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I am going solar

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by usbseawolf2000, Feb 16, 2015.

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  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It is not. I'll be using public infrastructure and the reliability of fossil fuel to achieve it.

    Reinforcement of the roof was done yesterday. I am expecting the inverter, wiring and panel rails to be installed on Monday.
     
    #181 usbseawolf2000, Apr 23, 2015
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Ok, the install has been pushed back two weeks.

    I have spare shingle of my roof in the garage that the previous owner left. It still had the original packaging so I googled it.

    It is Johns Manville Seal-O-Matic Shingle. Looks like they were made and sold in the 50's and 60's so they are 50-60 years old.

    Amazingly, they are still in great condition. The roof guy that came to reinforced couldn't believe they are that old and think they are about 10 years old.

    Due to this new piece of information, I have decided to resurface the roof.
     
    #182 usbseawolf2000, Apr 27, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i fear what may be in those shingles.:p
     
    #183 bisco, Apr 27, 2015
  4. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    Like a fibrous material that starts with "a" and ends with "s" that was banned in 1973?
     
    #184 rxlawdude, Apr 27, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sure worked well though, didn't it? kinda like brake pads.
     
    #185 bisco, Apr 28, 2015
  6. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The packaging does not say anything to indicate it. No "Fire-Glass" or "Fire-King". However, it is likely it contains those minerals. Thanks guys for bringing it into my attention.
     
    #186 usbseawolf2000, Apr 28, 2015
  7. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    seems my recollection is that some brake pads had it into the 80's.
    "fire resistant gloves ... thinking maybe ... 76? Maybe that was exhausting inventory?
    EDIT:
    Looks like it turns on how and what it was used for ....
    U.S. Federal Bans on Asbestos | Asbestos | US EPA
    .
     
    #187 hill, May 8, 2015
  8. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    Being in healthcare, I saw too many cases of asbestosis and the unfortunate effects it has on pulmonary function, so I have a healthy aversion to any asbestos fiber containing products. :)
     
    #188 rxlawdude, May 8, 2015
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Got the new roof done with IKO Cambridge 3D architecture shingles. PV panel railings and optimizes will get installed tomorrow.

    New Roof.jpg
     
    #189 usbseawolf2000, May 12, 2015
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  10. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    Which side of the house faces south?
     
    #190 giora, May 12, 2015
  11. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    90 degree Azimuth is East and 180 is South. The front of the house is 108 degree. The side facing the driveway would be 198 deg.
     
    #191 usbseawolf2000, May 12, 2015
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  12. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Did my research and got Solaredge as well. Good choice!

    Wow, your payback is like half of my parents' system!

    Using Solaredge's own monitoring works just fine for me. I forsee things in your future (says the fortune teller...)
     

    Attached Files:

    #192 jzchen, May 12, 2015
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
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  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Nice production. We won't have as much sun hours as you in CA. I will report back when my system is up and running.

    It looks like there are 28 or 29 panels so it is similar to mine. Which model is the SE inverter? I requested 7600A even though I won't need that much power but I am smart enough to know the efficiency curve.
     
    #193 usbseawolf2000, May 14, 2015
  14. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    There are two inverters. There is one 6k and one 3k. The 6k handles the 18 towards the top of the layout (facing south) and the 3k handles the 10 on the left side of the layout (facing east). Two strings for the 6k, denoted 2.1.x and 2.2.x. One string for the 3k denoted 1.x.x.

    Very happy with SolarEdge so far. Pretty much no limitation on panel power/choice vs microinverters, it tracks each panel separately like a microinverter, and it moves the inverter electronics to a centrally located location which can be isolated from the harsh environment of the rooftop. (My parents' inverters are in the garage.) Also has some safety features due to the way it is designed as well, ie. less risk of electrocution when going on the roof.
     
    #194 jzchen, May 14, 2015
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
  15. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    The 7600A has a "Maximum DC Power (STC)" of 10250W. Wow, do you think you may need that much room to grow? Maybe better stick with something less. As my parents' is, there are two inverters, one for each array direction. The system does wonders for MPPT and such, but I thought it may work better for each "array" to have it's own inverter, ie. south facing 1, and east facing 1.

    Those are 18 SunPower 327W panels facing south and 10 327W panels facing east on my parents' roof. Total Maximum DC output (STC): 9156W. The 6000A back when we purchased ours handles 7500W and the 3000A handles 3750W.

    They have since improved the specs to 8100W and 4050W respectively.
     
    #195 jzchen, May 14, 2015
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
  16. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Wow, Sunpower panels. I can't afford them :)

    I want to oversize the inverter so it runs cooler and quieter. The efficiency also drops near peak as well.
     
    #196 usbseawolf2000, May 14, 2015
  17. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Up to 6000A use Natural Convection to cool. No fans. Pretty quiet, although I don't really have experience with other inverters. 7600A does have a fan. Note on the specs that 7600A < 50 dBA, but the lower ones are < 25 dBA.

    I'm honestly not sure where efficiency is best, but was told to attempt to maximize the inverter capacity.

    About SunPower, they are backed by 25 years of 80% Minimum Peak Power. The other PV seller's 1st option I believe was 40 panels basically all over the S, E, and W roof.
     
    #197 jzchen, May 14, 2015
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
  18. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I'd rather have a fan. 7600A is listed as "Natural convection and internal fan (user replaceable)". So, I guess it will only come on if needed.
     
    #198 usbseawolf2000, May 14, 2015
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Rails and module optimizers have been installed front and back of he house. They forgot to install the front lower level ones. When I asked about it, I got a lame excuse that the shingles were too hot and soft bullsh*t. The rail guys will have to come back.

    Tomorrow, the electrician will come and install the inverter and any interior wiring.

    The town rough inspection earliest availability is 5/25. Once it passes the inspection, the panels will go up. It will be a painful wait.

    Front Rails and Optimizers.jpg Rear Rails and Optimizers.JPG
     
    #199 usbseawolf2000, May 14, 2015
  20. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Yikes, there's a rough inpsection! Once we finally came to agreement the process was really quick, I think three or four days. Approval was quite easy from the city and waiting for SCE to allow use was not very long later.

    Definitely understand having issues with the seller/installer, although the installation crew was great to work with overall.
     
    #200 jzchen, May 14, 2015
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