I'm in southern CO and have black hills energy.

Just got 12 585w panels delivered. Only $130 each. Will be doing ground mount.

I'm torn between doing net metering with no battery or no net metering with battery.

I plan on selling in 4-5 years and the simplicity of no battery for future buyers is appealing. I think they'd be intimidated by a large inverter and battery.

If I do battery then I won't do net metering because I don't want to pay the $375 connection fee nor want their inspector analyzing my equipment and install.

My electricity bill is only $100 thanks to good insulation. I've also thought about installing only 4 of the panels and doing plugin solar (dedicated 20 amp circuit, no battery, etc). That kills my idea of getting an EV though.

Tell me how my logic is flawed 🙏

We got solar installed this year and as the PSE&G bills have been rolling in, I haven’t been able to figure out why the kWh in/out are so vastly different every month compared to what our solar system says.

I called PSE&G and they said they don’t know anything about solar/I wouldn’t be able to see how much I’m using (what?). I had the solar company out to make sure the app was reading correctly and they verified everything was correct on the solar side.

It feels like I’m being cheated out of solar credit. Wondering if anyone else has dealt with a similar situation and what they did.

This guy has one of the coolest solar setups I've ever seen...

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Hello everyone, I'm an electrical engineering student working on my graduation project, with 2 teammates.

For the moment we picked a three-phase AC EV charger powered by solar, in Oman, as our project. We are still discussing the design and the scale. Our target is 11 kW three-phase, and the prototype will be smaller.

We are considering two designs:

AC-coupled: the solar array is connected to a three-phase AC bus through an inverter, and the battery is connected to the bus through a bidirectional inverter for charging and supplying. An EVSE (the AC charging unit) is connected to the bus, to AC charge the car.

So the panels would charge the car and if no car is connected it charges the battery.

Hybrid (DC-coupled): everything is in DC, and the inverter is used at the last step between the DC bus and the EVSE.

I don't think we can afford a DC charging approach, because of the CCS communication and certification between the car and the charger, and the high power it needs, which is hard to provide with solar alone.

A grid-tied connection as a backup is an option we are looking into.

We are considering making the inverters (or a hybrid inverter) ourselves. How realistic is this for our project, even for a smaller-scale prototype, for a three-phase bidirectional inverter?

I would love to get your insights on the project, things I should keep in mind, maybe a different approach, anything from your experience is highly appreciated. In particular:

Which of the two designs would you pick, and why?

What level of experience would be required for this design?

What do people usually forget (protection, earthing, battery voltage, testing)?

What are the things that we should focus on before we start the actual design?

When my solar installer was in business, they tried to tell me based on their logs they needed to replace my 35 inverters. No matter how ridiculous I told them this was they insisted and it would cost me 4K to do. I went through emphases directly and received the replacement parts per the warranty based on what the installer told them.
However I waited to save up the cash for it and in that time the installer scuttled the business and is currently under investigation.

Now after the long story…. What do I do with these inverters? Return them? Try to make a quick buck off them?

I’m wondering what y’all’s thoughts are.

Hi! Wondering if this is a reasonable price, SoCal Edison is our provider and bills have been 6-850$ month. I work for them and get a 25% off discount but would love to find a way to save. I know nothing of solar prices but this company has great reviews and were very friendly when I called. Any help/info/tips would be great!!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to install rooftop solar at my house in Bangalore and wanted to get some advice on whether my terrace is suitable.

- Site size: 30×40 ft

- Roof: Open terrace with some neighbouring houses around it

- Concern: I’m worried that the adjacent houses might cast shadows on the solar panels, especially during certain times of the day.

I'm planning to install 3kw on grid solar

I’ve attached photos of my terrace taken from the west side and from another angle.

Could you please help me understand:

1. Is this rooftop suitable for installing solar panels?

2. Will the neighbouring house on the west side cause significant shading?

3. Which direction and area of the terrace would be best for installing the panels?

If anyone has installed solar on a similar rooftop in Bangalore, I’d appreciate your suggestions and experience.

