I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to argue with my installer about the layout of my solar panel setup. I received some free batteries from California's SGIP program and bought 30 bifacial solar panels (550W each) along with two Fronius Gen24 inverters. My setup is already oversized by over 60% of my usage. I wanted to mount 7 of the panels facing west to maximize energy production during the late afternoon, especially for cooling my home and recharging the batteries at the end of the day. However, the installer is suggesting a simpler configuration—just a 7x4 array with 28 panels, all facing south. I'm not sure if facing some panels west is significant enough to justify the extra effort. My goal is simply to reduce my PGE bill as much as possible. Also, I have 365 days of my energy usage averaged per hour, if that helps!
3 Answers
Honestly, panels aren't that expensive these days, so why not go for a mix? Having some facing west could give you extra production during peak afternoon heat. Plus, it can help spread your energy use more evenly throughout the day instead of one big spike!
You might want to focus on how your battery capacity matches up with your power production. If your batteries can handle the midday load, going with the simpler install could be a no-brainer. Just remember, the goal is to make sure you aren't wasting energy—running your A/C earlier in the day can help with that! Plus, determining if your batteries will fill up mid-day is key. If they won't, simpler might be better!
Exactly! Running your A/C earlier is a smart way to utilize that energy, and it sounds like with your setup, you'll have plenty for that. Just stay flexible with the installation!
Typically, a complete south-facing setup will yield more overall energy than a mix of orientations. It really depends on your energy demand curve and how many hours your batteries can be fully charged. If your usage is mostly in the late afternoon, those west-facing panels could be worth considering!
I do have a few extras, so mixing it might not be out of the question. Just thought I’d check with the installer for an easier installation.