[dirtdiver]

Here in San Diego our rates are $ .21-42/KWh. I am figuring ~20KWh per day into the volt or about $7/da at average rates.

I just bought a 2017 volt and just bought another 18 ea 300w panels to supply the volt with electricity. The panels cost me $10K in parts and then another $2K in installation since I plan to do it myself over the next week. I already have 18 panels with the first go around (3 years ago). I will get 30% back in a tax credit.

I have the space for the panels and I like the idea of pre paying for my energy consumption. After 7 years I will be getting pay back on my panels. I get plenty of sun in CA so the panels generate a good amount compared to cloudy climates.


Many others doing this?

DD

 

[SharkVolt]

Have 22 grid tied ones, for about 5 years now, should break even in about two more years. great for Fresno sunny weather.

 

[longflare]

Mum has a small grid connect system here in Melbourne, Australia.
She has a 2013 Holden Volt, and is essentially driving for free.
I'd have to pass on any questions you have for her, as I'm not fully aware of the savings versus cost analysis or her charging regime.
similarly, if you're interested in specifications or prices, I can ask.

 

[Carlysle]

I have 44 panels on my grid tie system here in Arizona and it seems to keep up with the demand my Volt puts on it.

Carlysle

 

[FranandPat]

I think there are a fair amount on here. My power source is in my sig.

 

[llninja]

I don't have solar yet, the ROI isn't there since I have $0.06-0.08 per kWh electricity ($0.10-0.12 if you include all the taxes, fees) in IL mostly sourced from coal burning. I'm going to add solar panels in a few years anyway, probably with micro inverters so I can slowly upgrade as I feel the need for more. I'm pulling the LWI card (LLninja wants it) with no expectations of ever breaking even.

 

[Random]

There was an interesting thread some months back about how many panels to add for a VOLT (of course the additional number of panels depends on individual driving needs).

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?286073-How-many-more-solar-panels-to-install

I run 28 315 watt panels, very pleased, looks like I can make plenty of National Grid, grid tied credits to take me through this winter (no daily commute); already have a 2.4 MWh surplus going into September. Production will be way down between late October and next March. I may have enough credits to skip snow clearing this winter, we get a lot.

 

[solar_dave]

I have 72 175 watt panels, the Volt is well fed! LOL

 

[firehawk72]

I don't have solar yet, the ROI isn't there since I have $0.06-0.08 per kWh electricity ($0.10-0.12 if you include all the taxes, fees) in IL mostly sourced from coal burning. I'm going to add solar panels in a few years anyway, probably with micro inverters so I can slowly upgrade as I feel the need for more. I'm pulling the LWI card (LLninja wants it) with no expectations of ever breaking even.

For the do-it-your-self-er, payback, generally runs about 5-7 years (depending). Solar is actually really cheap. Prices have come down since I did mine back in 2012 (30) panels and then in 2015 I believe it was (6) more panels. I used Enphase after comparing everything out there and used SolarWorld Panels...zero regrets. I live in Kentucky so only the 30% federal tax credit applied. Break even in less than two year

 

[Neromanceres]

I have 34 275W panels each connected to Enphase M250 micro inverter's in a net metered installation.

I have racking and provisions to install 4 more panels if my demand warrants it.

 

[Dutch]

I don't have it at home, but work has a small experimental "solar farm" that they use, in part, for powering the EV spaces.
They just added this secondary set of panels about a month ago.

According to the guys in charge of it they expect about 20,000 kWH from each array next calendar year (around 40,000 kWH all told).

 

[JD4JC]

System summary in signature. Generated 20.9 MWh for calendar year 2016. Net metered with annual true-up paid at supplier's wholesale power cost (~6¢). About break-even on energy overall, pretty good considering large home and several outbuildings, all "all-electric."

 

[obermd]

I finally got my first full month electric bill after purchasing my Volt that didn't have other issues (such as the house HVAC issues resulting in the blower running non-stop for the full month) and my bill is actually about 90 cents lower than last year.

 

[imanjunk1963]

36 panels 245/255 watt panels on enphase m215 inverters that clip at 225 watts max, recovered my out of pocket cost in 4.5yrs...free til I die, covers my electric usage, saves me oil heating by burning off the rest of my net metered credits that has 1 year anniversay here in NYS, charges my volt once per day every day in the year. A WIN WIN! It will help me stay longer in my home as I age.

