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jtkinpa

Solar Panel System

6 years ago

Hello all,


I recently had a solar panel system installed and wanted to share the details for any people out there thinking of installing as well.


Location: Central Pennsylvania


14 REC panels - 315 watts each = Total 4,410 watts.

SMA SunnyBoy inverter


Cost: $9,922.50 = $2.25/watt


Installation took one day and the inspection was first thing the next morning. The system has been up and running for 24 days and has produced 549.93 kWh. That time period includes a couple of rainy days where production was only ~5 kWh.


A few details about our house:

Our house is about 1,500 sq ft. Heat and hot water are natural gas (We have an extremely efficient condensing boiler that does both.) We do have air conditioning. It is just my wife and I in the house. We are very energy conscious and only use around 4,500 kWh per year, so this system should cover all of our electric needs. It is a grid-tied system without battery backup, so any excess power gets sent to the electric company and we pull from them if necessary (PA is a net metering state.)


Overall, we are extremely happy with the system so far. I would be glad to answer any questions anyone may have!



Comments (4)

  • 6 years ago

    Just received my first bill with the system in place. The only charge we have is $16 for being connected to the electric company. We have banked 187 kWh with the electric company that can be used in future months if necessary, or paid out on an annual basis next year.

  • 6 years ago

    Hi J K, Welcome to the wonderful world of solar!! We jumped in March 2013 and at the time our cost per watt at the time was $3.80. Thanks to the 30% Fed rebate (make sure you do that) and PA had a program back then that made our final cost $1.90 a watt.
    Our entire house is electric and we have no access to natural gas, so our system is much larger at 42 panels to do out heat, AC and all of our demand. That now includes a plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, so all of my driving is "free" and green. The only time I burn gas is when I drive about 1000 miles for vacation each year.

  • 6 years ago

    This and my basement are my next projects. I recently had my roof replaced and I wonder what happens if there is a leak after solar installation, would the solar company eat it or the roofing company? How are you protecting the panels from squirrel or bird nesting? Is your attic now hotter or cooler with panels on top? Is the big inverter better than the micro inverters, was there a cost difference on your package for the big inverter? Are you expected to clean the panels yearly or is the company offering that service? Did that company have a battery bank system what was the cost difference?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Its really nice. It worth it to going solar rather than wasting thousand s of dollar paying to the electricity companies.

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