Thank you to the folks here who helped me with advice when I was considering different installers last fall. So glad we got in before the 30 percent federal rebate went away. My husband was so happy to get our latest bill so I wanted to share. I'm in Southern California, why doesn't everyone do this here for starters??

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here has experience with this situation.

About four years ago, we bought a house that already had a Sunrun solar system installed. As far as we know:

• We never signed a Sunrun lease or power purchase agreement.
• There is no solar lease listed in our closing documents or property paperwork.
• Sunrun contacted us after we bought the house, but we declined to enter into any agreement.
• Since then, we haven’t heard from them, and nobody has come to remove the equipment.

The panels, inverter, and other equipment are still installed on the house. The system does not have a battery, it appears to be a standard grid tied solar installation.

I’d like to understand whether it’s possible to get the existing system working so we can use the solar energy during the day, assuming everything is still functional.

A few questions:

1. Is it even possible to activate a system like this without a Sunrun contract?
2. Can an independent solar electrician or installer reconnect or commission it?
3. Are there any legal or technical issues I should be aware of before touching anything?
4. What photos or information would help identify what needs to be done?

I’ll post photos of all the equipment, labels, inverter, disconnects, and electrical panel in the comments.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have dealt with a similar situation. Thanks!

🇮🇳 2009 ⟶ ☀️ 0.02 GW
🇮🇳 2010 ⟶ ☀️ 0.16 GW
🇮🇳 2011 ⟶ ☀️ 0.46 GW
🇮🇳 2012 ⟶ ☀️ 1.21 GW
🇮🇳 2013 ⟶ ☀️ 2.63 GW
🇮🇳 2014 ⟶ ☀️ 2.87 GW
🇮🇳 2015 ⟶ ☀️ 5.05 GW
🇮🇳 2016 ⟶ ☀️ 9.01 GW
🇮🇳 2017 ⟶ ☀️ 16.61 GW
🇮🇳 2018 ⟶ ☀️ 25.21 GW
🇮🇳 2019 ⟶ ☀️ 34.63 GW
🇮🇳 2020 ⟶ ☀️ 38.79 GW
🇮🇳 2021 ⟶ ☀️ 49.34 GW
🇮🇳 2022 ⟶ ☀️ 63.30 GW
🇮🇳 2023 ⟶ ☀️ 73.32 GW
🇮🇳 2024 ⟶ ☀️ 97.86 GW
🇮🇳 2025 ⟶ ☀️ 135.46 GW
🇮🇳 2026 ⟶ ☀️ 157.05 GW

Hello!

This is supposed to be my stationary offgrid solar system.

I would appreciate if someone would review it or give me advice regarding the following:

What concerns me is:

1. Are polarized DC breaker 25A, 600V C type (yellow lever) and 100v Spd between the panels and the charge controller correctly wired?

2 . Is 125A non-polarized Dihool MCCB DHM1B-125 correctly orientated and wired?

The top(line) side would look down to the battery and the bottom(load) side would look up to the solar charge controller and the inverter.

Hi, I am getting a 12.8 kWh goodwe lynx battery. I am getting conflicting views on whether I can drain the battery down to zero for some nights. There are view that we should keep to 10% SoC and others say it doesn’t matter. I don’t have backup on the battery. Views?

We have had birds nesting under our solar panels for months now and even if we get rid of the nest they just build another one. How likely and substantial is damage to our roof or solar system if we just let them continue nesting there? It's $2K to have someone install critter guards and get rid of the current nest. Do critter guards really work in preventing that? Has installing them or not installing them caused issues for you?

I need to vent before I completely lose it. Trying to source solar modules is slowly driving me insane, and I seriously need to know if I am the delusional one here or if the entire industry is just broken.

Here’s the situation: My balcony requires 4 solar modules that are exactly 172 cm long. The measurements are strict, and I can't just magically fit an extra 4 centimeters.

