Solar on an Extremely Cloudy Day in June

Solar opponents always come back with - yeah, but what if it's cloudy, you don't get any production. Well, that is not technically true. There is still production, just less than under full sun. And as long as you aren't trying to be off-grid, that is fine. Let me make clear right here, solar is not for everyone (for a variety of reasons, circumstances or beliefs), and I certainly don't care what each and every person decides to do - do whatever works for you.

June is a historically cloudy and rainy month for NH - just ask anyone who attend Laconia Bike Week every year. Such has been the case this year with lots of persistent overcast days and passing showers. However, my arrays have put out more energy than I've used every day, and I probably average around 30 kwh output so far this month. Well, then there was yesterday where I used more than I produced. Bet you can't guess when the real heavy clouds moved in with rain - LOL

BTW, That big usage is the two loads of laundry I dried (I was out doing errands between loads - thus the break in usage). If I hadn't done laundry, I would have come out ahead on production - or at worst, even with usage.

And then there is the news that Eversource, the main NH utility provider (not supplier - they buy from the market),. They have announced that prices will be dropping drastically starting in August. This is due to natural gas prices dropping. They have two rate adjustments per year, August and February, as that is when they renegotiate with their suppliers. The below is from the link provided previously:

Please note that the rates shown are for electricity supply only. It is not the effective rate since there are various fees and charges (per kwh) that are separate, and an almost $14 monthly fee that is just to have a meter (so if you have 2 meters, say a separate one for a detached garage, you will have two $14 charges each month).

With NH's regulation of Eversource and net metering, I get credit dollars back for all supply charges and fees except for the meter charge and the two smallest fees that add up to 1.6 cents / kwh. Getting dollars credited, instead of kwh credits will serve me well next winter according to the surplus I am running. It doesn't serve me so well on the actual ROI - but that was never in the running since I was not expecting anything better than a 15 year return.

And as usual, it depends on the state, net metering rules (if there are any) and utility (such as independants may not credit at the supply rate as mine does), so anything I've written may not appply to other's situations/locations.

Comments

[Cop Car]

What would you do for entertainment without your solar array - lol. (Since I won't be around at your 15-year point, I want the results right now!)

Again, well done!

[bogie]

Yeah, for you it wouldn't make sense. Not sure what the ROI would be for KS since you get more "usable" sun thru the winter (and presumably the summer too since you are closer to the equator). But still, you would need the payback to be nearly immediate - and that ain't going to happen.

Ooh, just looked up KS net metering - overages expire in March of the following year, so that is not good. My overages either get paid back to me or roll thru the years (my choice).

[Cop Car]

Interesting about the difference in handling of overages between KS and NH. BTW: You really make an old, old woman feel anxious when you imply that she will die no later than next week - lol. (My comment about wanting the 15-year report right now was in reference to your system.)

[bogie]

So, I didn't word that as well as I could ;) Most people want a 3-4 (or no later than 6) year ROI. That is what I was saying, not implying you would kick the bucket any day now.

And, I didn't read your comment to its intent (my bad). Sorry, my crystal ball is still in the shop, so you'll just have to wait.

[Cop Car]

Ah, yes, just what we need in life: more crystal balls! Not to worry. We all know that my foot is on a banana peel - lol.