 

[edk-austin]

18x 275W panels with Enphase. 7.2MWHrs of production in first 12 months. Although I get much of my charging at work. Breakeven would be pretty long for me if I compared to cheap non-renewable rates, but at the $0.116/KWHr of my net metering plan, breakeven is about 8-10 yrs. And how cool is it to be "driving on sunshine"!

The other interesting thing is how much energy just goes back to the utility. Quite a bit in my case. But they pay me back the same $0.116/KWHr.

 

[Random]

... burning off the rest of my net metered credits that has 1 year anniversay here in NYS ...

I have a little extra for the winter too, and hoping to do the same, supplement my gas heat with a few Delonghi ceramic and oil heaters of different types around the home. At first, it looked like the best I could do is about 10% to 15% reduction in natural gas use, but maybe a little better, because when I heat the room I'm in, I find that I can let the rest of the home go a bit cooler.

No carryover credits in NY, use them or lose them, so it's a bit of a computer game from March to March. On the other hand, it's only tens to maybe a few hundred dollars one way or the other in a small home, so for me, mostly just for fun, a lot of effort with little real-world pay back (other than feeling good about running on the Sun).

I also see the grid tied PV system as part of my retirement plan, it was a big investment now, but minimal electricity costs for the rest of my life after I stop working, hopefully not for another ten years or so of continued part time work, my current phase of semi-retirement.

 

[dirtdiver]

I agree that it IS pretty cool to drive for free off the sun's energy. Some of you guys that get cheaper electric - I see how it doesn't make sense. Also as time moves forward there is liable to be even better energy solutions to be had. I would like to be totally off the grid but it is pretty expensive in batteries that go belly up every five years. Also the storage of the batteries and the hassle of keep ing all of that stuff working. I was out in the back yard today with a power auger digging 8 ea 30" holes for my new rack of 18 panels. All of the hardware is supposed to show tomorrow. I plan to do all of the mechanical construction then have an electrician wire everything up on Monday. He is also giving me a 220v plug for the new Volt.

 

[llninja]

I agree that it IS pretty cool to drive for free off the sun's energy. Some of you guys that get cheaper electric - I see how it doesn't make sense. Also as time moves forward there is liable to be even better energy solutions to be had. I would like to be totally off the grid but it is pretty expensive in batteries that go belly up every five years. Also the storage of the batteries and the hassle of keep ing all of that stuff working. I was out in the back yard today with a power auger digging 8 ea 30" holes for my new rack of 18 panels. All of the hardware is supposed to show tomorrow. I plan to do all of the mechanical construction then have an electrician wire everything up on Monday. He is also giving me a 220v plug for the new Volt.

Power auger, huh? I have a diesel tractor with a 3 point hitch post hole digger. My other option is a Shafer post pounder that can poke posts directly into virgin soil.

 

[linkim]

I only have 10 solar panels on my south-facing roof, but that is adequate to generate enough electricity with TOU so that the last two years I didn’t pay for any electricity. Because of the local building code, I could only add one more panel to the south-facing roof. Fortunately, we use very little electricity even with two EVs to charge. For full disclosure, we charge our Volt a lot in SF when we are staying with our daughter and her family.

 

[imanjunk1963]

because when I heat the room I'm in, I find that I can let the rest of the home go a bit cooler. Yes RANDOM, that is exactly what I do. I have a 2550 sqft house, turn the heat to 60 in all areas and heat up the rooms fully with the ceramic heaters I have as needed and move room to room, one while work at home, other when relaxing for the rest of the day noting I have open space in that later area into the kitchen so it all works out for me. I think I used just 500Gallons of oil or so for all last winter from last summer to right now...and ready to fill up my 330x2 tanks at the low oil 1.90 or less price right now. All just working out. And to those that take the utility credit, ours only gives us the electric rate wholesale price at what 4 cents! So its worth more to manage and burn it all of slolwy through the winter months. And yes MARCH is a perfect anniversary month to start building new credits for the next cycle which many dont pay attention to to set as that yearly recheck with util.