Our Solar Power Project

We have always wanted to get power from the sun. Now it is possible with lower prices and rebates.

Solar power has reduced our electric bill to almost nothing, It also
eliminates about 11,211 lbs of CO₂ and 3 lbs of NO_X emissions per year

Spring Energy

Panels installed on 8/20/01

Description of System:

A total of 48 Kyocera KC-120-1 panels.

Four pole mounted racks in the field facing south hold 12 panels each

Each array is 10 foot wide by 12 foot high.

Two 2500 watt SMA Sunny Boy inverters mounted on the house

Power output:

The panels peak output is about 5760 watts.DC

The system puts out about 70% of that in AC

Monthly average output expected over a year: between 600 and 700 KWH

Prior to solar, we have used an average of 700 to 800 KWH per month.

Performance:

Average Power Output per Month 692 KWH as of June 5, 2002

First Year Power Output Charts: Daily, Weekly, Monthly

Operating Costs:

When the meter runs backwards, we “sell” power to PG&E (Net metering)

During the peak hours (daytime) we “sell” at the high rate (Time of Use metering)

During the night, we buy at the lower rate

First year's power bill was about $6

We still pay about $5 a month for tariffs, taxes, etc.

Maintenance:
I am adjusting the tilt of the panels four times a year.

There is no other maintenance other than cleaning panels.

The Cost:

With California’s rebate, PV systems become worthwhile.

Expected pay back period to be around 15 years at the current rates.

I also expect rates to rise so the payback period will decrease.

I can consider it as pre-paying for electricity or

I can consider it as an investment in my house or

I can consider it as an investment with about a 4% return based on today’s rates.

I lost money on investments in the stock market in 2001-2 but

my solar investment kept on paying (my electric bill)

Our system was installed by Off-Line in North Fork, CA