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To: Tell It Right

Thank you, I’m looking at installing a small zero-net system.

I installed wattmeters on L1 and L2 incoming electric mains to track my usage, the average is 20.1 kW total per 24 hr
The daylight average is less than 1kW per hour even in the heating season.
My wife and I installed heated floors in our 100-year-old house, the gas boiler and 2 small pumps use less than 300 Watts but will run 24/7 when the temperature is less than 10 degrees.
Thinking, I installed the AC around 1990!!! Still runs well!
Because we have some large beautiful trees, we seldom use the AC.
When we do turn the AC on, the meter spins so fast, you can use it for a meat slicer.

So far the numbers point to a small system of about 1kW, and if needed I can add more panels.


29 posted on 05/07/2021 7:52:22 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT
From the cold temperatures you describe, I'm assuming you live up north. That changes the math on solar in a couple of ways.


For starters, you get less sunlight than I do in the south -- less solar energy to convert into electricity. I get 4 peak sun hours per day. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/peak-sun-hours-explained


Another factor is, I read that the rated wattage from your panels increase by 5 to 10% when they get below freezing. I'm not sure how accurate that is.


Another thing is you do most of your power consumption in the evening in the winter when it's cold, even with a boiler (at least I imagine you do). That means you need power most when there's less sun, compared to me needing power most when there's tons of sun (during hot summer days to run the A/C when the sun's up for many hours). So backup battery power is more crucial for you than me.

30 posted on 05/07/2021 10:32:14 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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