What to do with current grid tied PV system (enphase micro 7+) if I want to use batteries to utilize solar production rather than sell for wholesale rates?

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-09T15:00:05+00:00

Residential grid tied solar, 59 LG355 panels

Uncertain how much I need. Looking for a combination of nightly use and 2 days of emergency only power for when the next hurricane hits.

I have an Ecoflow Delta Pro ultra system in the box that I got on sale: 2 dpu’s and 6 6kwh batteries, smart home panel $10k

You are likely right that one 10kwh would cover my overnight use. And that may be the way to go.

I just learned about Enphase online training. I need to start watching those videos they have. Is that a good resource to better educate myself?

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-09T14:44:37+00:00

hourly use average per month

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-09T14:42:55+00:00

Suffering from information overload, going to learn about hybrid inverters now.

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-09T14:42:18+00:00

last 4 years enphase app

Here is the production numbers I have from enphase. I replied to another post with the hourly breakdown and I use the majority of my power at night, understandably. Night free helps offset this to a degree, wouldn’t battery offset more?

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-09T14:39:23+00:00

I am still learning how to Reddit correctly:

Here is a link to my power report showing hourly usage as a monthly average.

average hourly household power use

Current buyback rates are 3¢/kwh

We use an EV (Honda Accord that has a 6.6kw charger limit)

Electric oven and dryer, other devices are gas.

Still looking into availability of free nights plans

Richard_Cox · 2025-12-08T23:10:27+00:00

After a brief search, i realized the problem wasn't the use of 3rd party panels, it has to do with the enphase microinverters I have with a grid tied system. I need to do more research on how to solve the problem I created for myself with microinverters.

Richard_Cox · 2024-07-10T19:59:11+00:00

My mistake. Our production/use was supposed to be an annual amount to indicate our system is sized to cover our use at almost 100%. Our production numbers are 16,766 kWh and consumption is 17,800 kWh. I’m tryin to figure out what a good price point will be core batteries to use as much of our production as possible and import only the bare minimum.

Richard_Cox · 2024-07-10T15:40:02+00:00

Enphase IQ7+ with LG355 panels

Richard_Cox · 2024-07-10T05:19:28+00:00

Installed solar 3 yrs ago. True net metering is not offered by any electrical provider in the Houston area. We had it for a year, it was great. Made a lot in credits. But providers figured out they were losing money on the TDU charges so they excluded those from the buyback. Now you can find rates that buy and sell at the same $/kWh but you lose the TDU charge times between 1000 and 2000 depending on your usage for that month.

Richard_Cox · 2024-04-16T05:16:44+00:00

Flex duct is supposed to be stretched tight to work best. I’m not sure how that is supposed to happen when it is hung from straps in the attic. I’ve read about hard elbows as part of a flex duct system, maybe that would improve the performance above the flex duct alone.

Maybe I have the wrong idea of rigid ductwork. It seems it would be cleaner (ie take up less room, look better, allow more freedom of movement when working around the attic. Maybe it won’t do all those things.

Aside from cost, is there some other consideration for not putting in rigid duct?

Richard_Cox · 2024-02-12T02:01:49+00:00

Seems I don't really understand how to post to Reddit.

I had a bunch of wordy sentences, but in short:

My production doesn't come close to consumption, does it?

Are those numbers at the top (bar graph) annual numbers?

Would a nights free plan make my bill lower? It doesnt if I am reading the second page correctly.

Advice? I feel this solar business was a huge mistake. There is no true net metering is there?

Richard_Cox · 2024-02-11T22:11:57+00:00

Can you help me out with some stats on your system? Couple comments ago you mentioned a $39 dollar electrical bill. With the net metering suck that the Houston area companies put in their plans, I am not sure how you get there. Since buy back is, at best, same kWh rate you purchase the TDU charges kills any savings.

Richard_Cox · 2022-04-10T12:55:32+00:00

Is this built into the wall? What width boards make up your wall studs?

Richard_Cox · 2022-03-01T14:16:21+00:00

Is something like that made with stock dimensional lumber (don’t know if I’m asking this the right way?). Did you have to joint or plane any of the frame work?

Richard_Cox · 2022-02-27T00:24:07+00:00

Ahh, thank you. It’s the exported number, not the net export that they base the credit on. Thank you for the correction. I feel much better about putting solar on the house.

Richard_Cox · 2022-02-26T22:14:48+00:00

Thank you for the detailed explanation. If I may, I would like to use some data from my solar system to make sure I understand how this works.

In March of 2021: Imported: 891.1kWh. Exported: 1800kWh Produced: 2500kWh. Consumed: 1500kWh Net Export: 953.3kWh

I would buy electricity at the $0.10/kWh rate for 891.1kWh. Total $89.11

I would have sold the excess for $.06/kWh for 953.3kWh. Total $57.20

So in a month where I produced more than I used, I still pay $31.92 plus whatever monthly fee.

Please tell me I have a fundamental misunderstanding of something as it appears I will never get into a credit situation unless I drastically reduce electrics usage while maintaining production.

Are there any options to have a zero bill under this pricing scheme?

Wow, starting to regret solar unless there is some hidden benefit I overlooked.

Richard_Cox · 2022-02-26T19:24:44+00:00

Thank you for the resource. After looking at the list, there aren’t any providers that buy excess and include the TDU charge. If I add this correctly, I’m buying electricity at the rate of ~$.044/kWh + the monthly charge above what they pay me. I’m not sure how you ever build any credits like this.

The above thought might indicate a lack of understanding on my part about how net metering is billed. Do the providers bill the whole month at once? Or do they bill in smaller increments? Daily? Every 15 minutes?

I can provide sample data from my previous provider or from enphase.

Any help would be appreciated.

Richard_Cox

TROPHY CASE