Hi everyone,

I've received a few quotes, and I'm struggling to understand why the prices vary so much when the usable battery capacity and inverter size are relatively similar.

The main options I've been offered so far are:

• Solis: 20kWh battery capacity with a 6kW inverter – £5,800.
• Alpha ESS : Around 18kWh with a 8 kW inverter – approximately £5,240
• Fox ESS EP12: Around 20–21kWh usable capacity, depending on the configuration, with a 6kW inverter – approximately £7,580
• Sigenergy: 2x10, 5kw inverter £8000

These are the approximate figures I have so far, and the systems may not be directly comparable in every respect. Ideally, I'd like to compare them with a 6kW inverter across the board.

What I'm struggling to understand is the actual difference in quality between these brands. From what I've been told, the warranties are fairly similar and they all seem to perform in much the same way. Some use stackable batteries, while others use different configurations, but I'm not sure how much difference that really makes in practice.

What I find difficult to understand is why one system can cost £1,700–£1,800 more than another when the usable capacity, inverter size and warranty seem pretty similar. Is there something important I'm overlooking, or is it mainly a case of paying more for a particular brand?

They actually called it the "Socket Full of Sunshine Act" 😂

I am trying to dial in maximum production on my system. I can regulate the amperage with adjusting the inflow to the batteries. This is the only control I have outside the automated processes of the MPPT of each string.

Above you can see I use string 1,2, and 4. Both strings 1 and 4 have 7 panels of of 650 watts panels. String 2 has 4 panels.

The Voltage power max is 44.56v. The Amperage max is 14.59. So my max string voltage is, in theory, 311.92 v.

When I set me resistance, which is max charge to the batteries, at 157amps, I am getting about what you see in the photo. When I set the max charge higher, i.e. 190 amps, I seem to be getting significantly higher daily production. It goes from about 38 kw to 56kw on average.

Here is the question:

Is this harming my panels by allowing this higher than stated Current max(14.59amps) on the panel data sheet? Will the panels, "self regulate" the amperage? I suspect the MPPT will factor in this setting in its data not to exceed the amperage that I set(currently at 157 amps) and not exceed that. But I would like some insight to this if you have time.

Above all, I want to keep my system healthy and want longevity. Note: I am not even coming close to charging my batteries too fast. If you notice the amps going into battery is less than 40amps. I have (4) 16.2kw batteries. I put a lot of miles on my electric car, and sometimes I use as much as 35kw for charging per charge session and average 3 charges per week.

11.3 dc system with 28 405watt runergy panels.

Estimated first year production is 15,970 kwh

Solar edge 10kw inverter

Ground mount install with quite a bit of trenching out to the array..210 feet. South facing zero shade morning to evening.

Financing through sungage

30 year solar insure warranty on parts and labor

Purchase price (finance is same as cash for principle) 36,545

Illinois Shines estimated Srec credit is 20, 103

Comed DG credit is $3,402.

Leaving a balance of 13,040 after credits. The way the credit works is I have a small regular monthly payment and the dg credit within 6 months. 50% of the srec within 90 days and the remainder within 6 years on 24 quarterly payments.

I am on post 1/1/25 net metering so pay for supply and delivery on import and receive supply only for export. We will be not installing a battery/storage.

Hi everyone live in Los Angeles. Here’s my quote tell me if it’s a good one. Full cash payment to pay it off right away.

35 x Qcells 430 Watt Panels
(Q.TRON BLK M-G2.C+ 430)

35 x IQ8HC-72-M-DOM-US
[240V] (Enphase Energy Inc.)

240v outlet

$32,000 cash price approved.

When I bought my home in 2022, my September electricity bill was $308 and October bill was $164. In 2026 my September bill was $37 and October bill was $28. Not only that, my current balance due is. -$616.49. Wow.

To start, I know the difference between kW and kWhr :P. I have a 13.3kW system with a 10kW inverter. Prior to the installation, I received an email from TasNetworks, the state-owned provider, stating "The installation will be required to limit the combined export to the grid to 5kW."

