![]() ![]() A proper analysis will factor in all of these issues to provide the best possible estimate of savings. The point is to beware of overly simplistic savings projections. A utility customer on a time-of-use rate structure may well save less than one on a tiered rate structure (depending on how those rates are designed). Systems aligned away from South will produce less energy. For example, we have seen “savings” projections based just on the size of the system, without regard for how shaded the system was, or its orientation - to say nothing of the actual rate structure that is being used by the utility. One reason for this disconnect is that a dishonest sales person over-hyped the savings to be had from the system installed. In our experience there are two main reasons for this: hype and over use. This second case is actually far more likely: the system is performing, but it is not meeting your savings expectations. If you believe that your system isn’t working, and you live in the greater Pasadena area, give us a call at 62, or email us to set up a service call! Your system is working, but… ![]() (This could be a readout on the inverter/monitoring system, or a spinning performance meter, or an indication that utility meter is going backwards.) Better yet, ask them up-front how will you be able to know that your system is working, and then when it goes live, make them prove it to you! So how can a solar system owner prevent this? Simple-when your system goes live, make sure that the installer walks you through the operation of the system so that you can see with your own two eyes that the system is actually producing power. When we came out we were able to access the Envoy directly, and while it could see the microinverters, it was clear that they had never produced any power-in over a year! ![]() Except that the installer had never bothered to complete the setup of the monitoring system! But here’s the thing-this was an Enphase system so there should have been monitoring in place to answer the question of how well the system was working. We didn’t see signs of that-the system had been installed and the overall workmanship was acceptable on the surface, so it wasn’t like someone just slapped the panels on the roof and ran away. That was the case with one man who was convinced that his system had never worked and that the company that installed it was simply out to cheat him. But every now and then we come across a system that simply isn’t working at all. Most systems are installed properly and are in operation. Here are the three leading reasons why that bill is so high… Your system just isn’t working!Īlthough this tends to be the number one suspectedreason for why the bill is so high, generally it isn’t the actual cause. Typically this occurs when they get their “true-up” bill at the end of the year, and are shocked to see that the amount that they owe is way more than they expected! In many cases this leads them to believe that the system simply isn’t working, and now they want a third-party (like Run on Sun) to come out and evaluate the performance of their system. Every now and then we get a call from someone who has solar installed at their home but they’re not happy. ![]()
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