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Who's gone Solar

Late November my solar will be four years old; … should have done it 10 years earlier. … comparing, made more kilowatts this year.
IMG_1832.png
 
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GAJ said:
So for the first month I have year over year production numbers and I'm down 12 percent production per panel so think I'm going to have them cleaned professionally.

Are you down year over year assuming your panels were clean last year and not so clean this year?
Click to expand...
Since I went live on August 15th last year, I could only compare the last 1/2 of August between this year and last year. Over those 2 weeks, my production was ever so slightly up this year. I have not had my panels cleaned. This year I generated about 8 kWh more than last year for the last 1/2 of August. That's about a 1.3% increase.

From August 15th 2023 to August 15th 2024 I generated a total of 10.4 MWh.
 
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I'd love to...but my manufactured home doesn't qualify.
Which seems kind of fucked up to me.
It's not like it's some piece of shit thin walled aluminum POS from the 70's, like everyone else in my park.
My house was built in Sactown in a factory in 2016. It's built better than some of your places.
Why then...can't I put a grid of whatever those things are called on my roof? Which, by the way ISN'T flat...like most trailer park trailers.

MAD...I am.

But...it's okay...because I'm poor...I qualify for credits from heap...this year I got nearly $800.
Which basically covers my PGE for the whole year.

So...okay...I'll shut up now.

:teeth
 
Your roof solar wouldn’t fit in with the old tire aesthetic.
 
GAJ said:
So for the first month I have year over year production numbers and I'm down 12 percent production per panel so think I'm going to have them cleaned professionally.

Are you down year over year assuming your panels were clean last year and not so clean this year?
Click to expand...
I'm traveling and don't have all the specific data readily at hand, but it looks like I'm pretty close to last year. August 2023 was approx 4.2 mWh, 2024 August is approx 4.1mWh
 
Lights_Guy3 said:
I'm traveling and don't have all the specific data readily at hand, but it looks like I'm pretty close to last year. August 2023 was approx 4.2 mWh, 2024 August is approx 4.1mWh
Click to expand...
My SIL a mile away had a similar result as I so was just the conditions here it seems

Had the panels cleaned to "as new" for $11/panel and saw an immediate almost double digit improvement in production.

I'll do that every year I thin after pollen season.
 
GAJ said:
My SIL a mile away had a similar result as I so was just the conditions here it seems

Had the panels cleaned to "as new" for $11/panel and saw an immediate almost double digit improvement in production.

I'll do that every year I thin after pollen season.
Click to expand...
It's so expensive to have them cleaned. I really want to, but with 96 panels, I think the money I "lose" doesn't make up for the cost of cleaning them. I'll persevere until rain takes care of it for me.
 
Lights_Guy3 said:
It's so expensive to have them cleaned. I really want to, but with 96 panels, I think the money I "lose" doesn't make up for the cost of cleaning them. I'll persevere until rain takes care of it for me.
Click to expand...
I tried a hose on them, still tons of residue.

Then I sprayed a mixture of water/vinegar/dish soap on them and bought a brass "jet stream" nozzle for the hose and no improvement; still hazy/dusty.

Crystal clear now.
 
Anybody dealt with Tesla Solar? Their shitty installation caused my roof to leak under the panels but they are like you go fix it since our responsibility was only for the first year. Now I will end up spending more money than any savings I received from solar panels FML :mad:
 
Escape pod said:
You can use wet and forget on solar panels

solvoltaics.com

Can You Use Wet And Forget On Solar Panels? - Solar Panel Installation, Mounting, Settings, and Repair.

An average solar panel is about 50% less efficient when dirty. This is because dirt absorbs some of the energy trying to reach the panel. Still, any debris can decrease the output of your solar panels. Cleaning your solar panel ... Read more
solvoltaics.com solvoltaics.com
Click to expand...
It involves this apparently; at 67 I'm done with getting up on roofs.

How Should you apply Wet and Forget to Solar Panels?​

To use the product on solar panels:

  • Spray a generous amount of product onto a damp cloth first so you can wipe down all surfaces of the solar panels.
  • Spray the product onto a solar panel section and use a soft bristle brush to scrub it into the solar panel.
  • Take a garden hose with high water pressure and rinse off each panel section before moving on to another section.
Click to expand...
 
m_asim said:
Anybody dealt with Tesla Solar? Their shitty installation caused my roof to leak under the panels but they are like you go fix it since our responsibility was only for the first year. Now I will end up spending more money than any savings I received from solar panels FML :mad:
Click to expand...
We had Tesla panels on our house - we sold the house in July and dutifully filed all the required paperwork to transfer the leased system to the new owners. Tesla is STILL trying to get us to pay for the months AFTER we sold...
 
Saw this new roof with solar shingles installed
Anyone have thoughts as to what is better or more efficient - Panels or shingles?
IMG_1808[1].JPG
 
m_asim said:
Anybody dealt with Tesla Solar? Their shitty installation caused my roof to leak under the panels but they are like you go fix it since our responsibility was only for the first year. Now I will end up spending more money than any savings I received from solar panels FML :mad:
Click to expand...

Escape pod said:
You can use wet and forget on solar panels

solvoltaics.com

Can You Use Wet And Forget On Solar Panels? - Solar Panel Installation, Mounting, Settings, and Repair.

An average solar panel is about 50% less efficient when dirty. This is because dirt absorbs some of the energy trying to reach the panel. Still, any debris can decrease the output of your solar panels. Cleaning your solar panel ... Read more
solvoltaics.com solvoltaics.com
Click to expand...

So a neighbor up the streets house burned down. They can't figure it out but are trying to blame the tesla shingle panels. Dunno, I'm just a neighbor. And I was told by my installers that you should spray your panels once a year to remove dust but don't use soap or chemicals to clean them because you can fade or scratch them. You should have an app where you can see each panels productivity and judge whether you've got a dirty, faulty or a panel in the shade.
 
westie said:
So a neighbor up the streets house burned down. They can't figure it out but are trying to blame the tesla shingle panels. Dunno, I'm just a neighbor. And I was told by my installers that you should spray your panels once a year to remove dust but don't use soap or chemicals to clean them because you can fade or scratch them. You should have an app where you can see each panels productivity and judge whether you've got a dirty, faulty or a panel in the shade.
Click to expand...
Tap water will leave mineral spots so perhaps look into DI water
 
Thanks to PGE's 4th increase this year my breakeven now looks to be 5.6 years.

7.3 years for my system assuming I had to operate under Nem 3 and buy a battery today for a system cost of around $31,000.

So solar still makes great sense today if one can afford the cost.
 
This thread is looooong. I am being lazy but do we have any Barfers that are involved with selling and consulting for solar projects?
Goal is to power the 5th wheel and pool, maybe a seperate system for the garage? We can supplememnt with generators but would prefer not to.
 
Produced 6 percent more power this year vs last.

Got the panels cleaned for $11/panel on the 8th so must have helped.
 
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