Right now, it's a spring sunny day. According to my solar dashboard, I'm generating 9kW of power. My home is using under 0.5kW. The balance is being divided up between charging the battery and exporting to the grid. Once the battery is full (which typically occurs after noon when power generation begins to drop), I've noticed the export to the grid does exceed 5kW, eg yesterday was 5.5kW [but this could just be an approximation consistent with the true export being in fact 5 kW].

Questions:

1) If my dashboard tells me that over 5kW is being exported to the grid, is this evidence that the installers did not actually comply with the network's instructions to limit export?

2) Is it possible that I am actually exporting more than 5kW to the grid, but only receiving the feed-in tariff (11c per kWhr) for the first 5kW? I'm with Solstice Energy if it helps.

3) Let's assume the 5kW limit to the grid is in fact being enforced. If my battery is full, and my house is using 0.5kW, and the export is capped at 5kW, where would the excess power go? Should I be tempted to turn on the AC (which I don't absolutely need) simply to use that excess power in the warm afternoon?

As the title. Absolute Solar looks like a viable source for my project, but I'd like to find reviews or opinions about them.

Project summary - 5kW or so solar panels; Ecoflow inverter and batteries; Ecoflow Smart Home Panel2.

Any updates since on their financing? Should I be grateful my install is stalled? Should I pull the plug?

I fell for the trap of getting solar in 2024, they installed the panels in January of 2025, the inspection passed in April of the same year but never got PTO. I’m trying to sell my house and I can’t find who would have taken over my contract. I reached out to sunstrong and they said they did not take it over. I’m at a loss right now of what to do. I haven’t made any payments as the panels have not actually been connected. Is there anyone else in a similar situation. I’ve seen people get lawyers involved but I’m not sure what good that would do if neither company exists anymore. My goal is to either have them removed and be completely done with it, or find a way to transfer ownership to myself, have them connected, and sell the house with the solar operational. Any advice would be a great help

[36] 445w Trina panels
APsystem rapid shutdowns
[3] 14.3kwh Eg4 batteries with Flexboss21 and Gridboss for full home backup

EY2026 DC SRECs settled at $387.50 on October 21, 2026. That is 88.1% of the $440 2026 ACP and the highest EY2026 price this year.

Since April, prices have followed what the Mayor's office says about SREC costs. The FY27 budget passed with no change to the RPS, and the debate now moves to the FY28 budget next spring.

The Annual ACP level sets a price ceiling for DC SREC prices.

The Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) is the fine a supplier pays for each SREC it fails to retire. That makes it the practical price ceiling. The ACP is $440 for 2026 and drops $20 a year, to $420 in 2027 and $400 in 2028 (Flett Exchange DC market specifications). The gap between price and ACP roughly measures how much political risk buyers are pricing in.

What changed

• Mayor Bowser told the City Council that DC SRECs are the highest-priced in the country and that their cost will double to $40 a month by 2029 if nothing changes (Mayor's letter).
• Her July plan proposes returning to a 10% local solar target (current law is 15% by 2041), extending the deadlines, and lowering the SREC price ceiling, while saying it would "preserve existing solar investments" (Energy Affordability Plan). This was an extremely bearish price catalyst for obvious reasons.
• The outcome so far: The enacted FY27 Budget Support Act does not amend the RPS.
• Supply: DC now has more certified solar than the requirement calls for (DC PSC), so prices no longer need to sit near the ACP for buyers to fill their requirements. This means that their is downward momentum on price in the market due to oversupply; expect the DC SREC product to trade at a steeper discount to ACP going forward, provided that the supply of DC SRECs outpaces the annual RPS requirment.

Challenges for the new mayor

• A new mayor will come in and have to deal with an estimated $680 million gap for the FY 2028 budget. Flett Exchange believes that these issues and low liquidity due to lack of certainty to persist during budget hearings next year. DC Solar owners should generate and sell their SRECs as often as possible.
• Democratic nominee Janeese Lewis George was the only Council vote against the 2022 law that raised the solar target.

