Residential Solar

My latest electric bill. I’m very happy with the production.

 

I am overpanelled because I have shade issues on the east and south sides. I have 20 x 400w panels. On paper, I should only need 15-16 panels. Ostentatiously it is a 8000w system that in the right circumstances could put out a lot more than it does. Our aim was to offset my usage plus 30% to account for increased use of my mini-split more during winter which I believe totaled around 6,250kwh. I am right around 7,000 kwh per year in production. My shallow roof does not help during winter but performs quite well during summer. I have a neighbor a block away that has a more typically steep roof who have panels on the side facing me (their east) and the snow does not stay on there for very long. But at the same time, I would guess, they don't produce as well during summer - it's all a give and take.

Part of the success of meeting my goals was the company and their rep, part of it was me knowing my site well and advocating for equal use of the west side roof (and deciding on an eve 20 panels instead of 18).

I believe you, Canadian border VT , have a wide open area and won't have shade challenges, so it would be easier. Also, if you have ground mount, the snow challenges would be less. You may be able to do a ground tiltable array - not a tracker - one that you tilt for optimum exposure according to the seasons and leave stationary for several months.

 

Another thing I just thought of Canadian border VT is that bi-facial panels are nearly as cheap as regular panels now (and those really came down in price since I put my system up in late 2022). Those would really help during winter as they would also gather reflections off the snow behind the array.

Oh, and with a ground mount, you want to make sure the array poles are high enough to account for snow pack so the lower panels aren't buried late in the season.

 

Thanks for info; yes when rep came I told him I wanted taller poles for snow and to easily mow around it. He told me no..

 

Doesn't sound like much of a rep especially if he didn't give you good reasons as to why he wouldn't.

 

Not in my area. they are restricted to within 10% of your annual usage when sizing the system. Or the solar panel enforcement team will show up.....I guess!

Seriously, when I was pursuing a system, I did specifically ask them about this. I was with the belief that they could "over panel"
but was told now. I believe it is something to do with the power companies ability to still keep some form of control.

Probably set up by their lobbyists/politicians a few years ago..........

 

See ya buddy...

 

I was told the same thing here in NJ. You can get paid (pennies on the dollar of course) for up to 5% over production. If you produce more than 105% of your needs, the utility company just keeps it. Just as you said...lobbyists and politician!

 

Consider context when using the word 'overpaneling'.

 

His explanation was they would need an engineer to determine how much stronger of steel they need and the amount extra concrete to stabilize the pole, reasonable enough. Pole needed to be within 100’ of breaker box because of voltage drop. Understandable but my legs were going and I weedwack enough. Tall grass encourages ticks snakes and other wildlife.. Sun Common was provider

 

Know that is a nimo bill I would gladly open

 

Geeze, it's not like you have to put blinking red aircraft warning lights on it! A simple 4-5 feet higher would work!

 

???????????

 

The last time I checked, it was still a one to one match for over production. Downstate is a different story.

 

That, exactly. I am "over paneled" in nominal array output capability (8,000), but the expected production is a different story. This is from my estimate (I misremembered in my earlier post when I stated, "which I believe totaled around 6,250kwh".



You really need to do your homework where you live to make sure you understand available plans for your state/utility to make an informed decision.

Interesting - not that they would need an engineer, but they wouldn't have access to one and accommodation plans for charges. My install company had engineers on staff (or retainer) and before they would even apply for permits from the town, they had an engineering report for roof load analysis (to make sure they didn't need extra braces/knee walls) and the PE stamp . It was part of the contract and the $1,000 deposit covered that cost.

It may behoove you to ask other companies out to do a quote, or at least see what they say. I mean I get it, the mountings have to be rated for expected winds. The higher up they are, especially on top of a hill, the stronger the system needs to be.

 

bogieb I agree; I built housing I have septic, structural, truss engineers contacts in my phone.
I was only asking for extra 3 feet

 

It goes well with my $13 gas bill.

 

I can cut apple or birch trees.. I got the tools
The big pines behind me No; they are 700 ish feet from house and insure I am completely ignorant of what’s going on by the road