First Month Results

The first month results are as follows: The service meter delivered 757 kwh and 362 kwh were credited from the solar panels. The solar panels produced a total of 493.1 kwh over 257 hours of operation. This saved 838.8 pounds of CO2.

I was hoping for a litte more credited but there was nearly a week of cloudy, rainy weather. It was also a record cold front that persisted here for about 2 weeks. In addition this is the short winter days. Anyway, we shall see about next month.

Numbers Update 3rd Week

After 3 weeks of use the solar panels have produced 350.6 kwh and saved 596 lbs of CO2. Total operational time of the inverter is 189 hours. It has been very cold lately and we have been using the central heat some along with our gas heat. We have used a total of 550 kwh over the 3 weeks and the solar panels have credited 244 kwh to the service meter. So, if the meter were read today, we would have to pay for 306 kwh. Not too bad considering the short winter days and lots of rain and clouds. I have seen that the majority of our kw use is through hot water. My wife takes 2 or 3 baths a day and my little girl takes 1 bath per day (you have to make her), and I shower daily. I think this system is going to do well for our family.

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.