Monday, November 29, 2010
October Totals
October had some rainy, cloudy days, and the days started getting shorter, so here we are:
Friday, October 22, 2010
My utility bills last 24 months
Here is a graphic with my last 24 months of electricity payments and usage.
The solar panels went online January 29th, 2010, so the effect will be seen after that.
I'm happy with the results, and my October bill is set to be about $23.
What I like What I like especially is how I have been able to cut my "On Peak" usage (the most expensive kind) down to nothing since March. That $15K number you see in April is just because they had to manually figure that because their automated system cannot yet deal with NEGATIVE readings from the meter going backward. That total was in there before it was manually adjusted, and the human who did that just didn't correct the huge number. I had no payment for April, and in fact, they paid me $22.04 for solar power generation which exceeded my usage by quite a bit. They do that at the end of every April. If my estimates hold, I will be paid about $55 for next April.especially is how I have been able to cut my "On Peak" usage (the most expensive kind) down to nothing since March. That $15K number you see in April is just because they had to manually figure that because their automated system cannot yet deal with NEGATIVE readings from the meter going backward. That total was in there before it was manually adjusted, and the human who did that just didn't correct the huge number. I had no payment for April, and in fact, they paid me $22.04 for solar power generation which exceeded my usage by quite a bit. They do that at the end of every April. If my estimates hold, I will be paid about $55 for next April.
The solar panels went online January 29th, 2010, so the effect will be seen after that.
I'm happy with the results, and my October bill is set to be about $23.
What I like What I like especially is how I have been able to cut my "On Peak" usage (the most expensive kind) down to nothing since March. That $15K number you see in April is just because they had to manually figure that because their automated system cannot yet deal with NEGATIVE readings from the meter going backward. That total was in there before it was manually adjusted, and the human who did that just didn't correct the huge number. I had no payment for April, and in fact, they paid me $22.04 for solar power generation which exceeded my usage by quite a bit. They do that at the end of every April. If my estimates hold, I will be paid about $55 for next April.especially is how I have been able to cut my "On Peak" usage (the most expensive kind) down to nothing since March. That $15K number you see in April is just because they had to manually figure that because their automated system cannot yet deal with NEGATIVE readings from the meter going backward. That total was in there before it was manually adjusted, and the human who did that just didn't correct the huge number. I had no payment for April, and in fact, they paid me $22.04 for solar power generation which exceeded my usage by quite a bit. They do that at the end of every April. If my estimates hold, I will be paid about $55 for next April.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Future Forecasting looks SCHWEET !!!
My spreadsheet where I keep up with my daily usage allows me to "guesstimate" future monthly totals and future electric bills.
The latest estimates show me having at least 7 months of the coming year where I will be paying the MINIMUM PAYMENT to my utility company, which is a whopping $16.41.
I'm liking this situation. A Lot.
The latest estimates show me having at least 7 months of the coming year where I will be paying the MINIMUM PAYMENT to my utility company, which is a whopping $16.41.
I'm liking this situation. A Lot.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
July Totals hampered by Monsoon Season
July was not TOO awful. Lot of days I lost production due to "Monsoon Season" cloudiness.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
SolarCity Referral Cha-Ching Cha-Ching !!!
Got one of my co-workers signed up, and he's like the energizer bunny when it comes to pushing ideas onto people. He's having a rep come speak to his HOA board. Expect to get a lot of referrals from him, and I get some CASH-OLA for every new referral who powers up a system. This could get even more profitable.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Best. Day. Evar.
Best day so far. 28.29 kwh produced. It was a "coolish" day with a high around 80, so that helped.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunny Side Up
Everything looking good on the solar generation front this month. May is shaping up to be the best month so far, averaging around 26 kwh per day through the 10th.
My electric bill should be around NEGATIVE $10 next month, after factoring in what SRP is going to buy from me from my over-generation.
I'm all smiles.....:)
My electric bill should be around NEGATIVE $10 next month, after factoring in what SRP is going to buy from me from my over-generation.
