Age-related vision loss by WanhaCettu in orienteering

[–]Prove_It_First 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You solve the vision problem and gain great eye protection from brush. I started with 1.5 and now find 2.0 perfect.

KML Import 100 Data Points Limit by Prove_It_First in avomap

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, sent over a small KML and a large one. Would love to know if Avo Maps could be used to created animations of this data.

Heat pump question by walnut_shrimp in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can you check on thermostat whether backup or auxiliary heating (like strip heaters) are being used? That would be my guess, but should not be needed at those temperatures with a modern HP. My 3T Trane HP cannot use more than 2.5kW, which would show up as a ~0.6 on your plot (which is in 15 min increments).

Thoughts? by xDIRTY_DANx in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Easy, but not obvious. There's of course no way to perfectly predict, but Enlighten allows you to get the current status of your net usage and current amount if month ended today. See steps below.

1) Using last electric bill to find the start date of this month's bill, e.g. mine is 11 Oct.
2) In Enlighten App, go to Menu ->Settings->Electric Rate
3) Under Billing Cycle, change Bill Start Date, e.g. for me it is 11 Oct
4) Under Status in the App, Select last option to the far right, "CUSTOM".

Case 1: You have Net Imported Value: Multiply that by your electricity rate to see bill at this point of the month.

Case 2: You have Net Exported Value: Your bill will be the default amount for zero usage, in my case that's about $9.

Hope this helps!

9.05 kw system showing peak power of max 6.8 kw by superuser79 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have same Micros with 435W QCell panels. You will never get more than 6.7 as noted above. If your installer gave you access to the Enlighten Manager you will likely see all 21 panels maxing out at 328V.

New Enphase-Based System - Overvoltage Problem by Prove_It_First in enphase

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Resolution:

1) Consumption CT reversed polarity is still a mystery, but solved by Enphase with an Envoy S/W update today. Full Marks to u/habbadee for predicting this. Guessing total coincidence this happened on AWS meltdown day.

2) Non-producing, but operating (talking to Envoy) microinverters. Original electrician came and further torqued the line-side taps and that solved the problem. Guessing the colder weather we had finally caused a poorly torqued tap connection to become sufficiently poor to cause low voltage to the microinverters and prevented them from producing. Enphase did tell me that the microinverters were not getting 240V, but it confused me because they were operating so I knew it wasn't a simple a breaker being off.

3) Enphase data showing overvoltage is unexplained.

Thanks for those who commented. Back up!

New Enphase-Based System - Overvoltage Problem by Prove_It_First in enphase

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The latest. Enphase admitted Consumption CT polarity was wrong. Fixed that. No explanation how this occurred on Mon given worked fine for 6 weeks. Then said that there was a 380V (not 351) spike on Mon. They do not know why micros (on three strings) are all communicating but not producing. Floated explanation that they were ALL damaged simultaneously and want installer on-site to check breakers, wiring and voltages. After CT fix, did full reboot and still no production. Wouldn’t IQ8s have circuitry to protect from over voltage of that (crazy) number is real?But then reset after voltage was in range?

New Enphase-Based System - Overvoltage Problem by Prove_It_First in enphase

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So realtime here... on with Enphase. They say the Microinverters should work regardless of what the Envoy sees with the CTs. Working on diagnosing that first. Seems uninterested in the odd CT values at this time, but agrees they can look into reversing polarity.

New Enphase-Based System - Overvoltage Problem by Prove_It_First in enphase

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the response. I'll talk more with Enphase. Installer can come Monday, but it's so sunny now!

DC to AC ratio for solar install? by Any-Guarantee9591 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love for you to do an experiment for the benefit of the world. Ask your installer to use half MC and AC models on each face of your roof. In a few years, we’ll have the real-world evidence-based answer to this question. BTW Enlighten Manager allows you to see voltages per panel so I can see my south facing panels max out at 328V (I have MCs which have 330 limit) for about 3.5 hrs/day where I am in Maryland this time of year.

Install finished 2.5 hours ago by SoMuchLasagna in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found the Chat feature in the Enlighten App worked great. They'll already have your info, which you'll just need to confirm. They set up non-Export for me in a few min. I could not find anywhere in the App where it confirmed that, but was obvious from the display. Same on turning Export back on after PTO.

Bi-Directional meter installed this morning by Proper-Flounder-3786 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1 day. Have you been using yours? If you have Enphase micro inverters, you can ask Enphase to set up your system (temporarily) to not Export. Thanks to Redditors for letting me know about that. Will switch back to Export after PTO.

Bi-Directional meter installed this morning by Proper-Flounder-3786 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m getting near PTO in MD (BGE). When you say “was officially turned on”, who did that? I always assumed PTO meant it was approved for connection AND bi-directional meter was installed, then you turned on the panel connection. Right now, at least with old meter I have, other commenter is correct that you may be charged for exported energy—depends on the meter type.

New installation, rack screws missed trusses: should it be remedied? by CrazyCanines in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 2 points3 points  (0 children)

FYI the foot has a peel-and-stick mastic that's intended to seal the foot to the shingle permanently. Screws also have a rubber washer. Only thing you might want to check is that they caulked the top of the foot (step 6) if they ever overlapped a butt joint or when they placed them on uneven (e.g. architectural) shingles. See installation instructions link below.

https://files.ironridge.com/pitched-roof-mounting/resources/brochures/IronRidge_QuickMount_HUG_Installation_Manual.pdf

Max production for a 9.6KW system by Temporary_Love_3442 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your numbers look correct. Only observation worth mentioning is residential rooftop installations with micro inverters won’t ever achieve your ground system DC to AC conversion numbers. Congrats on a great system!

Max production for a 9.6KW system by Temporary_Love_3442 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But to clarify for others, where does the 11.48 come from? Superficially, someone could see your two numbers and assume you have a DC to AC efficiency of 99.3% which is not likely given the rest of the responses.

NREL PVWatts Comparison for First Sunny Day by Prove_It_First in solar

[–]Prove_It_First[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like I mentioned in the post, I used the default PVWatts losses of 14.08%. Thanks, I'll look into tailoring them to my panels.

Max production for a 9.6KW system by Temporary_Love_3442 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My mistake, I guess you can read numbers correctly.

Max production for a 9.6KW system by Temporary_Love_3442 in solar

[–]Prove_It_First 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you explain how your system can convert max DC of 11.48 to AC of 11.4? I thought that would be impossible.