[no1dc]

Trying to figure the bill out since it's only 24 days vs. the 30 days it would normally have been. It's confusing with all the "adjusted" demands, etc... It looks like my bill would have been 111.76 but when all is said and done they credited my account(purchased power credit) 1.87. That came off my home bill as the account has both my home and business on it. I set it up that way 30+ years ago so I could just pay with one check. Now it's to my benefit with the purchased power credits. The way it works here is after 12 months any credits you have are wiped out, you just lose them. This way any credits help lower my home bill as well. Not to bad for a 4.5kw system. I need to tweak it some though I think. KCPL's bill said I produced 257kWh during that time and if memory serves me right it was higher.

Talked to my friend who installed solar on his house and he told me how to read the meter. I went out today and read the meter. According to it since 9-3-13 I've produced 304kWh of energy. I'm able to monitor my system through Enlightens website and according to the website I produced 539kWh in that same amount of time(lifetime). Anyone know why the difference? I know there will be some drop but that's about 43% which seems to be high.

Not sure what else anyone might be interested in but if there's more you want to know just ask. TIA

Pete

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

Could it be when they read the meter and wrote the bill vs. just reading it today?

Any type of line loss?

Just a thought...

 

[71350SS]

Pete,Did they give you an estimate of how long it will take to make up for the investment of the solar panel install ?

 

[Kaizen]

I would definitely start keeping a daily or weekly tab. mistakes can happen in big companies. Just a guess thgouh the electric co is showing you the net. So you did produce more but used some so they will only record the net. isn't there a meter upstream from the kpl meter? If there is that and the kpl should be in sync.

 

[1971-Chevelle]

When I hooked up my cousin's grid tie, I installed a separate meter so he could keep track of what he is producing. However, the way it works where he lives is that the co-op lets all the extra credit accumulate and then they send you a check at the end of the year (the power companies here have to procure 15% of their electricity from renewable resources by law).

He has not had an electric bill since last August (he does have to pay the $9.62 per month base charge). He got a little over $200 back last year (from August through December), so each year he will basically be getting paid to have a meter hooked up.

His system is large - 17,280 watts - but his house is 7,190 square feet. He can set both AC units at 75 degrees and the meter will still spin backwards. He had the cash to do the system himself using B grade panels, so his installation cost was around $29,000. He got $18,000 back on the rebate, so his system should be paid for in 5 years or less.

 

[EugeneSchultz]

Trying to figure the bill out since it's only 24 days vs. the 30 days it would normally have been. It's confusing with all the "adjusted" demands, etc... It looks like my bill would have been 111.76 but when all is said and done they credited my account(purchased power credit) 1.87. That came off my home bill as the account has both my home and business on it. I set it up that way 30+ years ago so I could just pay with one check. Now it's to my benefit with the purchased power credits. The way it works here is after 12 months any credits you have are wiped out, you just lose them. This way any credits help lower my home bill as well. Not to bad for a 4.5kw system. I need to tweak it some though I think. KCPL's bill said I produced 257kWh during that time and if memory serves me right it was higher.

Talked to my friend who installed solar on his house and he told me how to read the meter. I went out today and read the meter. According to it since 9-3-13 I've produced 304kWh of energy. I'm able to monitor my system through Enlightens website and according to the website I produced 539kWh in that same amount of time(lifetime). Anyone know why the difference? I know there will be some drop but that's about 43% which seems to be high.

Not sure what else anyone might be interested in but if there's more you want to know just ask. TIA

Pete

So the electricity bill has come down..Good even I am trying to cut electricity bill and you have shared a nice way to do that.

 

[EugeneSchultz]

Trying to figure the bill out since it's only 24 days vs. the 30 days it would normally have been. It's confusing with all the "adjusted" demands, etc... It looks like my bill would have been 111.76 but when all is said and done they credited my account(purchased power credit) 1.87. That came off my home bill as the account has both my home and business on it. I set it up that way 30+ years ago so I could just pay with one check. Now it's to my benefit with the purchased power credits. The way it works here is after 12 months any credits you have are wiped out, you just lose them. This way any credits help lower my home bill as well. Not to bad for a 4.5kw system. I need to tweak it some though I think. KCPL's bill said I produced 257kWh during that time and if memory serves me right it was higher.