I'm all smiles.....:)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
April a Sterling Month
April was a good month for production. Give me 12 of these every year and I'm a happy solar panel owner....:)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Savings as of 4-29-2010
Here is a little pic from a spreadsheet showing my actual calculated solar panel savings so far.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Energy Enhancement Rundown
Here is a review of all the energy enhancements I have applied to my home.
1. Home was originally built with Low-E windows and R-49 attic loose-fill insulation. I inspected the insulation after I moved in and it was "shallow" in some areas and so I had them come out and spruce it up. I gave the installer a $20 bill to get a "little extra" here and there.
2. I have always only used CFL bulbs and/or LED bulbs since move-in day in April 2004.
3. I installed ceiling fans in the living room and master bedroom, and I use them when I'm in those rooms.
4. I tinted some internal windows myself, and had a company install Hüper Optik tint on some of the other windows.
5. I paid $1600 for radiant barrier foil sheets to be installed in the attic. This slows the progress of heat build-up in the attic and allows the two solar-panel-powered attic vent fans to eliminate much of that heat before it gets into the livable portions of the house.
6. I paid $800 for two solar-panel-powered attic vent fans.
7. I painted the inside of my garage door with ceramic-infused paint to block heat. It gets late-day western sun. I also applied insulated heat-reflective foil to the inside of the garage door.
8. I paid $3700 for an "Energy Management Computer" which controls how much On-Peak air conditioning is allowed to run. This saves about 15% on energy bills by allowing me to pre-cool the house during Off-Peak hours and then running the A/C very sparingly during On-Peak hours.
9. I bought an AirTap "heat pump water heater" from a company named AirGenerate. It mounts on top of your regular water heater and uses a compressor to extract heat from the surrounding air to heat a copper tube inserted into the top of the regular water heater. As a part of that installation, I replaced my regular electric water heater with a Marathon electric water heater, which is better insulated and far more efficient than a regular water heater. I added a timer to the AirTap and only run it during Off-Peak hours. This setup cost me $2100. The heating elements on the Marathon are not even turned on.
10. As a part of the home purchase, I had faux-wood blinds installed on every window in the home, as well as dark sun screens on the outside of the windows.
11. All the appliances I bought with the house are Energy Star rated, including the front-loading Whirpool washer and dryer set. I dry my clothes on the "extra low" setting, and always wash with cold water, using "Cold Water Tide" as my soap.
12. I bought a Spin-X spin dryer back when I had a regular washer. It spins clothes at 3500 rpm and removes a lot of water from clothes between the washer and putting them into the regular dryer. I also have a drying rack in the garage I use for many of the clothes, and that reduces their drying time even more. The washer is large enough that I only have 3 loads per week.
13. I immediately installed a programmable Hunter thermostat, which allows me full control over when and how the home is heated or cooled. This reduces wasted cooling or heating time.
14. Solar panels on the roof through Solar City. This will allow me to generate somewhere around 85% of my electricity from the sun.
So. That's what I've done. Why don't I have a net zero usage home? Good question.
1. Home was originally built with Low-E windows and R-49 attic loose-fill insulation. I inspected the insulation after I moved in and it was "shallow" in some areas and so I had them come out and spruce it up. I gave the installer a $20 bill to get a "little extra" here and there.
2. I have always only used CFL bulbs and/or LED bulbs since move-in day in April 2004.
3. I installed ceiling fans in the living room and master bedroom, and I use them when I'm in those rooms.
4. I tinted some internal windows myself, and had a company install Hüper Optik tint on some of the other windows.
5. I paid $1600 for radiant barrier foil sheets to be installed in the attic. This slows the progress of heat build-up in the attic and allows the two solar-panel-powered attic vent fans to eliminate much of that heat before it gets into the livable portions of the house.
6. I paid $800 for two solar-panel-powered attic vent fans.
7. I painted the inside of my garage door with ceramic-infused paint to block heat. It gets late-day western sun. I also applied insulated heat-reflective foil to the inside of the garage door.
8. I paid $3700 for an "Energy Management Computer" which controls how much On-Peak air conditioning is allowed to run. This saves about 15% on energy bills by allowing me to pre-cool the house during Off-Peak hours and then running the A/C very sparingly during On-Peak hours.
