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Early-Consequence-61 OP t1_jbj7n9f wrote

To clarify because I suck at posting on Reddit- I see quite a few houses with solar on them and wondering if it’s effective in someplace that has actual seasons

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coolwubla t1_jbjddc6 wrote

There seems to be a common misconception about Solar and temperature. Solar energy comes from Light not heat. The fact that it’s cold in the winter has no effect on solar. However shorter days with less direct sun does have an effect. However, the only place where this would not have a significant effect would be at the equator.

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refpuz t1_jbjjeq9 wrote

Temperature of the panels does affect solar panel efficiency though. It is measurable, but comes in second to total daylight in terms of total daily output. It is significant enough that there are now Hybrid PV-Thermal Panels which generate both electricity and hot water. The water loop cools the panels which increases efficiency (up to 15% more electricity generated) while also turning the waste heat into usable hot water for your home. They are more efficient because they turn more of the solar energy into useable stuff for your home than just electricity or thermal panels separately.

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infamousdx t1_jbjz7x2 wrote

> The fact that it’s cold in the winter has no effect on solar.

Also not entirely true in that panels become more efficient when it's below 77 degrees until, I think, 59 degrees. That is to say, on those really random chilly spring or fall days where you still have very long sunlight hours, you will see more production than you'd see during summer where you have the longest sun hours.

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jbl429 t1_jbke9sl wrote

Exactly. I'm getting more production out of my solar panels now in March where I'm really only producing from 9:30 - 3:30 than I will in the middle of July where the days are way longer, but it's 90F+ outside.

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Early-Consequence-61 OP t1_jbk6w9j wrote

What I meant was that I am currently much closer to the equator, and I barely see clouds in the sky so solar makes easy sense. But in a place that’s cloudy rainy, wintery, foresty, wasn’t sure. Wondering if it’s a selling point on a house or a pain in the ass or worse, useless. Glad to hear otherwise

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jd3marco t1_jbjfx52 wrote

January was our first full month with solar. Our system produces 7kwh max (I’m told, but I see a max of 3.5kwh in winter.). It generated 200kwh, which a more than half of what we use, typically. It saved us about $60. It was over 300kwh in February, saving us about $90. I still owed $15 to pseg for electric.

Our panel position is only ok, not optimal. I’m sure others are doing a bit better. My rough estimate for break-even on owning solar is about $60 per month for the life of the system (25years). Even February broke even, so I am hopeful. We’ll see what summer brings…

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infamousdx t1_jbks9l4 wrote

Did the solar company do a break even analysis on the cost of your system?

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jd3marco t1_jbl2ssd wrote

Yes, but i was concerned that they present a rosier picture. I have it…somewhere. I did crude estimates and didn’t really factor in credits earned in my state. I took the cost after fed tax credit and divided by the life of the panels. I estimated my electric at about $100 per month (we have gas too). I assumed that the net metering would average out so that I basically don’t pay for electric. I have to see what summer is like.

The break even, by my estimate is about 11.5yrs. Then, there is 13 years of additional savings, plus whatever the trec credit things are. Minus whatever it costs to move these panels in 15yrs when I need a new roof. I assume energy prices will continue to rise, but I won’t be affected as much. A good deal, I would say, even if I have fuzzy math.

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infamousdx t1_jbljulo wrote

11 years sounds about right if your original electric bill was only $100 per month. Curious as to why you went for solar with such a small bill?

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jd3marco t1_jbloz8k wrote

It’s not the size of the bill… I guess we are efficient. It was just two of us. I will keep the house cooler now that we have solar. We still don’t like to keep the house cold. 76 maybe in summer.

We have a kid now and expect the bill to be higher. I also plan to charge an electric vehicle. Doing what I can since my daughter’s generation is inheriting a pretty fucked up planet.

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rossmosh85 t1_jbn18nu wrote

Your math doesn't add up from my experience. I know electricity prices are regional, but as far as I know when you add supply and delivery, most of NJ is $.18/kWh. So 200kWh would be a savings of $36 not $60.

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jd3marco t1_jbn9143 wrote

It’s rounded a bit…rough as I said. $58.52 saving in January. I also rounded down my production from 209. We used 49kwh this month. and were charged 7.17 for delivery and 6.60 for supply. It’s about $0.28 combined.

Are we getting screwed more than most of NJ? They sent a letter in January that they were decreasing the price, but i haven’t compared.

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midnight_thunder t1_jbjoyd1 wrote

In winter months only south facing panels do well. We have a few north facing panels that were basically in the shade all winter. Now that the sun is getting higher in the sky, those panels are actually collecting some light.

You’re going to be quoted a annual kWH production number when looking to install. Just know that you’re going to produce far below average in the winter, and far above average in the summer.

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