6 ms·

How much are you offsetting your electric bill per month?

a1pulley 4y ago
Our electricity usage increased significantly when we realized that predictable temperatures result in better infant/toddler naps, so the "post-installation" numbers below are for more kWh than the "pre-installation" ones. We were also forced to switch from a "tiered" rate plan to a time-of-use (TOU) one when we applied for net energy metering, which also makes it a little harder to calculate the benefit. But the offset roughly averages out to ~$200/month. I'm unable to access my old bills because I moved to a new house, thus the imprecise numbers. Your personal benefit is a function of your weather and latitude. High temps reduce efficiency, as do, more obviously, cloud cover and shading. With TOU plans, your benefit will also depend on your usage habits and schedule. In my case, the benefit was mainly psychological. I never wanted to use AC before, but I started to use it liberally after I turned on my solar system. My wife and child were grateful! Pre-installation * June 2019: $160.92 * January 2020: $252.59 Post-installation * June 2020: $-4.11 * January 2021: $115.27
- foobarian 4y ago
  Do you know how much cooling benefit you get from the panels physically shading the roof?
zbrozek 4y ago
I did roughly the same thing as the parent poster, but I bought used hardware and got my total installation under $1/Wp. I pay the minimum grid connection charge now. About $12/mo, down from about $150/mo before I got an EV.
- a1pulley 4y ago
  Where'd you get used hardware? That's awesome. I moved to a new house, so I'm again in the market for solar hardware!
  - turtlebits 4y ago
    Used solar panels are fairly common. A few years ago, I bought 20x 250w (5kw) used panels for $740. Including freight it was $1120.
    - g8oz 4y ago
      What is a good site to look for used panels?
      - turtlebits 4y ago
        During my research, - Recommended from solar forums: https://jaysenergy.wixsite.com/jaysenergy https://jaysenergy.wixsite.com/jaysenergy. I haven't bought anything but have communicated with them and gotten a few quotes. - Santan solar (is where i bought mine from) via ebay (prices were cheaper than their website). - Craigslist. Occasionally I see posts for people "parting" out used solar panels in bulk.
  - zbrozek 4y ago
    Mostly ebay and craigslist. I had some alerts set up and was patient.

Our electricity usage increased significantly when we realized that predictable temperatures result in better infant/toddler naps, so the "post-installation" numbers below are for more kWh than the "pre-installation" ones. We were also forced to switch from a "tiered" rate plan to a time-of-use (TOU) one when we applied for net energy metering, which also makes it a little harder to calculate the benefit. But the offset roughly averages out to ~$200/month. I'm unable to access my old bills because I moved to a new house, thus the imprecise numbers. Your personal benefit is a function of your weather and latitude. High temps reduce efficiency, as do, more obviously, cloud cover and shading. With TOU plans, your benefit will also depend on your usage habits and schedule. In my case, the benefit was mainly psychological. I never wanted to use AC before, but I started to use it liberally after I turned on my solar system. My wife and child were grateful! Pre-installation * June 2019: $160.92 * January 2020: $252.59 Post-installation * June 2020: $-4.11 * January 2021: $115.27

foobarian 4y ago
Do you know how much cooling benefit you get from the panels physically shading the roof?

zbrozek 4y ago

I did roughly the same thing as the parent poster, but I bought used hardware and got my total installation under $1/Wp. I pay the minimum grid connection charge now. About $12/mo, down from about $150/mo before I got an EV.

a1pulley 4y ago
Where'd you get used hardware? That's awesome. I moved to a new house, so I'm again in the market for solar hardware!
- turtlebits 4y ago
  Used solar panels are fairly common. A few years ago, I bought 20x 250w (5kw) used panels for $740. Including freight it was $1120.
  - g8oz 4y ago
    What is a good site to look for used panels?
    - turtlebits 4y ago
      During my research, - Recommended from solar forums: https://jaysenergy.wixsite.com/jaysenergy https://jaysenergy.wixsite.com/jaysenergy. I haven't bought anything but have communicated with them and gotten a few quotes. - Santan solar (is where i bought mine from) via ebay (prices were cheaper than their website). - Craigslist. Occasionally I see posts for people "parting" out used solar panels in bulk.
- zbrozek 4y ago
  Mostly ebay and craigslist. I had some alerts set up and was patient.