9. I bought an AirTap "heat pump water heater" from a company named AirGenerate. It mounts on top of your regular water heater and uses a compressor to extract heat from the surrounding air to heat a copper tube inserted into the top of the regular water heater. As a part of that installation, I replaced my regular electric water heater with a Marathon electric water heater, which is better insulated and far more efficient than a regular water heater. I added a timer to the AirTap and only run it during Off-Peak hours. This setup cost me $2100. The heating elements on the Marathon are not even turned on.
10. As a part of the home purchase, I had faux-wood blinds installed on every window in the home, as well as dark sun screens on the outside of the windows.
11. All the appliances I bought with the house are Energy Star rated, including the front-loading Whirpool washer and dryer set. I dry my clothes on the "extra low" setting, and always wash with cold water, using "Cold Water Tide" as my soap.
12. I bought a Spin-X spin dryer back when I had a regular washer. It spins clothes at 3500 rpm and removes a lot of water from clothes between the washer and putting them into the regular dryer. I also have a drying rack in the garage I use for many of the clothes, and that reduces their drying time even more. The washer is large enough that I only have 3 loads per week.
13. I immediately installed a programmable Hunter thermostat, which allows me full control over when and how the home is heated or cooled. This reduces wasted cooling or heating time.
14. Solar panels on the roof through Solar City. This will allow me to generate somewhere around 85% of my electricity from the sun.
So. That's what I've done. Why don't I have a net zero usage home? Good question.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Referral Bonus Cha-Ching !!
Signed up a co-worker for the same solar lease I got. On the day they connect his system to the utility, they will send me a $400 check, of which $100 goes to him. We (he and I) are working on getting two more co-workers signed up, and I am working on getting my employer to look into it also - a $1000 referral bonus.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Early Report on the EZ-3 Plan
Well, after the first 5 days on the EZ-3 plan, it looks good. I'm sitting at -6 for On Peak kwh and at -43 for Off Peak kwh. I think this plan is going to be better for me.
Today I had Advanced Home Systems come by and "reprogram" my Energy Management Computer to work properly in the 3-6 PM time frame. This will become important very soon when I turn on the A/C unit.
Today I had Advanced Home Systems come by and "reprogram" my Energy Management Computer to work properly in the 3-6 PM time frame. This will become important very soon when I turn on the A/C unit.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Made a Major Change To Electric Bill
Switched over to the "EZ-3 Plan" for my electric bill. This gives me only 3 hours per day ( 3-6 PM) with "On Peak" charges (the most expensive hours ). Since we usually get home around 4:30-5:30, this puts us home for a very short time during highest cost times.
On the plan I switched FROM, the On Peak hours were 5-9 AM and 5-9 PM for On Peak, and the rest Off Peak for November thru April. The On Peak hours the rest of the year were 1-8 PM.
So now I have only 3 hours On Peak versus 8 or 7 hours. And instead of being home in the afternoons mostly on the On Peak hours, we have at most 1.5 hours of On Peak when we are home in the afternoons.
I can't switch back for 12 months, so here's hoping this WILL actually save me a little money. We shall see.
On the plan I switched FROM, the On Peak hours were 5-9 AM and 5-9 PM for On Peak, and the rest Off Peak for November thru April. The On Peak hours the rest of the year were 1-8 PM.
So now I have only 3 hours On Peak versus 8 or 7 hours. And instead of being home in the afternoons mostly on the On Peak hours, we have at most 1.5 hours of On Peak when we are home in the afternoons.
I can't switch back for 12 months, so here's hoping this WILL actually save me a little money. We shall see.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Bad news for SolarCity referrals
SRP has "capped" residential solar incentives at 5 kw systems. This puts a lot of larger homes ( > 1,500 sq ft ) out of contention because you need at least a system that size to make a good dent into a high electric bill.
This really blows for referrals. Not many homes I would refer are small enough to make use of a 5 kw system.
BOO !!! BOO !!!!
This really blows for referrals. Not many homes I would refer are small enough to make use of a 5 kw system.
BOO !!! BOO !!!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Record-high production
Have now consecutive days of "record high" production numbers.
