Happy with your system?

[Paul Martin]

Just wondering if everyone's systems are producing as expected? Do you use the PVWATTS site for your numbers?

[Dave Schwartz]

Speaking as an Ontario microFIT producer, yes I am happy with my system. I have 4.1kWDC on the roof and have been grid-tied since Aug 3/10. I did play with PVwatts a bit but used the Natural Resources Canada solar resources database to set my expectations. Despite having had a terrible winter and early spring for sunny days, it looks like the expected annual production will be met (yes, I know about statistical variation but I only have 1 year to go on). As of today noon, the inverter says the system has generated 4480 kWh and with 4 weeks to go I have no doubt it will meet the 4727kWh the NRCAN site predicted for a system of this size.

Also, the fact that it has eliminated my $200+/month electric bill since last fall plus I have cashed over $1600 in cheques... I am a happy camper (except when shoveling off the array in the winter).

[Julian Egelstaff]

I have the lifetime output of our Toronto, Ontario system documented on our website http://www.yourturn.ca/solar

The math for predicting output is pretty easy, if you have correct insolation numbers for your area. The government of Canada publishes that info for the whole country, not sure where the best sources are for other jurisdictions.

Our output has been a little bit above what published government figures suggest the average for Toronto is. We have a very good location, and we don't yet have a few years of data to average it out. So I'd put a lot of faith in general in the government figures.

We have a page on our site explaining more about this, and examples of the math, related to how much money you make with the Ontario microFIT program. The payments are directly tied to power output, so figuring this out is the essence of figuring out your payments in microFIT: http://www.yourturn.ca/solar/microfit/how-much-money-do-you-make/

Good luck,

--Julian

[Ralph Day]

Our microFIT system (12kw pv, 10kw inverters) expecting 1200kwhr/yr x 12kw of pv = 14400kwhr for the year. Actual Hydro One metered payout...16070kwhrs. About 10% better than expected. Can't argue with that!

Ralph