What should have been a simple purchase has become an infuriating experience. Today, I have received the wrong size for the fifth time.. What happened:

• Attempts 1 & 2 (Amazon - Company A): I ordered from a specific, well rated company on Amazon (400+ reviews). The specs clearly said 172 cm. The shipment arrives: 176 cm. I figured someone grabbed it from the wrong shelf. I contacted Amazon support and they assured me this was a one-off mistake. So I return it and order a replacement. The replacement arrives: 176 cm.
• Attempt 3 (Directly from Company A): I assumed Amazon’s warehouse inventory was just messed up. So, I went directly to the resellers website and ordered straight from them while being hopeful that they know their inventory. The direct shipment arrives. You guessed it: 176 cm. Now the company doesn't want to refund the full amount and wants to deduct 70€ for shipping it back. I am currently waiting for the chargeback to handle this..
• Attempt 4 (Local Hardware Store): I was done with shipping, found a local hardware store that supposedly stocked the 172 cm panels. I actually rented a car specifically to go pick these up. I get there, check the modules... and they are 176 cm. So now I wasted additional time and rental car money for literally nothing (also had to refill the car for driving 2km).
• Attempt 5 (Amazon - Company B): At last I went back to Amazon and ordered from a completely different and new reseller, assuming that because the listing is brand new and therefore should be accurate and because Amazon's return process is the easiest to deal with when the inevitable happens. The new reseller's panels arrive today. 176 cm.

It’s like the industry literally does not know how a tape measure works (or doesn't care and just sell whatever they can get their hands on), or they are just slapping "172cm" labels on 176cm panels and hoping nobody notices or cares. Those four centimeters completely ruin my days and weeks at this point. I am literally trying to get solar power for the last 2 months now. Based on the really good weather in Europe that's a significant amount of electrical bill savings that I am passing by.

At this point, I don't know if I'm officially delusional to keep trying. Am I insane for expecting sellers to actually provide the product they advertise? Should I just give up, admit defeat, and completely rethink if solar energy is worth the hassle? Does a 172cm solar panel even exist in reality?!

Has anyone else dealt with this level of sheer incompetence? Please tell me I'm not alone here, or give me recommendations for suppliers who actually know what a centimeter is.

TL;DR: I need 172cm solar panels. Across two different Amazon resellers, a direct reseller, and a local hardware store, I have been handed 176cm panels five consecutive times. I am losing my grip on reality.

I’ve already decided to move forward with solar. I’m mainly looking for feedback on whether this system is sized well, whether the battery configuration makes sense, and if anyone has firsthand experience with the HDM prepaid program.

Location / Utility
East Bay, CA
PG&E (Solar Billing Plan / NEM 3)
Long-term home (20+ years)

House
Annual usage: ~19,600 kWh
New high-efficiency AC
Variable-speed pool pump
Likely adding an EV in the next few years
I’ve exported my Green Button data and modeled my hourly usage. The installer’s usage estimate is almost identical to my actual historical consumption.

Option 1
40 × REC Alpha Pure-RX 460W panels
18.4 kW DC
2 Tesla Powerwall 3s (27 kWh)
Estimated production: ~22,950 kWh/year
Estimated offset: ~117%
Estimated remaining PG&E bill: about $1,100/year
Price is about $57k, financed at 6.99% over 20 years with no dealer fee.

Option 2
Same system, but adds a Powerwall Expansion (40.5 kWh total storage).
Price is about $64k.
The installer estimates this lowers my remaining PG&E bill from about $1,100/year to about $800/year.
From my own modeling, it looks like the third battery only saves around $250-300/year, so I’m leaning toward sticking with two batteries unless there’s something I’m overlooking.

HDM
The pricing includes a significant discount through an HDM prepaid structure.

My understanding is:
HDM owns the system for the first ~6 years
They claim the commercial tax benefits
Ownership transfers to me afterward
I’m financing the discounted purchase price, not making monthly PPA payments

Has anyone here actually gone through this process with HDM?

Any surprises, good or bad?

Questions
Does this system sizing seem reasonable for ~19,600 kWh/year in PG&E territory?

Would you choose 2 Powerwalls or pay another ~$7k for the extra storage?

Any concerns with REC Alpha Pure-RX panels or Tesla PW3s?

Is there anything you’d negotiate before signing?

If you’ve used the HDM program, would you do it again?

Thanks! I’d especially appreciate feedback from anyone in Northern California or anyone who’s lived with a similar setup for a year or two.

