COST BREAKDOWN SOLAR PANELS DIY ARRAY ENPHASE MICROINVERTERS 1.47 KW SYSTEM
About | Information | History | Online | Facts | Discovery
As requested here's a breakdown of the cost in US dollars of the Enphase system with the Canadian Solar panels I installed in 2013. Keep in mind this price doesn't consider the federal or state tax incentives, which would lower it significantly. I bought the panels, racking, and inverters from Affordable Solar. The video explains what the costs where and gives a preview of other documents I created for the town in order to get permits. I also included how I calculated the size of the system needed for the house. Feel free to ask questions and if your feeling very generous you can help me spread knowledge, inspiration, compassion and adventure around the world with monetary support. You can support me monetarily on my channel page in the upper right hand corner or by clicking on one of the support Jesse Hoff icons in this video. Thanks. Full installation video with time lapse of me putting panels up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG6sIBOIBpg Also remember to subscribe to my channel for new videos each week. http://www.youtube.com/hoffjesse You can also find me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/jessekhoff And I'd love to be Twitter friends https://twitter.com/#!/jessekhoff You can also check out my video and photography website for more work http://www.jessehoff.com Systems been running for a total of 40 months: the one caveat to also keep in mind is that for about half a year we've been working with only 4 panels because of an addition on the house. So: Update as of 9/5/16 the system has been running for 40 months total It has produced 4.74 megawatts-hours total 1 megawatt = 1000 kw So that equates to 4740 kwh total 4740/40 = 118.5 kwh per month 118.5/30 = 3.95 ~3.95 kwh per day
Comments
-
Very helpful. Thanks
-
Do you ever act as a consultant for solar projects?
-
mucho bueno! lol good stuff. im a student, and your videos are awesome.
-
on a scale of 6-7 kW system, our standard usage max peak for a house in Western New York, I can imagine the system would net on a factor of about 10-12K. What's hilarious, is that our local solar companies and the rebate system we have both local/state/federal in the US would almost cover 50% of the cost (seriously). The problem IS, that you need a local certified installer to do it. They (based on 3 estimates to date) charge between 20-28K total for the system with a 0% interest loan to float until the rebates come in. So .... is the system work 18,000$ in labor on a $120K house? Dunno .. but man that felt like they were raping us on labor if we did it. I just updated my windows, did insulation, and invested in tune ups for our 80% efficiency 40 year old boiler ... ya ... the pay back on an 10-18K return on investment here would take more like 15-20 years. I laugh when people talk solar, because all this "green" .. but it's really dollars taken out on installation. I just want a solar panel that is 50% efficient (vs. the 20-23%? now? on consumer grade stuff - correct me if I'm wrong) and pay $5 a panel. But that's to much to ask, I know.
-
Kublai khan ? As in the grandson of Genghis?
-
thinking a lot about solar for my house in the Philippines, where are the batteries are they not needed in this type of system . I am just starting to look at solar and thought you needed a bank of batteries
-
Great stuff, thanks for the video.
-
Well done on your videos! I am especially glad you followed up about how the system is doing and her total energy production that you added to this video description Sept 5th, 2016. From the little research I have done, Enphase and their micro inverters are the way to go. Your videos were very helpful. Cheers from Louisiana.
-
Some suggestion:
I think your PV array sizing estimation formula is missing an important "Shading" factor, which I highly recommend due to 4 seasons, raining, snowing, and cloudy days. I will recommend to use 75% shading factor, but I'm not sure whether there is a book that listing out all values. Desert area should be the only area which I think the Shading factor is near 0%, and can eliminate this factor
In other word,
Yours: 4.53 kWh a day / 5.5 hr day light / .88 PV temp loss / .84 AC-DC derate factor / .94 inverter eff
= 1.19 kW PV array needed
20% buffer = 1.19 kW * 1.2 = 1.428 kW
Mine: 4.53 kWh / 5.5 hr day light / .88 PV temp loss / .84 AC-DC derate factor / .94 inverter eff / .75 shading factor
= 1.580 kW PV array needed
Each PV rated 245W
So 1580 W/245W = 6.45 panels ~ 7 panels
No 20% buffer needed
According to your video in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG6sIBOIBpg, you have confirmed that your array provided 3.95 kWh/day, which is off by 12% (3.95/4.53=87%).
If you includes my 75% Shading factor, you should produce closer to 4.53 kWh of actual average usage, instead of 3.95 kWh -
Thanks for all the information on your video
-
Looks amazing! How's it been for her? How much has her bill gone down?
-
Great stuff! I can tell you've put studious effort into the process to select and instal an array appropriate for a customers needs. I want to do this in my community!
-
Awesome video! Why was her consumption so low? Was it not a primary residence?
-
Hey Jess I guess the whole system is kind of expensive, I just got a 5.4Kw (used) panels on eBay for $1300 grid tie inverter 5.1Kw $350 I know I need to buy more stuff but for 22 panels I guess it's dirt cheap.
-
Very interesting... but I think your friend's meter is broke! LOL 1656 kwhr for the year??? I use that much per MONTH! My house looks to be a little bigger at around 2700 sq ft but still... that's crazy. Heck, I was measuring my dad's kegerator to see about doing a solar and battery setup to run it and it uses on average 4500 watt hours a day. That's about exactly what that entire house uses!? Well, hopefully the power company never changes out your friend's meter because it sure seems like the one they have now is a "good" one. Hahahaha! Thanks for the video. Very interesting :)
-
If you want to build it yourself just look for inplix website. There is all you need to make it :)
-
I made all my eco works with inplix handbooks
8m 47sLenght
54Rating