SILFAB 430 and ENPHASE IQ8MC-72-M

oldmako

Greetings, FNG here considering adding a 9.8KW system to my 1989 home using the above components.

They tell me that I'd generate 12.885 kwh annually with 23 panels.  I live in Virginia Beach with a house facing east.  No shade.   I already have solar pool heaters (capillary bladders) on the back.

They tell me that my elec usage would actually be a bit lower in summer due to the panels taking a lot of the direct heat from the sun and shading my roof.  My AC unit (heat pump) is in the attic.

I read today that SILFAB panels are OK, but many people have reported failures.  At least on the Reddit page I was reading.   Panels which are recommended include Mission, REC and Q-CELL.


Total price $38.400.    $11.500 tax incentives.   Net cost $26.900


Me?  I know bupkis.   But I figure if I am going to go this route, I may as well listen to some smart guys and make an informed decision and not just listen to the sales Rep.   I don't think I can put any more panels on their preferred side due to the size.  I'd like to keep my house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.  If I know I have solar up there, I'm going to jack the thermo +2/-2 from typical year round.    

This was from a company called ION solar.   Today I will be speaking with a rep from Dominion Electric, my local utility.

Thoughts?  Ridicule?   Open to all.   Many thanks.

Wheelman55

You can play around with this calculator from NREL for production. Just plug in the parameters of your system, direction of panels, etc. 

https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php