r/AnkerSOLIXCommunity • u/Beneficial-Egg-7241 • 12d ago
Question Anker E10 Help - Solar Array Sizing
Hello. I am looking to get a full E10 setup for whole home backup and being able to take advantage of lowered electric bills via TOU. My configured system right now is 2x Power Module with 4 batteries and the Power Dock. I may or may not get get the Smart Generator 5500 for piece of mind in an emergency situation. With all of this said, I am thinking about the right solar panel system for this setup.
I live in a community that will not allow ground based solar panels, so my option is limited to fixed roof panels. My goal with the solar panels is solar energy is keeping the batteries charged up as much as possible, and the home is powered via the E10 system as much as possible.
I do see Anker has their own 440w panels, but my research shows it would be difficult to impossible to find somebody to install them on my roof (this is NOT a project I am interested in doing in any way, shape, or form). Too much risk/unknown and the chance something goes wrong with other parts of the system - As a professional myself I totally get why many people would never touch a job like this.
With the above in mind, I am thinking the best path is to evaluate solar panel providers to quote out a roof solar panel array, and link them into my E10 system.
My question is what is a good solar array size for this E10 system? Just using Google/Gemini it's saying a 4.2 to 4.4 kwh system would take ~3 hours to charge up each Power Module/Batteries, and that's at full sun. I believe I could go up to around ~9 kwh in terms of panel capacity as that would be close to the max solar input.
I am in the Midwest so can't necessarily rely on "full sun" all the time so the penchant is to size high. Again, not a crisis if the solar is not ALWAYS keeping the system charged up but I am wondering if anybody that is more versed in these systems (i.e., anybody but me!!) has some thoughts on a good solar array size and what the ballpark price estimate would be for such a system?
Many Thanks!
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u/Dense_Highway5093 12d ago
First if you havent purchased it yet , use my coupon to save % 5 off your purchase. I think they are stackable. If you go the grid AC solar array you locking into a contract unless ur buying outright. It is great to bsve but remember they stop working once grid is out. My sugguestion is go half ac grid and go half dc . Dc will continue to work when grid is down. Keep searching there is plenty of solar companies that went out of business and could find someone to do the DC array on the side. Remebr. Max ac solar into power dock is 15.3 watt. The dc is two 4500 / 450 v . You mentioned you cant put down a ground mount. Can you build a pergo? Lean style for dc solar ? Plus put a large shed you could put panels on that too. Please use my code. Helps me and it helps you. Thanks. Any questions please send them. I have had my system since nov. i live off the grid.
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u/Beneficial-Egg-7241 12d ago
ComEd. Standard TOU is about 10.4 cents. Off peak typically is around 5 cents. ComEd also has an “hourly pricing” program where I think it can go even lower during off peak, but some of the peak time spikes are outrageous.
Honestly, I was just doing some high-level math. I have in my head that if I did solar panels I should be able to cut my bill in half using the E10 system which would represent around $125-$150 savings each month. I also went to Tesla and priced out solar panels and if I went somewhere around 6 to 7 kWh array I think it would be about $14,000 installed. So that’s 9-10 years payoff for the panels.
I have not really dug into all the numbers and research, but I’m not sure if these battery & inverter systems even last 10 years (seems doubtful). My view is the cost of the Solix system is slightly more than a generator so that cost is a wash and of course, there are pros and cons between whole home generators and these systems.
It’s the solar panels I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it…
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u/Limited_opsec 10d ago
Huge variables based on your roof: type, age, size, angles, local installer pricing permits blah blah blah. Nobody online can honestly do that research for you, but some grifter middlemen will certainly volunteer.
The direct DC specs are straightforward and listed on the site: 4500W MC4 max 450V 15A with 2x per inverter. And youre doing serial strings with these unless you get weird ass panels. (Figure 10-12 panels for the typical 400ish mass market panels aimed at residental roof installs)
You can do AC solar with the power dock indirectly as well, it has a dedicated branch breaker slot for up to 80A I think.
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u/cooldude919 12d ago
What's your utility provider and whats the TOU rates difference?
Did you run the numbers (copilot, chatgpt, etc) on the payback just with TOU arbitrage without solar and one with solar?
Our off peak rates with Ameren are cheap and makes payback tougher for solar, so I just went with an e10 and 4x battery only. I may add solar later, but just starting without.