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September 15, 2009
Thanks to the Enlighten feature that
allows you to play back the solar panel energy statistics graphically
over time I was able to clearly see that the solar panel on my solar
attic vent was causing a shading issue for over an hour in the late
morning.
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The solution was obvious, I just had to climb up and lower the panel so
that the shading issue was reduced. Now the panel on the vent will
be oriented toward the sun in the late afternoon rather than mid day,
but that is when the heat is highest in the attic, |
 
September 15, 2009
A
Central Maine Power crew came out to replace the single meter with a double
unit that allows for 2 readings, energy delivered by them and energy
generated by my solar array. Russell from CMP shows how the
new meter will install (left) and points to the meter (right) that shows
the solar power being generated. Only one meter spins at a time
indicating which way the current is flowing at the time. As we
watched one meter would stop and the other would start as loads changed
in the house. This was before full sun was shining on the solar
array, so the panels were barely meeting our energy needs at the time.
In full sun the bottom meter spins quite quickly as we export energy to
the grid. After the sun goes down we import it back.
The meter is installed as part of the Net Metering Contract that I
signed with CMP the company that delivers our electricity. There
are several reasons for this contract. First, the double meter
gives CMP statistics on how much power I am putting into the grid.
They need this data so they can report it to state and federal agencies
as part of the renewable energy portfolio for the state.
Secondly, this contract stipulates that I get full retail credit for
every kWh that I export. It is interesting to note that CMP's
computers do not have the capacity for crediting small residential
producers like me, so the billing has to be hand processed each month.
Keep in mind that due to deregulation, CMP does not generate power they
simply transmit and distribute it and handle billing for the energy
provider. In Maine there is the so-called "standard offer" which
has a state mandated mix of 40% renewable energy. This is
currently billed at 15 cents, while the 100% green power that we have
elected to purchase from
Maine Renewable Energy
costs us 18 cents. So we get a full 18 cent credit per kWh for our
power.
If we generate more than we use in any given month (likely to happen in
June) then that credit is "banked" against future months.
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December 15, 2009
  Another
learning opportunity came with the first 8 inch snow storm. I had
to clear the snow off the panels, so I went to the hardware store and
bought a snow rake for about $45.00. This tool has a plastic
"shovel" at the end of an extendable pole that assembles in 3 6 foot
long sections as needed. The panels are so far up that I added a
broom handle and still could not quite reach the top. I learned to
be meticulous, because any snow left on the panels will reduce the
performance as became very evident on the Enlighten web statistics. |
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