My DIY Solar WI

09/21/2024

I'm starting a new roof-mount solar project. It will be 11.3 kW (28 panels, 7 Hoymiles Microinverters). I'm having trouble finding Unirac rails in the Midwest so I may need to pick a different design. I'll keep you all posted. Roof pitch is 7/12 (30deg) and azimuth is 225. This will be a grid-ties system again.

08/14/2023

Here is my 2-year update from Utility website. In Aug 21, $135 to Aug 22 (-$10) and now Aug 23 (-$9). My total production for 2022 was 10.1 MWh. My Lifetime production so far was ~20 MWh.

In the production graphic, you can see that my winters in Wisconsin are not great. Primarily because of the tall Trees to my south and the fixed 30 deg. angle.

08/14/2023

Did anyone else notice WE electrical Base charge went up by ~14% earlier this year from ~$0.145 to ~$0.166. I guess I can't complain because they increased my buy-back rate to $0.04642 (+9%). So, On on a ROI basis, it just works in my favor.

11/04/2022

Nothing tells a story more than an utility bill with next to nothing charged (or credit some months) for electrical usage. Perhaps I should go on vacation in December when the sun is blocked by my neighbor's trees.

08/27/2022

Here is my 1-year update after Installing an 8.5kw ground mount system in WI with 30 deg. fixed angle. I'm using (5) Hoymiles 1500W Microinverters and (20) Qcell 425w panels. In this you can see that Jan. in WI are not great wrt production. My system is not optimally aligned and I have very tall trees to the south. But, the rest of the year is covered.

The second plot is by week comparing Production to needs. Basically Nov9 to Feb 9th I need to take from the utility.

07/30/2022

July has been a good month so far for production from my 8.5kWh system, > 1.25mWh and only 1 day (out of 29) below 20kWh. I'm facing slightly west (195 deg.) and fixed at 30 deg tilt using 5 1500W Hoymiles Microinverters. Our July in SE WI has been cooler, but on days with AC running 24/7 I need about 38 kWh so I think I'm covered for Wisconsin's worst if they return.

02/13/2022

Clipping, it's a real thing. I'm using Hoymiles HM1500 quad Microinverter (4 panels) and like most systems, mine is designed with panel wattage over my inverter rating. So, the clipping is not an issue, unless excessive. The reason it's not an issue, is because most of the year my system is not optimal an not going to produce 100% panel rating (8.5 kw). There are always going to be system loss due to cloudy days, unmatched sun angle, temperature, etc. For my system in Wisconsin, I've only seen clipping about 5 times since install last August.

02/05/2022

This is what happens when you clear the snow and let the sun do the work. I'm so glad I went with ground mount.

12/18/2021

Complete set of pictures before and after build

219 new items added to shared album

12/18/2021

Panoramic view from south (left) to North (right). Tall trees cast shadow on panels in December.

12/18/2021

This is a video clip of my Solar array power by panel. I'm using (5) Hoymiles HM1500 microinverters (4 panels inputs each). The variation you see is caused by tree shadows.

11/21/2021

Unboxing the Hoymiles HM1500NT and Bus Cable