grid tie solar systems?

[Whiplash]

I recently discovered that you can use a micro inverter and simply plug your solar into the wall?? Is this true and is it a decent way to do this? I am on a stupid low budget monthly but I figure if I buy the inverter, then just get a panel or two every couple months I can slowly get a decent reduction in my bill no? What kind of dent would a 500 watt inverter be capable of making on my bill?? Very new to this but this looks feasible....??

 

[Whiplash]

I recently discovered that you can use a micro inverter and simply plug your solar into the wall?? Is this true and is it a decent way to do this? I am on a stupid low budget monthly but I figure if I buy the inverter, then just get a panel or two every couple months I can slowly get a decent reduction in my bill no? What kind of dent would a 500 watt inverter be capable of making on my bill?? Very new to this but this looks feasible....??

 

[Harold in CR]

You need a special grid tie inverter, so you can't backfeed the power company and kill the linemen, of which I once was one of. If the power goes off, and you feed the voltage back through your system, it will boost the Voltage right back up to the 7200-12500 V that is connected to the transformers on the poles.

This is also a problem with guys plugging a generator into a wall outlet, when the power is off. DON'T DO IT.

You also need a double throw switch to create a visible air gap.

Go to LINK and those guys will set you straight and probably will help you get organized the correct way. It's NOT as simple as you think. Easy way is, get a couple good deep cycle batteries and solar charge them. Then use the inverter on a dedicated-isolated from mains power, circuit and that will cut down the bill, just as well. Good luck.

 

[yopappamon]

The pay back is pretty poor compared to investment. I figured 200 watts of solar on a grid tie invertter would only reduce my bill $2-3 a month. 7-10 year payback.

Look for 'island protection' in the inverter. This will shut off the inverter if the grid power is lost.

 

[Whiplash]

OK. I will check that stuff out guys thanks! I found a complete "grid tie" system that was 700 watts for $800, compared to others it looks like a good deal what do you think? Yes I understand it won't do a whole lot at first but I was hoping to add to it slowly. I have a solar company next door to my work that I'll ask to see if I can get a few panels at a discount, who knows maybe they will feel like helping me out?? Lol!

 

[darren1678]

yeah you could do that.

a micro grid tie inverter from ebay would work.

would it make a worthwhile dent to your bills..... depends, on how much you spend, on electric, really.

another idea

this guy hooked his couple of solar panels upto his hot water, heating his water thru the day ready for a bath at night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk7S-Pgtmac

this is what i'd do, if i was motivated

 

[edcastrovalley]

The pay back is pretty poor compared to investment. I figured 200 watts of solar on a grid tie invertter would only reduce my bill $2-3 a month. 7-10 year payback.

It really depends on where you live and how much power you use. My son has a couple of marine salt water aquariums which draw a lot of power. It's not uncommon for Marine Aquarium hobbiests to pay $400 to $500 per month on their power bills.

What I did was invest in about $700 of solar including (4) 180w panels. I figured this would save me slightly over $30 per month because I'm in the 3rd tier on the electric bill at $0.31114 per Kwh. Any reduction in Kwh due to solar or reduced usage will first come off this 3rd tier. Last month my bill was actually $48 lower 8) but, that was mostly because of more sun in July and, and being warmer, his heaters ran a lot less. In the wintertime I might save a little less that $30/month.

Anyway, I figured my payback to be only 2 years but it's looking like it will be in less time. Plus, right now, my utility is at the PUC begging for another price increase (hard to believe isn't it?). So it may pay off even faster.

btw: Solar equipment is a lot cheaper than it was even a year ago. Last year I bought a 250w polycrystaline panel at $1 per watt. These 180w panels were $0.65 per watt and these are monocrystaline which are supposedly better!

 

[Whiplash]

Good info! I use as little power as we can so any reduction is helpful! I work next to a solar installers place, and I'm hoping to snag a few cosmetic blem panels from him hopefully! Customers are picky sometimes so hopefully I'll be able to get a deal!

 

[yopappamon]

btw: Solar equipment is a lot cheaper than it was even a year ago. Last year I bought a 250w polycrystaline panel at $1 per watt. These 180w panels were $0.65 per watt and these are monocrystaline which are supposedly better!

I havent shopped lately, where are you getting those prices?

 

[edcastrovalley]

I havent shopped lately, where are you getting those prices?

I got them at a place called ML Solar in Campbell, CA. They're on Craigslist SFBayArea, Electronics then search "solar" and look for Campell where the city is listed. Of course I had to drive an hour each way. Rather than trying to ship these I would check CL in the nearest major city.

 

[edcastrovalley]

Good info! I use as little power as we can so any reduction is helpful! I work next to a solar installers place, and I'm hoping to snag a few cosmetic blem panels from him hopefully! Customers are picky sometimes so hopefully I'll be able to get a deal!

That's the way to go! Reduce usage where you can first then invest in solar, wind, etc. I got my son to invest in led lighting for his aquarium which made it a lot easier to put things on solar.
As for blems I'd say the discolored panels are fine but I stayed away from the cracked ones unless the crack is at the very corner of a cell or something (the cracked ones were super cheap! ).