Solar 3kW + Tesla PowerWall in Auckland -> Started to Publish Stats as promissed

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Solar 3kW + Tesla PowerWall in Auckland -> Started to Publish Stats as promissed

RUKI

1402 posts

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#199024 1-Aug-2016 14:04

I've promised to everyone who had voted for me during the Future of Energy Competition last year to publish stats online.

Panels: 12 x 250W (3kW), 22 Degrees Elevation, Azimuth 306 (N54-W).

Battery: Tesla PowerWall 6.4kWh Li Pack.

Stats for the first full month (July 2016) are now available.

To give the bigger picture I've added historical data for the Mean Sunshine and Rainfall in Auckland.

Will be updating monthly here:

https://www.facebook.com/toyotahybridbatteryexperts

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7785 posts

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#1602304 1-Aug-2016 15:06

I never realised Auckland was so wet. It's practically Fiordland.

Mike

RUKI

1402 posts

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#1602473 1-Aug-2016 20:20

MikeAqua:

I never realised Auckland was so wet. It's practically Fiordland.

In comparison to other places in the World on the same latitude it dries out very quickly. Talking from experience of 100% humidity and minus temperatures, brrrrr

RUKI

1402 posts

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#1620623 1-Sep-2016 08:44

Solar Stats for August:

https://www.facebook.com/toyotahybridbatteryexperts/

jonherries

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#1620625 1-Sep-2016 08:53

RUKI:
Solar Stats for August:

https://www.facebook.com/toyotahybridbatteryexperts/

In the graph what does self consumption mean compared to consumption?

Jon

RUKI

1402 posts

Uber Geek

#1620736 1-Sep-2016 10:30

jonherries:
In the graph what does self consumption mean compared to consumption?
Jon

"Consumption" is overal consumtion of electricity from all sources - grid and solar.

"Self-Consumption" is consumption from the Solar System

During the day "Self-consumption" could be from both sources - from the panels & from the battery.

After sunset if battery is still charged "self consumption" will be from the battery. For example yesterday Solar Production stopped at 17:30 but battery was charged to about 96%. It fully discharged at about 22:45 allowing us to use energy stored in it.

Our system is set up for "maximum" "Self-consumption" meaning that we are using almost everything that Solar System generates for our needs and not for export. Hence the Bar for Self Consumption is almost similar to the Solar Production Bar. Last bill showed we only gave back to the grid 11 KWh and being paid $0.88 for it :-) (@8.8C/kWh)

richms

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#1620878 1-Sep-2016 14:06

I have no battery at all, and a pretty underwhelming system that has produced about 2.3kW at its best.

Last months genesys send me a paper buyer created invoice for the 1 unit I exported, totalling 6 cents, with a GST amount on it etc. They send it by snail mail because they dont to electronic invoicing on the buyer created ones for solar purchasing.

Damn waste of paper and time, but that is life with accountants I guess.

Richard rich.ms

dacraka

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#1620884 1-Sep-2016 14:25

Did you win one of the places in the Future of Energy Competition?

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RUKI

1402 posts

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#1620885 1-Sep-2016 14:30

dacraka:

Did you win one of the places in the Future of Energy Competition?

Correct. System was installed a year later after that competition. While campaiging a year ago I've made a promise to share stats so that people of New Zealand can make an informed decision. Now following on those promises I've made...

jonherries

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#1621228 2-Sep-2016 09:54

RUKI:
jonherries:
In the graph what does self consumption mean compared to consumption?
Jon

"Consumption" is overal consumtion of electricity from all sources - grid and solar.

"Self-Consumption" is consumption from the Solar System

During the day "Self-consumption" could be from both sources - from the panels & from the battery.

After sunset if battery is still charged "self consumption" will be from the battery. For example yesterday Solar Production stopped at 17:30 but battery was charged to about 96%. It fully discharged at about 22:45 allowing us to use energy stored in it.

Our system is set up for "maximum" "Self-consumption" meaning that we are using almost everything that Solar System generates for our needs and not for export. Hence the Bar for Self Consumption is almost similar to the Solar Production Bar. Last bill showed we only gave back to the grid 11 KWh and being paid $0.88 for it :-) (@8.8C/kWh)

So 250 into 1000 goes four times. Does this mean you have effectively met 25% of your electricity demand with this system in August? How much better will it be in summer do you think?

Jon

RUKI

1402 posts

Uber Geek

#1621266 2-Sep-2016 10:28

jonherries:

So 250 into 1000 goes four times. Does this mean you have effectively met 25% of your electricity demand with this system in August? How much better will it be in summer do you think?

Jon

System Production in August was 256, Self-Consumption in August was 236/1010 ~ 23.4%

In summer there will be less consumption and solar production should be higher.

This snapshot below illustrates Solar Production and Self-Consumption during one of the recent sunny days in August:

KrazyKid

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#1621278 2-Sep-2016 10:48

RUKI:

This snapshot below illustrates Solar Production and Self-Consumption during one of the recent sunny days in August:

That's a great graph, It clearly show why solar in uneconomic for most people if the can't store the power in some form (hot water, battery etc).

RUKI

1402 posts

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#1621290 2-Sep-2016 11:06

KrazyKid:

That's a great graph, It clearly show why solar in uneconomic for most people if the can't store the power in some form (hot water, battery etc).

You right about the storage but I would disagree with a statement that picture "clearly show why"... Too early to say "uneconimic". Solar Edge is publishing stats for UK and Australia with some examples where self-consumption is close to 100%! We'll see how it goes in Auckland, NZ.

Think about other people who in comparison to our (and maybe yours) situation consume 40% less electricity. I've seen response from one Wellingtonian - they have uploaded their August bill (~60% of our consumption).

There are other people who's activity is mainly during the day and they use gas for heating and for hot water. Our place does not have wood or gas burner..

"Uneconomic" depends on many factors including of course initial investment. Prices for panels are going down every year. Efficiency of the new generation of panels grows. They have started making roofing material in the form of the solar panels - that would be really cool. Electricity Prices are going up 5% p.a. Sun is still shining.

The stats I will collect during the year will provide basis for calculations.

KrazyKid

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#1621300 2-Sep-2016 11:20

RUKI:

Electricity Prices are going up 5% p.a. Sun is still shining.

First off keep up the good work. Interesting reading and raises awareness.

I disagree with the prices going up in NZ at the moment by 5% pa. Demand for electricity is flat in NZ and if the smelter closes all bets are off. But that's a small point.

I personally feel the for my own situation (Dunedin's limited sun hours and low use during the day) it will be a few more years before the prices/efficiency will give me a break even return over 10 years. But if we get near break even I'll be installing them in a flash.

NZ can't really use the green argument for solar since we produce so much power by Hydrothermal - especially for me in the SI. I think buying a eclectic or hybrid car is a greener move in my situation ATM.

RUKI

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#1624679 6-Sep-2016 15:56

Today, Auckland @ 15:30:

Jase2985

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#1624680 6-Sep-2016 15:58

so going off your info you are charging up your battery storage and using that completely every day? how many recharge cycles do the batterys have in them? what sort of output do you get from the batteries?

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