Interesting questions to reflect upon. I just recently went down the solar road and installed a 8.4Kw system on my new home. I’m going to list out a few things I’ve learned, which you may already know or not already know!
What I have learned since joining this group of electricity generators is this:
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Although I live in the middle of the desert (Las Vegas) there is far less solar generation happening here than I thought. Yes I know that just down the 15 across State Line are the Ivanpah generators, however those are in CA, and also mirror generators.
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There are a few, read: Maybe 3? home builders in Las Vegas/N. Las Vegas/Henderson who are selling homes with the option of adding solar.
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NV Energy will not allow you to build a system that produces what they would consider an excess of power based on either your previous usage or the size of your home. In my case, because my home was new construction they only allowed a system up to 8.4Kw.
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I am bound by a contractual agreement with NV energy to shut off my system should there be a power outage. So if the neighborhood is black, I too must go black with them - even if I am still producing electricity!
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I was told by the company that sold and installed my system (Sol-Up Las Vegas, a STAND UP organization and fantastic product) that I should keep a log of my generating meter and my NV Energy meter each month as they may not always match up to what the company says they are.
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I am producing FAR more than I am using, which I am very proud of and which feels really good!
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I also will start earning SREC credits which turn into income each year just from owning the system, Here is some info on that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Renewable_Energy_Certificate
Finally, what I had to chuckle about is that it feels now like I am a competitor or a disruptor of the NV Energy business model. Every month in my bill a rate increase pamphlet is included, to which I really don’t need to concern myself with… however there is a part of me that feels like I am partially responsible for this (in a teensy way).
I received a letter back from NV Energy recently, which was my interconnection agreement. In it they said: " NV Energy is pleased that you have invested in a renewable energy system. Your investment provides substantial benefits to the electric utility’s power-generating system, the economy, and the environment."
I think the tone would be far different if I were not in the smallest of minorities here in Las Vegas…
…now to get a Tesla and really wean off of the fossil fuels!