A 27.46 followed by a 27.91.
Wondering when I might see my first 30. How about summer, with almost 2 more hours of sun? Can I hit 35?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April billing period looking, um, SCHWEEEET !!!
Looking great for this period. On schedule to have a calculated bill of -$25.00 thus far, through the 5th.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
March Production ROCKED !!!
March the panels produced:
leaving me with an SRP bill of $19.35.
At this rate, for a year I'll make 7,662 kwh, which would provide me with 88% of my needs, based on the prior 12 months.
716.91 kwh
leaving me with an SRP bill of $19.35.
At this rate, for a year I'll make 7,662 kwh, which would provide me with 88% of my needs, based on the prior 12 months.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunshine, On My Panels, Makes Me HAPPY !!!
Generatin' like a MoFo this past few days, since El Nino FINALLY took the clouds away.
Already this month I have more 20+ kwh days than I had in all of February.
Looks like the SRP bill might be as low as $26 this month.....Woo-Hoo !!!
Already this month I have more 20+ kwh days than I had in all of February.
Looks like the SRP bill might be as low as $26 this month.....Woo-Hoo !!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Long Time Between Posts
Sorry about the long break b/n posts.......been really busy at work and at home.
Anyway, yesterday 3-11-2010 was my highest production thus far from the system : 26.66 kwh. That bests the previous high of 25.64 kwh.
Interesting fact: Both of my top 2 production days had a high temp of 62 degrees. Coincidence or related? Is 62 degrees the "sweet spot" for production temperatures? HHHmmm.....
It was cool (62 degrees for high) and sunny all day, which I am learning makes for a good production day - panels don't get too hot, and the sun hits them most of the day.
Looking forward to seeing what I start getting as the days get longer but the temps heat up a little bit.
Anyway, yesterday 3-11-2010 was my highest production thus far from the system : 26.66 kwh. That bests the previous high of 25.64 kwh.
Interesting fact: Both of my top 2 production days had a high temp of 62 degrees. Coincidence or related? Is 62 degrees the "sweet spot" for production temperatures? HHHmmm.....
It was cool (62 degrees for high) and sunny all day, which I am learning makes for a good production day - panels don't get too hot, and the sun hits them most of the day.
Looking forward to seeing what I start getting as the days get longer but the temps heat up a little bit.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Cranking Along
Stats so far, through Friday 2-19-2010:
Days with solar panels working: 21.5
Average Daily kwh produced: 20.00
Lowest daily production: 9.33 (rainy day)
Highest daily production: 23.96 (95% sunny)
Net Total kwh usage since start of system: -57 kwh. (that's MINUS 57)
Thus far, very pleased with the system. Anxious to see what I get as the days get longer.
Days with solar panels working: 21.5
Average Daily kwh produced: 20.00
Lowest daily production: 9.33 (rainy day)
Highest daily production: 23.96 (95% sunny)
Net Total kwh usage since start of system: -57 kwh. (that's MINUS 57)
Thus far, very pleased with the system. Anxious to see what I get as the days get longer.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Bowl Sunday Smoking Sun
The solar panels are really cranking today, on this "partly cloudy" Sunday.
I saw an instantaneous reading of 3839 watts, which considering the rated max is 4100 watts is a pretty high reading.
In that half hour, the system produced 1.80 kwh, the most it has produced in any 30-minute span since it was installed.
I saw an instantaneous reading of 3839 watts, which considering the rated max is 4100 watts is a pretty high reading.
In that half hour, the system produced 1.80 kwh, the most it has produced in any 30-minute span since it was installed.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Approaching Zero
Since Friday the 30th, my solar panels have generated all but 56 cents of the electricity I have used. By the end of today, it will be take me below zero cents. I like sunshine. :)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
So far, $21 generated.
Looking like my system will generate about $105 of power every month. I can deal with that number !!
All you folks who have homes with a south-facing roof should look into a SolarCity lease. No money down, and you start saving on your electric bill the day they turn it on. It's a "win-win."
All you folks who have homes with a south-facing roof should look into a SolarCity lease. No money down, and you start saving on your electric bill the day they turn it on. It's a "win-win."
