February solar update

Here’s the latest solar update. As noted previously, I’m going to include all the previous updates in every new post so that all you solar nerds out there can make comparisons.

Note: these are daily averages for the month

Power imported from the grid =  3.8 kWh

Import cost @ 25.82 cents per kWh = $0.98

Generated power =  17.5 kWh

Exported power =  15.5 kWh

Credit for exported power @ 8 cents per kWh = $1.24

Generated power actually used in the home =  2 kWh

Notes:

Power imported from the grid = extra power I need to take from the grid when the panels aren’t operating or when they’re not providing enough.

Import cost @ 25.82 cents per kWh = what I pay for imported power.

Generated power = what the panels produce each day.

Exported power = power produced by the panels which is not used in the house.

Credit for exported power @ 8 cents per kWh = what I’m paid for the excess power I generate.

A few other things to note:

Price increase—cost per kilowatt hour went up from 25.14 cents to 25.82 cents. Supply charge went up from 92 cents per day to $1.04 per day. I foamed at the mouth! Bl**dy electricity companies! The daily supply  supply charge is now greater than what I pay for power, but at least the credit for what I export to the grid is covering it.

Also, I’m still waiting for an amended bill to show the correct usage and exported solar power. I’m not paying anything until their figures agree with mine.

The new instant gas hot water service was installed 3 days before the end of the month, but already it has cut power from the grid to less than 2 kWh per day. Add to that 2-3 kWh from the panels and I’m using about 5 kWh of power per day now. This is about half what it was before the solar install. Total cost of power, including supply and credits, is now less than $1 per day. As far as energy goes, I’m learning to live on the smell of an oily rag!

Here’s the previous updates:

January 2014
Note: these are daily averages for the month

Power imported from the grid = 4.4 kWh

Import cost @ 25.14 cents per kWh = $1.10

Generated power = 20.1 kWh

Exported power = 18.1 kWh

Credit for exported power @ 8 cents per kWh = $1.45

Generated power actually used in the home = 2.3 kWh

December 2013
Note: these are daily averages for the month

Power imported from the grid = 5.1 kWh

Import cost @ 25.14 cents per kWh = $1.27

Generated power = 18.6 kWh

Exported power = 16.2 kWh

Credit for exported power @ 8 cents per kWh = $1.30

Generated power actually used in the home = 2.4 kWh

November 2013
Note: these are daily averages for the month

Power imported from the grid = 5.4 kWh

Import cost @ 25.14 cents per kWh = $1.37

Generated power = 18.1 kWh

Exported power = 15.1 kWh

Credit for exported power @ 8 cents per kWh = $1.15

Generated power actually used in the home = 3 kWh