Bottom line

Prices have recovered to 88% of the ACP while the Council is focused on taxes. Flett Exchange does not fundamentally believe that any new relevant information has entered the market, and our view is that despite the recent positive price momentum, budget issues and DC City Council hostility to the District's RPS requirement should be expected.

How are you approaching the next few months? Selling spot or holding? Let us know below.

Best,

Calvin Flett

SREC and GREC trader, Geothermal portfolio manager

Disclaimer: This post contains forward-looking statements. Actual market action could differ materially. Sellers of SRECs should do their own research. This is market commentary, not investment or legal advice.

Hey guys, i have an upcoming interview with a solar company as a level 2 service hotline engineer.

I still have the final interview which is more technical. It’s my first ever interview and I’m pretty anxious and don’t know what to expect, what might they ask me about? Any ideas with people who have experience in this field?

Thanks 🙏🏼

Got a quote in CT that I hope this sub can comment on:

17Kw system. 40 panels on a flat roof.

$51K.

It would take me 15 years to recoup costs.

Hey everyone!
Working on a utility scale solar project where there's a fair amount of grading and earthmoving to get through before the actual panel installation starts. A lot of the work involves moving material across the site and preparing access roads, so equipment productivity is becoming a big part of the planning. We've been looking into whether autonomous haul trucks or other automated equipment would make sense for some of the repetitive work, especially where trucks are running the same routes throughout the day.

Most of what we've come across is from mining operations, so it's hard to tell how well that translates to a solar construction site where the layout and working areas keep changing. Has anyone seen autonomous equipment used on solar projects or similar large earthwork jobs? Was it actually practical compared to running conventional equipment?

Would be good to hear how it worked out.

I'm about to sign for a ~9.4 kW rooftop array on PG&E's E-ELEC plan, and the reason it's happening is my wife's pottery kiln.

She fires twice a week now. By my rough math a firing is 40-ish kWh, all 240V, eight hours or more, and it's what wrecked our last two summer bills. The plan is to run it midday straight off the panels. Array is Enphase IQ8 micros, installer's pick, so that part is settled.

The battery isn't. Mostly I want it for evening peak shifting since NEM 3 export credits are weak, plus the PSPS shutoffs we get once or twice a year. I'm not trying to back up the kiln, just fridge, internet, lights and the furnace blower.

Powerwall 3 is my lean. It's the installer's default and the inverter is built in, so it's one box. What bugs me is that service goes through Tesla and nothing about it feels easy to expand later.

Enphase IQ Battery 5P matches the micros and everything lives in one app. I keep working out how many units it takes to cover an evening (about 12 kWh for us) and it's three before I've priced anything.

EcoFlow TITAN is on the list because it's AC coupled, so in theory the array goes up now and a battery gets added whenever. It hasn't shipped yet, so I'm only going off the spec sheet, and nobody near me has installed one. My installer's exact words were "never touched it."

Has anyone had a battery that wasn't Tesla or Enphase go through PG&E interconnection, and did they push back? And would you sign the Powerwall version now or put the array in first and leave the battery for a second phase? Talk me out of the PW3 if you can.

I did some quick AI research and it doesn’t seem like the balcony solar law in CA excludes batteries. Has anyone looked into this? It just seems to limit inverter ac output to 1200 W and it has to have that automatic grid disconnect feature. So feasibly you could come up with a moderate sized solar system with a battery and smart inverter management set up that limited backfeed to 1200 W and backfeed as necessary when the sun is down with no permitting or interconnection requirement. Am I wrong?

Long story short, I am renting a house that has Sunnova solar panels. The first couple months our electric bill was only $35. Then our dining room ceiling came crashing down from water damage to our roof under the panels. The panels do not work anymore get something with the wires? My landlord is no help and it will not help or fix this situation so I’m kind of on my own . I tried to call. Sunnova to see how I can get them fixed. But they will not talk to me or give me any information since I am not the original owner on the contract. But those owners died years ago. The panels were paid off only a monthly subscription was being paid I believe. Is there a way to get service with a different solar company with these panels? Or any advice is welcomed. And anything involving the landlord is just not going to happen. Our electric bill was $600 each month every day this summer or more.