Solar Generation

[bstump]

We built a new house last year, moved in in November. Our off-grid system specs are:

10.92kW Solarever USA 455W Roof Mounted Solar
Sol-Ark 15K Inverter
800ah 48V EG4 LiFePower4 Batteries

I wanted to see what other people were getting with their solar generation so I could compare and see how my panels are performing compared to others. I'm in northern Indiana.

Anyone willing to share?

 

[Bkord]

I’m in northern Indiana, November and December have been bad, not much sun. I have 12.4kw solar and a solark 12k

 

[bstump]

I’m in northern Indiana, November and December have been bad, not much sun. I have 12.4kw solar and a solark 12k

Does that say you only generated about 13.5 kWh in December? That can't be right...???

 

[Bkord]

Does that say you only generated about 13.5 kWh in December? That can't be right...???

I think it’s closer to 600. In the summer I’m pushing 1800kwh a month. 13.5 must have been for one cloudy day in November.

 

[timselectric]

December was horrible in Kentucky, too.

 

[OzSolar]

Worst December for me in Missouri since I've had the ability to datalog (~5 years).

 

[Shimmy]

800ah 48V EG4 LiFePower4 Batteries

What did you use for a cabinet, and how did you do the DC connections?

I'm looking at a similar setup and contemplating having a custom rack built that the inverter can hang on the side of, although an enclosed cabinet for the batteries would be nicer if I could figure out how to do it well.

 

[bstump]

What did you use for a cabinet, and how did you do the DC connections?

I'm looking at a similar setup and contemplating having a custom rack built that the inverter can hang on the side of, although an enclosed cabinet for the batteries would be nicer if I could figure out how to do it well.

I paid to have this put in. It's a server rack from what I can tell. I can take pics, the batteries all go to what I think is a "bus bar". It looks like this here. If I go add more I will buy this because it's a lot cheaper than my solar vendor charged me (do your due diligence on the site, I have seen a lot of links to them, but I've not used them yet).

EG4 LifePower4 Lithium Battery - ShopSolar.com

EG4 LifePower4 Lithium Battery | (48V) 5.12kWh | 5-Year Warranty | Lifetime Customer Support (Live Chat, Phone, Email) | Shop Now

shopsolarkits.com

 

[bstump]

I think it’s closer to 600. In the summer I’m pushing 1800kwh a month. 13.5 must have been for one cloudy day in November.

Ok cool. Thanks for that info!

Seems your panels are either a bit better than mine or placed better than mine. Likely the latter since mine are roof mount on a 12/12 pitch and 50% face southeast while 50% face southwest.

I generated about 356 kWh with my 10.92 kW. Based on your screenshot it looks like your 12.4kW system generated about 692 kW in December. You're generating significantly more power than I am. That's a bummer, maybe I should ground mount the rest of my panels.

 

[Shimmy]

If I go add more I will buy this because it's a lot cheaper than my solar vendor charged me

Yeah, the issue is 6 slots vs 8 (or 9) slots; your installer seems to have done a good job with the server rack and Panduit for cabling.

The (smaller) issue is the Signature Solar rack has busbars on both sides, so you really need access to the front and both sides of the cabinet, which precludes mounting the inverter on one side.

 

[Bkord]

Ok cool. Thanks for that info!

Seems your panels are either a bit better than mine or placed better than mine. Likely the latter since mine are roof mount on a 12/12 pitch and 50% face southeast while 50% face southwest.

I generated about 356 kWh with my 10.92 kW. Based on your screenshot it looks like your 12.4kW system generated about 692 kW in December. You're generating significantly more power than I am. That's a bummer, maybe I should ground mount the rest of my panels.

Im ground mount at 35° tilt. True south

 

[bstump]

Im ground mount at 35° tilt. True south

I'm going to check some solar calculators and see if that 35 vs 45 degree tilt makes that massive of a difference. If so I may do ground mount on the next set.

 

[bstump]

Im ground mount at 35° tilt. True south

How is your solar doing here in February? We're currently generating 29% more than our daily needs and haven't had to bust out the generator since January 30th! We're been 100% solar for over two weeks now!

I have an algorithm I use to estimate the "extra" we would have generated to sell back to the grid if we weren't off-grid, and it's showing 182% generation - almost DOUBLE what we need! Pretty happy seeing these numbers in February!

 

[Bkord]

How is your solar doing here in February? We're currently generating 29% more than our daily needs and haven't had to bust out the generator since January 30th! We're been 100% solar for over two weeks now!

I have an algorithm I use to estimate the "extra" we would have generated to sell back to the grid if we weren't off-grid, and it's showing 182% generation - almost DOUBLE what we need! Pretty happy seeing these numbers in February!