Hello! Thinking of getting solar, and a powerwall 3. Based on the past 4 months data (moved in in November) we project our consumption to be ~6000kWh, so we decided to get quotes for a 5kW system (+powerwall 3) so as to have a better apples to apples comparisons across quotes. Let me start by saying, sales guys do NOT like that. It kind of feels like you threw their whole sales pitch and playbook out the window. No more can they play around with numbers and try to sell deals that you do not want. But at the same time it helps me filter out predatory companies. After weeding out a few companie ..read more

I am referring to this enphase tech doc to understand "whole-home backup" vs "partial-home backup". There are many new terms I learned in this doc (for example line-side, load-side). And I am wondering if my following understanding is correct. Appreciate if anybody can read my comment and correct me if I am wrong. Thank you! ​ #1 Fig 2 is for "whole-home backup", but the only panel shown in the diagram is called "back-up loads". So this only panel is actually the main panel, right? ​ #2 Still on Fig 2, IQ system controller is an interconnect. It can draw power from various sources, and di ..read more

I came across a YT video where the poster just rips Tigo for making 'broken' optimizers. You HAVE to connect them to their expensive gateway and get a firmware update for them to work AT ALL. SO I'm wondering what reliability you installers/owners have seen for Solar Edge and other optimizer brands. I would also like to know what failure rates you're seeing for your inverter/microinverters installs. Around here, everyone has their favorite 'brand' but no one looks at the competitive products to see if they have better reliability or pricing, so what's the 'real world' have to say about Hoymil ..read more

My setup is based on Tesla Powerwall 3 and REC420AA panels. Because of the obstacle on the roof one panel had to be installed horizontally oriented, when other panels in the same string are vertically oriented. Everything else is the same, roof section, irradiance, etc. Does panel orientation makes any difference for its production? submitted by /u/LMS927 [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

Now that there are PV Hazard Control Arrays certified to UL3741, how fast do you think people will adopt this rapid shutdown method? submitted by /u/scooperer [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

Over a week ago (coinciding with the spring heatwave, outside temps grew from ~10C to up to 20-25C (~50F to 70-80F) for 1/2 weeks), hot tap water began to stink heavily. Hard to describe the smell, it resembles sewers the most, but it could be some chemical (more likely decomposed, rotten chemical) or a mix of chemical and something else. The taste is just like the smell. Cold water is fine. The solar thermal loop is filled with automobile antifreeze (toxic ethylene glycol). The highest priority thing I need is sanity check. Dad insist on getting a new tank tomorrow morning. I need to kno ..read more

submitted by /u/hulksterreddit [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

So I’ve been thinking about getting solar for a few years now. So we are about to buy a new house and I want to go ahead and get solar. I will be paying cash out right for the unit. Should I just get more panels to start and 1 battery or just get enough to run the house? We currently use between 800 to 2000 during summer months. The new house is smaller but also has a pool + EV so should be similar to this house. Which should panels or inverter should I stay away from? submitted by /u/Seabee4086 [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

Hey folks! I recently got a quote in from Solar SME. They had a battery backup in there originally but it was not an affordable quote after financing. 18k for 9,000 kw/h a year, or at least 90% of that. We have no trees shading our property at all. Located in Baltimore, MD. How does this look to you - and has anyone had a recommendable experience with Solar SME? submitted by /u/StamInBlack [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

submitted by /u/Natural_Dark_2387 [visit reddit] [comments ..read more