fiberaddict (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fiberaddict) wrote2017-07-06 02:55 pm
fiberaddict) wrote2017-07-06 02:55 pm
Entry tags:
I think....
that we have single-handedly reversed N. Texas' drought. :lol: It has rained So Much since we went solar.....:rofl:
A few things I've been asked about:
1. No, we can't tell any difference between solar and grid power. It switches seamlessly.
2. So far, we've been producing more than we're using - which is what you want (well, actually, the power company says we want to "break even".......I'm more than happy to produce more than we need.) You want to NOT pay for your electric, right? Right.
3. SG went a little overboard - he requested MORE panels than the installer recommended (see #2, above). I'm kinda glad - it was overcast yesterday (when the meter finally got changed), and we were STILL pulling in 20 watts......the co-op employee was impressed. So was I!
Quick lesson:
When you decide you want to go solar, there's a LOT to do. First, find a company. There's a LOT out there - get quotes. LOTS of quotes. Ours ranged from $20K - $65K, with most being in the top tier. Don't go for Names - the highest quote was from Treehouse, who uses Tesla inverters. We have Solar Edge - they work the same, as do the panels.
Expect this to take TIME. Our co-op is shocked at how fast we went from "how do we...." calls from our installer to done; he said it normally takes at least a month. We? Took 1.5 WEEKS. :blink:
Make sure you have South-facing roof. We have panels on 2 sides - the South and East. South is the ideal - any face will work, but it's better on the South.
The panels are on the roof, or you can have a....stand made for them. Or put them on a carport. If I have roof issues, the panels will have to come down.......that's gonna cost. Fortunately we have a new roof....still. Something to think about.
You will have a largish box on your house, near the master panel. MOST people have the panel in the garage, so it's not a major issue. Our panel is on the OUTside, off of Herself's bedroom. :sigh: SG didn't want an ugly box hanging off the brick (the inverter HAS to be protected from the weather), so he had them put it in the linen closet in the hall off of Herself's room. Upshot - it's "pretty", but I lost 3 shelves of storage. I'll live...but it's something to think about.
Anyway, it's raining again. You're welcome! :snicker:
In other news....
SIL has gone back home. FIL is OK, but.....well, he's really showing his age. He ended up at the ER last Sunday, but came straight home. We went over for Brexit 1776 Day.....he was on O2 the whole time. And looked and acted weak. We're concerned, but there's not a lot we can do. :sigh:
SIL and Herself and I ran to an Antique Mall after we stuffed ourselves. Herself got a vest for a Bonnie cosplay; SIL got a few things. On our way back to the house, SIL got.......not lost, no........disoriented. Yeah. That. :snicker: Anyway, we discovered a yarn store - that was OPEN. :whee!: I came home with 2 new skeins.....and a new place to shop. :lol:
Yesterday we vegged. Sunday, SG wanted the PODS emptied......then went to bed. The kids and I got our stuff out, but didn't know what to do with his stuff. He didn't either. :snicker: Yesterday, the 3 of us started getting Herself's Studio squared away - we are each dealing with 2 boxes/day. Slow, yes, but it's getting done. I spent a few hours yesterday getting my Studio in shape....have a way to go, but it has to get done.....there's a lot of stuff in Herself's Studio that is actually mine. :sigh: I've gone thru a LOT of trash bags in the past 2 days........
A few things I've been asked about:
1. No, we can't tell any difference between solar and grid power. It switches seamlessly.
2. So far, we've been producing more than we're using - which is what you want (well, actually, the power company says we want to "break even".......I'm more than happy to produce more than we need.) You want to NOT pay for your electric, right? Right.
3. SG went a little overboard - he requested MORE panels than the installer recommended (see #2, above). I'm kinda glad - it was overcast yesterday (when the meter finally got changed), and we were STILL pulling in 20 watts......the co-op employee was impressed. So was I!
Quick lesson:
When you decide you want to go solar, there's a LOT to do. First, find a company. There's a LOT out there - get quotes. LOTS of quotes. Ours ranged from $20K - $65K, with most being in the top tier. Don't go for Names - the highest quote was from Treehouse, who uses Tesla inverters. We have Solar Edge - they work the same, as do the panels.
Expect this to take TIME. Our co-op is shocked at how fast we went from "how do we...." calls from our installer to done; he said it normally takes at least a month. We? Took 1.5 WEEKS. :blink:
Make sure you have South-facing roof. We have panels on 2 sides - the South and East. South is the ideal - any face will work, but it's better on the South.
The panels are on the roof, or you can have a....stand made for them. Or put them on a carport. If I have roof issues, the panels will have to come down.......that's gonna cost. Fortunately we have a new roof....still. Something to think about.
You will have a largish box on your house, near the master panel. MOST people have the panel in the garage, so it's not a major issue. Our panel is on the OUTside, off of Herself's bedroom. :sigh: SG didn't want an ugly box hanging off the brick (the inverter HAS to be protected from the weather), so he had them put it in the linen closet in the hall off of Herself's room. Upshot - it's "pretty", but I lost 3 shelves of storage. I'll live...but it's something to think about.
Anyway, it's raining again. You're welcome! :snicker:
In other news....
SIL has gone back home. FIL is OK, but.....well, he's really showing his age. He ended up at the ER last Sunday, but came straight home. We went over for Brexit 1776 Day.....he was on O2 the whole time. And looked and acted weak. We're concerned, but there's not a lot we can do. :sigh:
SIL and Herself and I ran to an Antique Mall after we stuffed ourselves. Herself got a vest for a Bonnie cosplay; SIL got a few things. On our way back to the house, SIL got.......not lost, no........disoriented. Yeah. That. :snicker: Anyway, we discovered a yarn store - that was OPEN. :whee!: I came home with 2 new skeins.....and a new place to shop. :lol:
Yesterday we vegged. Sunday, SG wanted the PODS emptied......then went to bed. The kids and I got our stuff out, but didn't know what to do with his stuff. He didn't either. :snicker: Yesterday, the 3 of us started getting Herself's Studio squared away - we are each dealing with 2 boxes/day. Slow, yes, but it's getting done. I spent a few hours yesterday getting my Studio in shape....have a way to go, but it has to get done.....there's a lot of stuff in Herself's Studio that is actually mine. :sigh: I've gone thru a LOT of trash bags in the past 2 days........