would go with two strings of 13. (Three strings of 9 would exceed the current rating for the unit.)

 

[HighDesertDriver]

Thank you, Reg. I appreciate your input, and while it is unlikely daytime temperatures would drop into the 20s here on the edge of the Mojave Desert, I will take your recommended conservative approach and go with two strings of 13. If our inverter eventually dies of old age, perhaps we can replace it with a 7000W unit and add an additional panel back into each string. For now, I'll just be happy with four spares and "only" 250W of additional power. ;-)

 

[mikesus]

How timely... After talking about warranty, I get to test drive my SMA warranty.

We got power boxed (kids turn off your mains for fun... Thats what I get for NOT putting the lock back on it after installing our outdoor EVSE. :evil: )

So went to turn everything back on and bring the inverters back online... BANG! Breaker in the subpanel for the inverters tripped. Odd... Went to turn the breakers back on and BANG! and the 60a in the main panel trips also. Turned off the dc and breaker for the SMA 5000 and call the installer. (Plug for the guys at Streamline Solar, CJ called IMMEDIATELY and said he would be out the next day)

CJ checks L1 and L2 on the inverter and they are a DEAD short.

After a quick call to SMA, new inverter (the top half actually, they are modular) is on its way and should be installed Monday.

SMA was stumped why turning off mains would cause this... (shouldn't be any different than a power outage. )

While I am concerned that the unit somehow developed a dead short, I feel better knowing that the rest of the protections in the system took care of it. Additionally, I am AMAZED at the fast service from SMA! A friend with a dead froneus didn't fare so well...