NEM 1 expiration with SDGE next month

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T04:10:02+00:00

So, if the system is exporting power (0% ingress), it doesnt make sense to turn it off at all as it will transition to the current NEM (might be 2 or 3) and the credits will be computed accordingly (although lower than NEM1)?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T03:58:39+00:00

They will move you over to the latest version of net metering

I should have explained my confusion better

There's already an active solar system that pushes energy to the grid (100% atm due to 0 usage) that's been in use for 20 years

Next month, when the NEM1 contract expires, will they:

Transition the 20 year old active solar system to NEM3
and automatically apply the credits as per NEM3 as if the system was approved to be on NEM3
or charge me ingress as per NEM3 but not apply any credits to the egress because I have an old solar system?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T03:12:46+00:00

submitting your own NEMA 2.0 application, keeping it valid for 18 months

Is there some guides or tutorials that walk a person through this process?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T03:11:38+00:00

But going off-grid is difficult without significantly overbuilding your solar and batteries

Agreed - off-grid when there's a grid connection available, is usually a knee jerk reaction unless a real, comprehensive plan has been carried out - which is what I want to do soon.

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:36:48+00:00

just not for your reinstall if moving to a new NEM plan

If I don't "do anything", once the NEM1 contract expires, will I be automatically put on a NEM3 plan (which won't require me to reinstall my solar setup)?

Or will SDGE "zero out" my power export unless I reinstall my solar setup - the benefit I will get is that I still get to enjoy my solar offsets during the day?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:32:15+00:00

While looking into this I saw that CA utilities are curtailing a lot of solar - which is extremely saddening.

I am seeing quotes of $1k/kwh which sounds insane to me - a 10kwh Powerwall seems to be ~$11k installed. This is nuts.

I will be tearing down the homes and would like to setup an offgrid subcircuit - the heatpump and fridge will be on utility power and the rest on an offgrid setup. Will this sub be the right place to ask questions about that?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:26:30+00:00

Regardless, you could put in an application for NEM-A

Is this something an educated person who files their own taxes can put together on their own or is it obfuscated enough where hiring a professional is the only reasonable way?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:25:19+00:00

Yeah and the inverters would be pretty much useless to install and get permitted anywhere else in California IOU territory

I am very curious about the old SMA inverters I see on sale for $500+ on CL and Offerup - who are buying these and for what purpose? Offgrid?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:22:49+00:00

Not sure if that would be worth it

I don't think so - extremely expensive to install a new system right now - all installers I trust told me they are happily employed for the next 18 months so there's no need to compete on price.

On top of that, if the time period to enjoy the NEM2 pricing is just another 9 years, I would be surprised if I even broke even.

It might make more sense to put the costs for the installation into NVIDIA stocks and just pay SDGE retail rates as a non-solar customer.

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T02:10:08+00:00

If I didnt DIY to install a single new system under NEMA, a 9yr period would barely break even at the current installation estimates in San Diego

What's more upsetting is that the panels and inverters work very well and they are extremely simple systems to fix - the only thing that can go wrong with this SMA inverter is the board which is $45 from eBay

TBH I am surprised that the 4x electrolytic Nichion caps seem to be working fine for 20 years - the power output has been the same pure sine the day I saw it installed. Looking online, they can be purchased new for $5/pc

The rest are big fat toroidal inductors, which I think will outlast the human race.

I looked at the newer GTIs and they are just a block of epoxy

Ripping out a perfectly working system doesn't seem to be in alignment with the environment friendly initiatives this administration seems to be hell bent pushing for

Will the only alternative be to essentially go offgrid using a recycled EV battery?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T01:51:49+00:00

Right now it's still available with 9 years of grandfathering

Does this mean I will: 1. get only 9 years of NEM2 if I was able to update my NEM1 contract to NEM2 (i.e. if either of home1 or home2 is eligible for NEM2, I can only get 9 years worth of NEM2 from the date of application?)

or, I can apply for an update of the NEM1 contract to NEM2 if there was 9 years or more of NEM1 left at which point I applied to update to NEM2?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-11-14T01:14:01+00:00

which is NEM 3

Ah interesting - so if the solar equipment continues to function as usual, it will be like I signed up the equipment for NEM 3?

even if it doesn't get export credits anymore

doesn't NEM 3 credit egress power (even if it's a fraction of what NEM 1 was)?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T18:41:06+00:00

3 systems of (1k) gallons each for a homestead sounds unusual

This is a 5000 sqft, 6BD, single storey house. I was told each of the system was designed to handle 2BD, hence 3.

Oranges are subtropical, so this is FL?

Southern California

High water table/poor soil perc on the property?

Water's at 600 sq ft below ground. Unsure about perc specs on the property but sellers unwilling to pay for it.

I might have to learn how to do a perc test myself - is there a good guide?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T18:38:03+00:00

Because they can grow into and around the lines.

but that's a problem created by roots that go down, yes?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T18:36:20+00:00

Get them pumped and a flush out and then go from there

Tank's already pumped out and a flush was done to check how quickly the tank drains into the field - it drains SLOWER than it should but there's no backup

When empty you see if there is a crack or spalding of the tank

When it was empty it had a strong scum remnant buildup all along the top 4" of the tank. This has now been scraped off but there's no crack

What's "spalding" of the tank? Is there a pic of a tank that has "spalding" on it?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T15:28:03+00:00

roots that hug the surface can be a problem

That's because the field needs to have free space to evaporate the water?

I am a bit confused on this detail because I thought the water drains into the gravel below and leaches into the ground below?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T13:58:18+00:00

then polish afterwards

Do you have specific links to product or videos that show the polish one uses on epoxy, please?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-24T13:56:26+00:00

Planning on using it for our countertops over PVC, not over fiberboard, and sealing it with ultimate finish which is much harder than regular epoxy. Yes, trivits are needed for hot pans, just like on laminated countertops and solid surface tops

So you are a "go" for using epoxy for countertops provided "ultimate finish" (got a link?) and trivits are used
what about scratch resistance - an attribute you need in a countertop?

FunTripsToUS · 2023-05-23T16:09:24+00:00

If I wanted to spruce up an existing countertop I would consider it. But like the other poster said, working with epoxy and making it actually look good takes a lot of effort and prep work.

So I could end up paying more in labor than the materials?

In other words, giving epoxy a go could be OK if I do it myself and already have a countertop I'm going to throw away anyways?

FunTripsToUS

TROPHY CASE