The solar power system was installed this week, We turned it on this morning. 24 panels, each capable of supplying 420 watts, for a total capacity of 10 kW. We can’t yet sell the power back to the power company, because they haven’t yet approved our application. Until then, we will run off of batteries and solar, with the excess being given to the power company free of charge. Hopefully, that will change within a week or two.
The install took two days, even though it was supposed to only take one. On day one, the team got the Powerwalls mounted, and 21 of the 24 panels on the roof before an incoming afternoon thunderstorm stopped work for the day. On day two, they got the final three panels up, ran all of the conduit and wiring, then shut power off to the house for about an hour so they could make all of the connections. They turned the system on, but that was at 1700, after it began raining again, so we didn’t generate any solar at all yesterday.
At 1000 this morning, we were generating 5 kW from solar while only using 0.5 kW, with the 4.5kW of excess going into the batteries. Our Powerwalls are already charged to 50% of capacity, and we have already generated 6.5 kWh purely from solar.
I will revisit the numbers within a week or so. It’s still to early to talk about how well the system is going to meet our needs.
9 Comments
D · July 18, 2024 at 10:28 am
I’m eagerly waiting to nerd out over graphs and stats.
Bad Dancer · July 18, 2024 at 10:41 am
Those are outstanding numbers. Look forward to updates as time goes on.
Jeffery in Alabama · July 18, 2024 at 10:54 am
Sounds great. Keep us posted.
IcyReaper · July 18, 2024 at 11:24 am
Thanks for the update. A question, when you were figuring out sizing of electrical supply needed based on your usage. Did you give yourself a fudge factor?
oldvet50 · July 18, 2024 at 11:41 am
so…..why are you giving away power? Is there no type of ‘smart switch’ that will reconnect you to the grid should you fail to generate enough on your own? How do you know the excess is 100% going toward charging your batteries and not being given to the grid?
John Galt · July 18, 2024 at 11:45 am
Can you share some cost numbers?
Paul · July 18, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Can’t wait to hear more. I got some solar, purely for freezer backup. A Bluetti AC200Max, and 2 200W foldable generic panels. As I save money, I plan on adding 2 Bluetti B300 expansion batteries. All nice and portable for backing up my freezers in a couple of buildings.
Dan D. · July 18, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Some people talk a big game but you own the teams! Well done. It’s just too bad you’ll soon die in a lithium inferno when those Powerwalls burst into flame and that light metal wants its oxygen back like yesterday. At least, that’s what the Smart Boys warned you about here previously.
So long and thanks for all the fish. And nursing.
Rick D · July 18, 2024 at 3:41 pm
I got mine up and running in early May. I was using around 75kwh per day from the grid back then. After continued tweaking yesterday was 8.51kwh. I do not sell back to the utility, but dump excess PV back to the main panel. The batteries and critical loads panel are prioritized.
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