Electrical independence on 2Kw of Solar

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• Solar Power

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Project Started On

Moving into our Central Coast of CA home in November of 2006, we did not have a history of energy use in this property. Coming from San Diego, with milder winters, a 1500 sq ft house, and gas appliances, to a 1900 ft house with electric appliances and a lot of high wattage recessed lighting throughout, we weren't sure how much energy we'd consume. Our budget dictated that we could afford a small solar PV system in the range of 2 - 2.3 kW. We obtained 3 bids and found quite a bit of variation in price. Important to compare the power output of each bid (PTC - PVUSA Test Conditions) so you are comparing apples to apples. Different systems may spec different panel and output types.

We settled on a 2.04kW system installed by Real Goods who was responsive to beating our low bid and proved easy to work with and really communicated well during the project. The system went on-line on March 26, 2007. Once complete, our installer wisely suggested we leave the system on until PG&E came to sign-off on the install (technically the system is supposed to be off-line until PG&E flips the switch). But hey, the sun is shining and there is electricity to be produced!

Long story short, we ended our 12 month "true-up" period with PG&E in March of 2008. What a thrill to receive the 12 month summary and see that our net energy usage charges for the 12 months was ($129.08). Our 2.04 kW system more than offset our electrical usage over 12 months! How generous to have donated nearly $130 in free electricity to our local electrical grid. That's right, the PG&E interconnection agreement does not (yet) pay you for surplus power you produce. That's why it's important to spec your PV system to offset your usage so as not to be giving it away.

I love the idea putting "distributed" power back into the grid from my rooftop. Changing the policy that allows PG&E to skip out on buying back your surplus residential energy would seem to be ripe for change in this economy.

A burning desire to get off the grid, so to speak, and embrace an alternative to carbon-based power. Also the knowledge that I'd be thumbing my nose at the frustration of nearly 8 years of the current administration and a lack of any national energy policy other than war for oil.

To offset our electrical usage, or come as close as possible. Sizing a system to allow your usage to remain in the "baseline" category of energy usage can save you a lot of $. The baseline billing tier is regulated by the State and not subject to rapid price increases at the utility's discretion (like the upper tiers where the price can double from 11 cents to 23 cents or more per Kwh as you exceed baseline).

One thing we did to prepare was to retrofit every light socket in the house to a CFL energy saving bulb. The new generation of CFL bulbs including spots, dimmable, and 3 way reading lights are quite good. The energy savings we realized as a result was dramatic.