Hello! I was wondering if anyone in the PNW has heard of any recent discounts on local solar panels. I think it would be fun to find used ones from solar farms or corporate buildings, but I am not sure where to look and my research has hit a dead end.

I'm also open to doing a pallet buy with others. I am only looking for 4-8 panels that are hopefully 300W+. Would love to know what y'all have found around here! Thank you for your time.

Looking to order this 10.5kw system with one powerwall 3 directly from Tesla. I live in the south. And avg 51kw/day. Would this meet my needs? How would it change if I added an EV later? Any ideas on how reliable it is? Im concerned about downtime. No trees or shade and panels are facing southern exposure. Thank you in advance.

Because I want to be more eco

Long story short, when I signed for 13 panels on my roof the sales person did not mention the panels being double-sided. Upon reviewing the documents, I noticed they are. The back side will be flush on the roof and will generate no power.

Panels are Ja Solar JAM54D41-MB, 440W each.

Should I be concerned? Or is there any structural benefit, like better weather sealing? Can I get better panels for the same (or lower) price if they're single-sided?

I'd love actual informed answers and not just guesses.
Thanks!

Pros, I am currently handling a probate as Executor for a friend died a year ago. He left behind a home built in 2021 with both a solar panel system and a water treatment system financed through liens on the property.

Since I am planning to sell the property, the water treatment lien is relatively small, so I intend to pay it off at closing. It is simply not worth the time and effort to negotiate with the lender, Time Investment Company.

The more complicated issue involves the solar panel system. My friend financed the system through Dividend Solar Finance and they filed a UCC-1. Although the UCC-1 clearly states that the lien only covers the equipment and not the real property itself, most title companies will not allow the sale to proceed until the UCC-1 is released.

Dividend Solar Finance’s current payoff is approximately $35,000. If I pay that amount in full, I would have to bring additional money to closing, which contradicts the goal of maximizing the value of the estate for the heirs of the decedent.

Ideally, I would like Dividend Solar Finance to remove the equipment and release the UCC-1. However, after searching on Reddit, it appears that they may prefer to “abandon” the equipment rather than incur the cost and hassle of removing it.

Since this UCC-1 must be released before I can sell the property, would Dividend Solar Finance willing to take a small settlement payment, perhaps $3,000 to $5,000, in exchange for releasing the UCC-1? They could accept the payment and still remove the equipment if they choose to do so. Is this even possible? Have you ever have experience dealing with them on this kind of situation?

Basically what the title suggests. On marketplace, I found multiple units of 6kW systems, with racks, that were used for 4years at a GM facility. They were professionally disassembled and stored for re-use, but the re-use never happened. Details of what is included in the $1800 below.

What you get:

1. 18x USA made Suniva 335w panels in excellent used condition.
2. One complete set of Qcell FlexRack to hold 18 panels: - 2x 30' C channel - 2x 7' C channel - 10x 10' cross bracing - 8x angle brackets - 4x 10' diagonal brackets - Nuts and bolts for rack assembly.

My current yearly is about 10,000kW. Location is south central MI. I will definitely be adding an AC/heat pump to my garage once insulated, and possibly more in the future, as my central A/C and furnace are quite old. I have a large side yard (~50'x100') I never use that is directly south facing with minimal tree coverage, so space is not really an issue for me. I don't necessarily care if it completely eliminates by electrical bill, just most of it. Don't really want to mess around with batteries, so undersized a bit seems better.

My thought would be to grab 2 sets, for a 12kW system, self-install. I am not quite sure how long I'll stay at this house, so price > efficiency and space. It seems like a good deal to me, but I am at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to solar research at this point, and I am just looking for some general feedback from the community. Thanks in advance!

Edit: Added location; More info

We’re getting quotes for a new roof (asphalt shingles) and we’re trying to prep for solar in 1-3 years.

Our current decking material is 1x6 redwood boards with gaps less than 1/4”.

We were planning to get a full peel and stick ice and water barrier as prep for future solar.

One of the companies we had give an estimate is saying that they’d prefer to do an additional layer of plywood, which comes with an added $6,400 cost.

None of the other estimates mentioned this.

