This post is inspired by a recent question (that got removed by mods lol) and the post linked below that detailed living with a solar installation for a month. So here, I would detail my own experience; Detailing the initial cost, how much money it makes a year, when I'd hit breakeven, and the potential return over it's lifetime. I'll try to be as detailed as possible, but if you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them.
I have a 5.4Kwp hybrid setup coupled with a 10Kwh lifepo4 battery. Initial CAPEX was about 262k. As stated in my warning. I designed the entire system myself and guided the laborers on how to install the entire thing. Took 4 guys a day to get the panels mounted on the roof and about 4 days working with the electrician to reroute my main panel and get everything wired up.
WARNING : My setup is DIY but this is my field and I am well aware of every aspect of this system. If you intend to put one up, PLEASE CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL. The energies you are dealing with here are well beyond the KILL YOU and BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN territory.
I have a 5.4Kwp hybrid setup coupled with a 10Kwh lifepo4 battery. Initial CAPEX was about 262k. As stated in my warning. I designed the entire system myself and guided the laborers on how to install the entire thing. Took 4 guys a day to get the panels mounted on the roof and about 4 days working with the electrician to reroute my main panel and get everything wired up.
- Panels - 100k approx
- Hybrid Inverter - 58k
- 200AH 48V LifePo4 Battery - 72k
- Accessories (Cables, Connectors, Mounting, ATS, etc..) - 15k approx
- Labor - 12k approx
- Transpo - 5k approx
- Based on the monitor app, my system has been up for 378 days (I wasn't living in the house the first few weeks) and produced 8.81MWH of electricity for a total value of approximately 97k. This is based on production and is inaccurate because it does not take into consideration losses and round trip efficiency. So to err on the safe side, let's assume that the value of the electricity generated is just 80k for this time period.
- So based on CAPEX(262k) and annual revenue (80k) I'd hit breakeven in 3.275years
- What's the potential return? Solar panels last for decades but degrade by about 0.5% per year. If nothing breaks over the course of 30 years, I will get a maximum return of 2.2M or 8.45x my initial CAPEX
- Here's what a typical day looks like. I am not able to maximize solar generation as characterized by the generation clipping before 2pm to match the load.
- Data over the past 30 days
- I just wanted to share that there was a power interruption in our area that lasted for 6hrs. I found it amusing that I did not notice the power go out and only noticed it now going over the data. Notice that the AC output is maintained at 230V while the grid voltage drops to 0V. This means that my system does not backfeed into the grid. This is critical as you or your installer can be held liable by Meralco for any injury caused to their linemen if you backfeed.
- My latest bill
- Showing off my home assistant dashboard. Lol. Designed it so that the battery card background turns red when there's a power interruption. This is supposed to go on the wall, but I still need to make the mounting system for it.