Monday, February 1, 2010
After the first weekend - looking good !!
After the first 3 days (not even 3 full days because Friday the 29th started at 10:00 A.M.) the system has produced 56.00 kwh of electricity.
As a comparison, my last 5 Friday-Sunday usage average is 67.60. So the system would have provided 83% of my need, which is right in line with what I had estimated at the outset.
As a comparison, my last 5 Friday-Sunday usage average is 67.60. So the system would have provided 83% of my need, which is right in line with what I had estimated at the outset.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Just Feedin' the Grid, Just Feedin' the Grid
Solar went online at 10:01 A.M. today, Friday, January 29, 2010.
As of 2:56 P.M. it has generated 11.93 kwh. That's almost as much as a use on a normal weekday. I have averaged using 16.7 kwh per day the last two weeks (on weekdays.)
So I'm thinking that it's pretty much certain that on a weekday when I get a full day of sunshine, I'll be producing more than I use.
Awesome !!!
As of 2:56 P.M. it has generated 11.93 kwh. That's almost as much as a use on a normal weekday. I have averaged using 16.7 kwh per day the last two weeks (on weekdays.)
So I'm thinking that it's pretty much certain that on a weekday when I get a full day of sunshine, I'll be producing more than I use.
Awesome !!!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Second case of "Premature Excitation"
Arrived home yesterday (1-25-10) and saw a green SRP tag on the solar disconnect panel. Whoop Whoop !! I ran over there, saw "Approved" and immediately called SolarCity for "turn-on" instructions.
Turned on the inverter, the disconnect power, and the breaker box power.
After boot-up, the Inverter said, "voltage fault 0.0V." Sigh. I called SolarCity back, and the guy said "I'm pretty sure there are 3 SRP inspections, and the FINAL one has to be done with a SolarCity rep present, so you can't turn it on yet. I will start a ticket on the "0.0V" issue too, so when the final inspection is done by the end of this week, when it gets turned on, everything will be working properly."
We shall see.
Turned on the inverter, the disconnect power, and the breaker box power.
After boot-up, the Inverter said, "voltage fault 0.0V." Sigh. I called SolarCity back, and the guy said "I'm pretty sure there are 3 SRP inspections, and the FINAL one has to be done with a SolarCity rep present, so you can't turn it on yet. I will start a ticket on the "0.0V" issue too, so when the final inspection is done by the end of this week, when it gets turned on, everything will be working properly."
We shall see.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wow - Solar City responds quickly
Solar City has the installers out today (Wednesday 1-20-2010) to get the rivets put on the ID tags. That's pretty fast. Maybe only another week before SRP gets back out? We shall see....:)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Case of Premature Excitation
Arrived home yesterday afternoon (Monday 1-18-2010) and saw an SRP document hanging on the solar breaker !! Cha-Ching! I thought to myself - we have approval, I can turn it on today !!
Alas, it was a FAILURE REPORT !!!!
Failed because the SolarCity ID panels, those little metal black information labels on the breakers, are required to be "pop riveted" onto the breakers, not merely glued on like they currently are.
Wouldn't you think SolarCity installers would KNOW that, already? Guess not.
So I called SolarCity and they said they'd get a team right back out there to take care of this. I would guess this would cost me AT LEAST another 10 days.
GRRR !!!!!
Alas, it was a FAILURE REPORT !!!!
Failed because the SolarCity ID panels, those little metal black information labels on the breakers, are required to be "pop riveted" onto the breakers, not merely glued on like they currently are.
Wouldn't you think SolarCity installers would KNOW that, already? Guess not.
So I called SolarCity and they said they'd get a team right back out there to take care of this. I would guess this would cost me AT LEAST another 10 days.
GRRR !!!!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
City Inspection finished, waiting on SRP Inspection
Thursday, January 7, 2010
City Inspection today or Friday
The City inspection is planned for today 1-7-2010 or tomorrow. SRP inspection to follow in 2-4 weeks. This is taking longer than I had hoped. Now the "turn-on date" is likely the first week in Feb.
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