Installing Tesla Solar Panels on my House

TL;DR that I ended up installing Solar ... but more because it will be a "fun toy" to play with versus a true economic payoff and/or virtue signaling.

Here's my notes on the design, installation, and operation (for one year so far) of Tesla Solar Panels. If you are new to Solar, you probably should read some misc. background info to come up to speed. Here's my design process ... and installation - also see the page about the Tesla 7.6kW Inverter ... plus I would strongly encourage putting a "Critter Guard" around the solar panels so nothing builds a nest under them and/or nibbles on your wires.

So far it's working well and I'm glad I did it. However, from a pure economic point of view, I should have invested in the S&P500 instead. I knew that going in ... and while I could say I did it to go "green" (and certainly paid "green" to do that!), the primary reason for doing was to get a first-hand exposure and have fun playing with the data (LOL I'm not the only one! ;-) ... and that's been a big success as seen in the graphs below! ;-)

Speaking of economics, I'm often asked if it's "worth it." If your reason for installing solar is to "Save the Planet", then the question is already answered!

But it's not so clear cut if you are doing it for economic reasons - Here's my spreadsheet which has all my data/analysis. Note that it can be generically used (try it with your data!) and let me know what you think. People focus on how much electrical rates will go up, etc. ... but I believe the dominent factor will be NEM - Net Energy Metering ... which is how the utility company "settles up" with you for your excess energy produced.

I'm of the opinion that residential solar (added to existing roofs - managed by homeowners) makes less economic sense (for society) than doing utility solar (installed ground level with tracking - managed by people who actually know/pay attention, etc.).

Still need to add some info about my historical electrical usage, Xcel Solar Bank, JSON for Grafana/POWERWALL

Utility information from 2021 onward via spreadsheet

2023_09_01-2024_09_01_Production_Usage.jpg Output

2024_09_Utility_Graphs.jpg

First Year of production/Usage from PowerWall-Dashboard - click on image to see BIG!

2023_09_01-2024_09_01 Output

Maximum production day was 47.9kWh on May 8th, 2024

2024_05_08 Output

Not surprising to see solar production drop during Solar Eclipses - more on the April 8th, 2024 Partial

2024_04_08 Output

2023_10_13-14-Solar_Output_Partial_Eclipse.jpg

Drop in energy usage when the house was unoccupied ... but only from ~15kWh/day to 9kWh/day

"Vampire" load is Radon Fan (7x24@60W), Internet/Webcam (7x24), Fridge (7x24 but cycles), Lights (on timer), Furnace Fan

2024_01_15-04_15 Output