25.9 KW

Ok, the other day we had another really good day for the panels and they produced 25.9 kw that day. Today and yesterday were cloudy and rainy.

FIrst Week

Well, the system has been up and running for 1 week now and the totals are listed below.
We used a total of 202 kw as indicated by the Entergy meter.
We delivered 84 Kw to the Entergy grid.

The system produced a total of 133.9 Kw.
This saved a total of 227.6 lbs of CO2.

I am pleased with the results considering this is during the winter solstice and several days of rain and clouds. This is also during the holiday season where we had a party and we are pretty much here at home most of the time.

On a good clear cool day the system produces about 25.23 Kw each day in the short days of winter.

First Day 18kw

Today I comissioned the system. No problems at all. I was off work today and was able to monitor the system. Today is December 18 2009, and winter solstice is very near. The irradiation factor was excellent today. Crystal blue skies, no clouds, cool temps. So pretty much this was an excellent day to get a reading on how the system will perform near the shortest day of the year. The system yield the most power output of 4320 kw at 1230 pm today. Total Kw hours credited to the Entergy meter was 18. Not bad.

Install Complete

The install is now completed

The install is now done. I have the signature from the Parish inspector and Entergy engineering has reviewed the design and their inspector came out today for the inspection. All was good and he said that this is one of the better installations that he has seen. The service meter was exchanged for a meter that records both incoming and outgoing energy use. I plan to commission the system tomorrow.

Update

This is a view of the wiring of the AC Disconnect. "Line" at the top. "Load" (to inverter) at bottom. Used #8 stranted copper.
System grounding is important. #6 Copper.
This is a photo of the wiring of the Sunny Boy DC disconnect.












Another view of DC disconnect.


Installation in process

Another good view of the AC disconnect.


I have now installed the Sunny Boy inverter and wired it per the manual. Both strings are attached appropriately to the DC cut off switch. All conduit is attached to the wall and secure. I also contacted and visited the Parish inspectors office and paid the fee for an inspection and electrical permit. The gentleman did arrive and examined the install and he had no issues with the work that was performed. He signed the permit and I asked him to go ahead and sign the forms that require his signature for the Entergy net metering application. He gladly performed the signatures needed and was courteous through out the entire inspection.

I have also contacted Entergy with the completed application and net metering agreement and faxed this to my assigned solar representative. Again, the Entergy representative was extremely helpful and accommodating. From what I understand, the Entergy representative is going to submit the application and technical data to the Entergy engineers for verification of grid tie compliance. Once this is done, a meter will be supplied by the Entergy technician and the net metering agreement will be signed. At that point I may commission the system. I am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

All Panels UP

Today I finished installing all 24 panels. I started at nine am and finished at seven am. The second half of the installation went much faster than the first in that I had figured out how to avoid some errors that had to be corrected.
To do: Hang the 150 pound Sunny Boy invertor on the mounting bracket. Install the dc strings in the Sunny Boy. Install the wiring from the Sunny Boy to the AC cut off switch. Get an inspection from the parish electrical inspector. Contact Entergy for grid tie approval and their insertion of the meter.

Panel Going Up

Today I received my splice plates and was able to to complete the installation of the rails, run the #6 copper ground and begin installing the panels. I checked the Voc of each panel prior to installation. All 33 volts. I have 6 of the 24 panels up. Tomorrow I will video the installation of the panels, I am doing this solo on a 45 degree pitch roof. (Quite a challenge but doable). Each panel weighs 40 pounds. Not heavy but very awkward on a 12/12 pitch roof. Solar Electric Supply from California has been very helpful througout the install, They have treated me fairly in all transactions. I highly recommend them for your solar needs. The photo's show me checking the Voc Open circuit voltage of each panel. All were 33 Volts.