Talked to my friend who installed solar panel on his house and he told me how to read the meter. I went out today and read the meter. According to it since 9-3-13 I've produced 304kWh of energy. I'm able to monitor my system through Enlightens website and according to the website I produced 539kWh in that same amount of time(lifetime). Anyone know why the difference? I know there will be some drop but that's about 43% which seems to be high.

Not sure what else anyone might be interested in but if there's more you want to know just ask. TIA

Pete
So the electricity bill has come down..Good even I am trying to cut electricity bill and you have shared a nice way to do that.

Got the solar panels and will install them very soon..

 

[1badss396]

Pete,Did they give you an estimate of how long it will take to make up for the investment of the solar panel install ?

100+ years

 

[71350SS]

100+ years

:beers:LOl
I'm going to coat my house in photovoltaic cells and open my own electric comglomerate.

 

[71350SS]

100+ years

Brad,your answers funnier but I already got the answer in a PM

 

[1badss396]

Just wanted to say 100+ years

 

[1971-Chevelle]

Did you happen install your own meter to track what your system produces?? I installed separate meters on both of the grid ties that I installed for my cousins. They are able to see what they are actually producing.

However, the reason you may be seeing a difference between your online tracking and what the power company says you produced, is that the online system will show total power output. The power company will show what you produced over and above what you used (you will still be using power from the grid, unless your system is massive). That may account for the difference.

 

[GSMCGSMC]

Pete, it sounds like your system's doing really well. That seems to be a great yield you're getting. I received my second bill since my system was installed and I'm happy with the results. I just picked up another 20 panels (cheap) to hopefully put up a solar carport. I'm looking for a deal on some enphase 215 inverters.

I'm supporting a solar advocate this election instead of our present public service commissioner who knocks the solar program every chance he gets and is supported heavily by the utility company...imagine that.

Good luck with all your systems

 

[charbilly2001]

(the power companies here have to procure 15% of their electricity from renewable resources by law).


Which is one of the most outrageous rip off's I have seen in my adult life. there are fewer things less efficient than than solar panels that operate only when the sun shines.

Speaking from experience, I know that geo thermal is ok for as long as the heat can be extracted from the earth. Hydro electric is pretty good as long as the water flows. Coming in at a clear third in terms of efficiency is nuclear power which can be operated at full power generally for 2 to 2 1/2 years 24/7 between refueling and produces prodigious power compared to the cost of that power.

Everything after that fails the "economies of scale" miserably. Your solar could never pay you anything without those contributions of my tax dollars. Had I anything to say about it I would deny you your rebates and then we'd see how quickly those panels sold.

GSM I am glad that your electrical costs are improved. Just be aware that your savings come directly out of my pocket and other rate payers like me. The tip off is always the word "rebate". Rebate = my tax dollars. Enjoy what you have until we can get these laws overturned.

 

[66sc]

For the OPs confusion about comparing bill amounts, it seems basic to simply divide cost by days or kWH by days to get $/day or kWH/day. Then compare pre and post solar panel installation.

 

[GSMCGSMC]

GSM I am glad that your electrical costs are improved. Just be aware that your savings come directly out of my pocket and other rate payers like me. The tip off is always the word "rebate". Rebate = my tax dollars. Enjoy what you have until we can get these laws overturned.

Bill, I'm glad too that my bills are lower. Stop whining about the rebates. I hope they double them... I can't wait to pick up a used Nissan Leaf and not have to pay gas / highway taxes also. And by the way, don't you dare take advantage of any income tax loopholes. I'll be paying the difference right out of my pocket.

 

[Adam Loose]

How do you even go about getting a solar setup installed in your home? Where do you go or who to contact? How much does the average setup cost? I've thought about it a few times.

 

[1971-Chevelle]

Adam:
Here is a place to start: Click Here You should be able find a local electrical contractor who can do an install for you. Be aware that the cost of the systems on the page I linked will not include any contractor labor or permits (if required).

 

[Adam Loose]

Adam:
Here is a place to start: Click Here You should be able find a local electrical contractor who can do an install for you. Be aware that the cost of the systems on the page I linked will not include any contractor labor or permits (if required).

Thanks, I'll look into it.

 

[no1dc]

I sorry some feel that those of us receiving incentives are hurting you. The incentives help push us towards using alternative energy production. We must also look at the positive impact alternative energy production has on our environment. It has to start somewhere and by someone. The reduced energy bills are a great side effect of alternative energy production.