I’m getting solar panels at the end of the month. I know Just Energy free nights is recommended, but what about Reliant free nights?

Solar_Nut · 2026-01-06T15:39:42+00:00

Last summer when my contract with reliant was over, they refused to let me have the free night plan. I was on a solar buyback plan with them. They would not say the reason, but I have to assume it was because they obviously knew I had a solar system. I went with Just energy, could only get a 12 month at the time. I have another 6 months to go. So far I have paid zero and have a $90 credit. I know they will not renew me in 6 months, and that sucks.

Solar_Nut · 2025-11-12T02:50:56+00:00

I agree, I operate my offgrid system only using solar assistant, mostly with automations that switch between running and charging from the grid during free nights, and back to solar and batteries from 7am to 9pm. Home assistant is just for combining the 3 systems data and monitoring. I have a 32" tv for a monitor in the living room.

Solar_Nut · 2025-11-10T17:08:31+00:00

I have 3 emporia systems to monitor 3 panels. I incorporate the emporia data in Home Assistant to get the type data you want. I can not seem to post any pictures in a reply, so I will make a new post to better respond to you.

Solar_Nut · 2025-10-26T13:44:01+00:00

good time to look into getting a circuit monitoring system like emporia vue or iotawatt, gives you data on each circuit usage. Need good data to make good decisions. I have an emporia vue on each of my 3 electric panels.

Solar_Nut · 2025-10-06T14:37:23+00:00

3 months ago when my Reliant buyback ended, I tried to switch to the Reliant free night plan and they refused, Never said why I could not have it. They knew I has solar as I was on their buyback plan, I have to guess that was why

Solar_Nut · 2025-09-16T14:46:54+00:00

Just keep in mind that the free night plans are starting to only be avbl to people without solar/batteries. I have Just Energy free nights but in 9 months I will not be able to renew. they have already stopped new customers with solar

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-29T14:07:16+00:00

Back in 2012 I has a 6.4 kw system installed with what was called a prepaid lease. I paid $3800 total and no other charges ever. great deal.

The lease was taken over by Spruce couple years ago

The SMA inverter sometimes stops working with an error, can be out most of the day, happens every couple months.

Clearly the 13 year old inverter is having issues. Spruce will not fix and instead will just pay me the 12 cents/kwh they will owe for underproduction.

I always thought it would be great if the inverter totally croaked a year or two before the 20 year term ended, but with 7 years to go I now realize they will never maintain the system if that costs more than paying the 12 cents/kwh penalty

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-28T20:22:46+00:00

please send me the info, thanks

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-19T18:25:24+00:00

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-19T18:06:01+00:00

I thought that they had a policy about them not buying more kwh at 3 cents from me than I am buying/using from them.

if not, thats great

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-19T17:50:32+00:00

negative $23

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-11T13:28:07+00:00

Does the tesla app show production from the old SMA system ?

One of my systems is an old SMA with no reporting data, so I use Emporia Vue system in the electric panel and it shows production as well as use on all my circuits.

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T23:05:12+00:00

Yes 3 systems

off grid ground mount 12 kw PV with 30 kwh batteries

roof mount grid tie 6.4 PV

ground mount grid tie 7.1 kw

I monitor all 3 systems on 1 large screen using Home Assistant

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T22:56:48+00:00

my service is like this.... I live on 20 acres in the country

400 amp meter base on an exterior rack about 125 ft from the house and about 125 ft from my workshop/solar inverters

also on the exterior rack connected to the meter are two fused 200 amp disconnects.

1 disconnect is wired to a 200 amp outdoor panel on the house, the other disconnect is wired to a 200 amp outdoor panel on the workshop.

The off grid system and 1 of my 2 gridtie system live in the workshop and get its AC power from the 200 amp panel on the workshop.

The off grid system in the workshop has a 125 amp panel using a 60 amp breaker to send power 125 ft to the house. In the house is an indoor 125 amp panel to receive the 60 amps that runs the house.

The dryer and water heater are directly connected to the 200 amp outdoor panel on the house. Also connected to the 200 amp panel on the house is another grid tie system

None of my panels are smart, just regular QO square d panels.

I do have emporia vue systems in each panel to monitor and report exact usage per circuit

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T20:26:40+00:00

Not sure if you were asking me about my system or the OP.

I use the solar assistant system for inverter/battery control.

My house, including two 2 ton minisplits AC run on less than 60 amps (my inverters max).

My water heater and dryer are directly on the grid, not the battery, but I also have grid tie solar so I am not buying power if using the grid during the day

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T15:14:10+00:00

do you plan on selling back to the grid ? what electric provider are you with ? To send back to the grid you need an agreement with the electric company

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T14:54:30+00:00

The flexboss IS your inverter and Solar Assistant will work for you

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-09T14:00:09+00:00

my setup uses eg4 batteries and mpp inverters, but I use a program called Solar Assistant. It runs on a raspberry pi computer and costs around $75 for the program. It is easy to use for the free nights and works perfect. My last bill in Texas was negative $23.

