Can I charge with a solar array?

do they rebate the cost of installing a separate meter as well?

 

The total cost of the submeter, permits, installation, etc. It's limited to $2,000 though. I have an electrician coming to give me as estimate, but he's on vacation until the 10th.

 

If you just want to charge the car, you don't need a 30 KW system. I don't really understand why you need a 30 KW system in general. As mentioned earlier, most systems are in the 3-10 KW range. Keep in mind that a full charge on the PiP is under 3.5 KWh

 

30 kW still seems like a lot. First thing to do is look at your annual electrical consumption. And then start looking for places to improve. Like replacing the pool pump with a variable speed model. Upgrading the furnace and/or AC unit. Using a gas dryer instead of an electric one. Changing incandescent bulbs for LED or CFLs. Replacing other inefficient appliances.

 

You'll easily spend upwards of $2000 on just the purchase and installation of the EVSE itself. The additional installation of the submeter could force you to do some expensive upgrades on your main panel. Just something to be aware of.

 

The POCO has a legitimate interest in making sure that your system is wired properly. Especially at the point where it's connected to your household's main panel. Bad wiring could cause all sorts of problems for them upstream, and damage things in your house, or cause a fire. And it's not just bad voltage or wiring, but a bad AC waveform that they are concerned about. That can also fry the equipment in your house. Now keep in mind that that the solar array doesn't produce AC voltage. You have to use an AC inverter to convert the DC voltage coming off of the solar array into usable AC voltage. So in theory the inverter is a first line of defense. If it can't get "good" DC voltage from the array, it's gonna shutdown. If it can't sync to the POCO's AC waveform, again, it'll shut itself down. You were talking about using micro inverters for your setup, I believe. No difference in operation between a micro inverter and a traditional string inverter. DC comes in one side, AC comes out the other. Same safeguards are in place. But again, if things are badly wired, it's possible for bad things to happen to those inverters.

Take another look at your power bills and see if you really need a 30 kW system. I'm guessing you could get by with a 10 kW system that would cover the majority of your needs. The only reason I could see for such a large system is if you wanted to get into the business of selling renewable energy to the POCO. Unfortunately, you'd be selling to them at wholesale rates, which aren't very high, and thus wouldn't be that cost effective. And there's a whole other set of regs you have to adhere to at that level.

 

I'm all about net cost. If it's cheaper to keep paying the normal rate, then I'll just run a 220 circuit and call it a day.

 

Joe,
I live in Phoenix AZ area, Gilbert.

Put it on the hill.

I did not want it on my roof period, I built a ramada out back. I've got a 9k system. This year I've paid nothing for electricity. For 25 years my usage was about 14,000 kwh's annually. I know there's a 1% reduced productivity a year up to 20 years, then no more loss. So I wanted to cover that loss. My over generation pays for connection fees and taxes. My electric bills are ZERO.

Money saved each year is $1,400. This is a total electric 2,200 square foot home, pool, 5 ton heat pump on home, installing 1 ton in 400 square foot shop. My return is $5400 so far.



SunPower Monitoring System

 

I'm all about net cost. If it's cheaper to keep paying the normal rate, then I'll just run a 220 circuit and call it a day.

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/can-i-charge-with-a-solar-array.118691/page-3#ixzz2Dir960uE



more economic to run an underground 2 phase 2 gauge cable by 400ft than a high 5 figure PV install.

 

Hi there, do you have these panels on a tracking system or fixed position?

 

Doesn't APC structure their charges so that you still pay a pretty hefty chunk of money even if you have a PV array that generates 100% of your power? I had family in Peoria that worked at a major electrical equipment supplier and had $400 power bills. They could have PV installed with an employee discount and still it didn't make financial sense because of how APC structured their rates.

 

mrbigh,
I agree with running underground, except.

Really, put it all on the hill. Don't run underground, except for the 220v servive for PIP charging. Do it right!

I have two 1 1/2" underground pips, one mine, one solar. I had my pipe ready to go, when installer put there pipe in the trench, they just kicked mine in for free, cool.
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mrbigh,
No Tracking. Fall, Winter, Spring 30 degrees, Summer 7 degrees. Summer tilt below.

PiPLosAngeles,
I'm with SRP, I have there Flat rate $0.11 to $0.12 KWH rate. What I'm saying, I've been grid tie for 4 years. Nothing has changed for my power rates.

 

My understanding was that a very large portion of the charges on their power bill were not for metered usage, but various fees that would have to be paid regardless of power consumption. Knowing the overall hostility towards things like solar power in AZ, I just figured it was somewhat intentional to discourage people from using alternative energy sources. Both electric utilities I have had in California based 95% or more of their charges on consumption rather than any monthly fees.

 

PIPLosAngles,

Only fee is $15 connection fee, I have two meters. See meters on wall, below.



Wire maintance and repair is built into there KWH costs, You only pay taxes and fees if you buy electricity from them. I buy nothing!

 

that's beautiful vern, is that a wooden or steel structure?

 

You can build your own EVSE for about $500. There are a number of users on here who have built their own and documented it with pictures. You can either hard-wire to a 240V circuit, or make one that can be used with a 240V dryer socket, or a standard 120V plug.

 

Maybe I'll have the electrician just quote me on a 240V line with submeter and without. The steep discounts on EV charging might make it worth it.