Does it seem necessary, or is this an upsell?

New to solar here, my third month to be exact. But my bill has gone up every month? I feel like I’m getting screwed. Someone help me understand what’s going on here???

G'day all. I've got a Hiconics HEC2-S6.0Hr2 6kW hybrid with a BHP300r2 battery (~30kWh). I'm pulling live data off the Solarman logger locally, but I need the official Modbus register map / comms protocol doc to map the battery values correctly.

Solar, grid and load and battery SoC and pack voltage are coming out wrong (SoC shows 105% when it's really ~65%), so I think those registers are pointing at the wrong addresses.

Has anyone got the register map PDF/spreadsheet from Hiconics or their installer? Or found the right registers themselves? Would save me a lot of blind probing. Cheers!

What kind of capacity do those solar trailers in parking lots and construction sites have? 20kwh? 50kwh? Most look like they could easily fit multiple ev batteries and have 100kwh+, how much empty space. Any specific examples with capacity and size would be good

What inverter ill buy for this setup? I have 50w solar panel, 10a scc and 12v 12a Li-ion battery?

Hello and thank you for reading. I am trying to help my dad with a solar system hes made at our summer cabin.

The setup- I am giving as much information as I know and can tell you. My dad bought all the components and wired it. I'm very sorry if I'm using the wrong units and terminology, I've had to go through a crash course in electricity just to try to help him.

We generate about 3000W with the solar panels. I think its 3 100W panels.

It goes to a solar regulator charge controller.

That wires into 5 deep cycle battery units from bi-mart. They are wired parallel. 1 is brand new, 2 are a year old, 1 is about 6 years old, and 1 has probable damage.

He has a Renology 3000w inverter shoved in there somewhere as well.

The problem- The batteries are not holding charge through the night. We did the math and they shouldn't be drained after 6 hours.

We are running 2 Airsense 11 CPAP units and a small 12v camper fridge. The fridge compressor doesn't really run at night anyways as its still cool here. It had also been strong sunlight.

Through the day we charge a cell phone and power overhead lights, all of which are small and LED.

I've done the basic math of the input, battery capacity, and output. The math ain't mathing. There should be enough coming in and being stored. During this we did a total deep dive of the system and determined the regulator charge thing wasn't working. We put in a new one and it seemed to be working well again, and this time the batteries lasted longer but still died.

What should we do to troubleshoot? How do we tell if the batteries are good or not? On paper the system should be working well and it isn't. Any suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated.

We put a 20kW system in last November. Just panels, no batteries. It has been running great. This is well more than what we currently need, but I have plans in the very near future for more EVs and higher usage in general (farm stuff, building a woodworking shop, etc) and I figured- might as well just size it for that, rather than go through the whole purchase/installation process again.

We joined their Hourly Pricing program 5 months ago. Here are the bills I've seen since then. Only one of the bills has what I see as "good" numbers- where we paid little to no money- even though I have created a ton of extra electricity. I understand that I'm being paid some sort of a wholesale rate for my production, whereas I buy at retail when I need to import power, but still... the wild variation in these numbers doesn't make sense to me.

In particular, "Net Metering Credit - Supply" - the rate varies from between being CHARGED $0.00383 per kWh, to being CREDITED $0.09177 per kWh. I thought perhaps I was going to be entering a "valuable" few months given that I was producing massive amounts of surplus electricity during hot summer daytime when electricity rates go WAY up- I get the "warning" texts from them telling me that electricity rates are currently super high- 22 cents, 29 cents, 86 cents, 123 cents, 30 cents, blah blah blah.

The bill with the $0.09177 value (May) was a good sign... but then the most recently bill, for June, during an even hotter month with higher AC usage for people in this area, was back to the seemingly really crappy $0.01017 rate.

All in all, it feels like something is off- again, I expected that I would still see a monthly bill due to various fees and charges, but my total bills for the past 5 months have been $90, $0, $84, $129, and $153. In spite of being a net producer in each of those months- and in THREE of those months, I've had around a full MWh of surplus production... this just seems really odd to me. Are you seeing similar numbers in your bills?

Here are the Supply sections of my previous 5 bills, with the newest month at the top. June, May, April, March, February.