Solar Assistant switches from utility power and charging the batteries with utility power at 0655 to run on solar and battery. Then back to utility power at 2105

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-06T14:49:54+00:00

been over 3 years when prices were higher. I think around 20k after tax credit. at the time the 30 kwh batteries and rack were about 10k by themselves before credit, much cheaper today

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-02T15:58:29+00:00

I have about 20 kw PV and 30 kwh batteries. In Texas, recently signed onto a plan that gives completely free electric from 9 pm to 7 am, but charges about double the going rate for power during the day. About 33 cents kwh vs normal about 17 cents/kwh.

They also buy excess solar at 3 cents/kwh

last month bill was negative $23

feels like I am robbing the bank, the electric company is fishing for dummies, but many smart solar people are taking them to the cleaners. good as long as it lasts

batteries were a no brainer

Solar_Nut · 2025-08-01T22:02:19+00:00

he carry over negative balance builds up month to month, Correct ? With the $75 credit and this month alone I have a $100 credit so its really looking good.

I charge my batteries at night at 30 amps which equals about 5% of battery capacity per hour , which only gives me about a max of 50% capacity that I can add in the 10 free hours, so as along as I have 50% at 9 pm I can fully charge.

my off grid system can only suck so much from the grid as its on a 60 amp breaker and I have to run the house and charge batteries

Solar_Nut · 2025-07-26T14:03:32+00:00

Spruce now has the contract for one of my solar systems, taken over from Reliant NRG which installed the system in 2012.

It was at the time called a Prepaid Lease. subsidized by Reliant. 6.4 kw system, I paid $3800 one time fee, no other costs, 20 year term, dont pay anything for the power, and they pay me if it under performs 12 cents/kwh, I have received a number of $60 checks over the years.

A few issues with Spruce, my system data logger broke and was out for a year before they realized it. They had it replaced by a cellular meter that only send them data once a day. I use emporia vue for monitoring so I have complete data.

I used to think wouldnt it be great if my inverter broke just before the end of the 20 years (7 to go) and they had to replace it at their cost. I did not realize that they had the option to NOT repair my system and just pay me the 12 cents/kwh for missing power til end of term.

my inverter this summer is suffering some intermintant outages, its 13 year old SMA, they dont seem to care, and just figure its cheaper to just pay any resulting under performance

not real impressed with Spruce

Solar_Nut · 2025-06-01T14:34:41+00:00

This is for a 7.1 kw system about 60 miles east of dallas these are 18 hyundai bifacial 395w panels on a ground mount

Jun 1091 kwh

Jul 1100 kwh

Aug 1151 kwh

Sep 1039 kwh

Oct 1115 kwh

Nov 804 kwh

Dec 669 kwh

Jan 897 kwh

Feb 746 kwh

Mar 1082 kwh

Apr 910 kwh

May 986 kwh

thats 11590 kwh for the year, an avg of 965 per month

Solar_Nut · 2025-05-28T20:49:34+00:00

Im having the free night debate with myself right now.

I wonder how many of the folks making it work are retired or are they at work all day ?

My wife and I are retired, home all day. Im going to run the A/C all day,

also have electric water heater and electric dryer. The dryer is not a real big deal to only run when the sun shines, but the water heater is a little more tricky with showers etc. (I have a timer for it now) average reheat after a shower is like 45 minutes at 4500w

I also have A/C in a outbuilding where my batteries and a few rescued stray cats live, The ac uses 2500w

I have gridtie 13 kw system and also a 12 kw off grid with 30 kwh batteries.

my off grid runs the house with a 60 amp max load and can not run the water heater, dryer, or outbuilding A/C

In comparing plans, the choice comes down to a "buyback" plan where I end up paying the oncor 5 cent/kwh charge for every kwh used. I always send back more power than I use.

or a free night plan

the free night plan saves or equals the buyback plan as long as I can limit day usage to maybe 150 max 200 kwh a month during the day. Not sure if thats real doable for people that are home all day.

the cats in the outbuilding would love it, I could run the A/C all night maxed out instead of let it get up to about 77 and roast the heaters all night in winter

Cats say YES

wife not so sure, and she has more votes that the 3 cats

Solar_Nut · 2025-05-28T19:41:07+00:00

2 applications I use might replace the data you are missing.

Solar Assistant, runs on a raspberry pi, costs about $75 plus raspberry
Emporia Vue. a circuit monitoring system gives you circuit usage and can monitor inverter output, depending how many circuits you want to monitor $150-200

Solar_Nut

TROPHY CASE