http://renvu.com
Is offering $30 off of panel plus micro inverter pairs.
Their lowest cost pair is a 260w panel plus an Enphase IQ7 for a price of $261.76. Less $30 would be $231.76. $.891/watt. Likely plus shipping. And maybe some cabling.
My recent installs have cost about $100 per 245w panel plus micro inverter.
$.408/watt. That includes shipping and cabling. Prospects are for string inverter hardware cost to be about $2150 for 6000 watts. $.358/watt. I THINK the 6kw inverter will handle 3675 watts (15 245w panels) in east facing panels plus 3675 watts in west facing without energy loss. That would put the cost at $.292/watt.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
SpaceX Launch Facility at Boca Chica
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4WsTUBB6Dwm2gygh8
Not that I know anything about rocket launching, but this doesn't look promising as a Cape Canaveral competitor. There seems to be a lot of private property in the area that would be needed as a safety buffer. The developed site is in the middle of an apparently failed retirement/vacation community. OTOH, maybe SpaceX is already making good progress on acqusitions.
Teslarati pretty closely follows SpaceX:
https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/
There are two Sprung structures pictured and a largish more permanent structure. It took me a while to figure out what "RGV" means. That's in the sign on the permanent structure.
I think I've read that the rocket structure under construction is supposed to be a real useable rocket though it looks more like a mock up to me. I believe I've read that they start with the top, jack it up, and add lower sections one by one. I believe this is the "Starship", not the functioning Falcons. Likely, the thing in the photos is to be used and probably destroyed in testing.
The first photo is approaching the facility from the direction of Brownsville.
The second shows a security pickup that was just sitting there until he started chasing me.
The third is the permanent structure; by zooming, you can read the sign.
Four through seven are of the Sprung structures and the under construction rocket shell.
Eight is apparently tracking radar units.
Nine is a ground mount PV installation.
Ten is looking back toward Brownsville from a residential road just past the facility.
Eleven is one of several of the residential streets. Many houses delapidated and vacant. Some, occupied.
Twelve, looking back at the facility from the edge of the group of houses in eleven.
Thirteen, tax foreclosure sign on property near the facility.
Forteen and fifteen, occupied house on the Brownsville side of the facility. The security pickup is near the house. He had stopped me from approaching the house even though there was no restricted access signage.
Sixteen through eighteen: I had a very nice supper at Mambo's in McAllen . Mambo started in Houston and now has several sites.
https://www.mamboseafood.com/
2/12/2020
A really great article about the real estate situation in Boca Chica:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/
Not that I know anything about rocket launching, but this doesn't look promising as a Cape Canaveral competitor. There seems to be a lot of private property in the area that would be needed as a safety buffer. The developed site is in the middle of an apparently failed retirement/vacation community. OTOH, maybe SpaceX is already making good progress on acqusitions.
Teslarati pretty closely follows SpaceX:
https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/
There are two Sprung structures pictured and a largish more permanent structure. It took me a while to figure out what "RGV" means. That's in the sign on the permanent structure.
I think I've read that the rocket structure under construction is supposed to be a real useable rocket though it looks more like a mock up to me. I believe I've read that they start with the top, jack it up, and add lower sections one by one. I believe this is the "Starship", not the functioning Falcons. Likely, the thing in the photos is to be used and probably destroyed in testing.
The first photo is approaching the facility from the direction of Brownsville.
The second shows a security pickup that was just sitting there until he started chasing me.
The third is the permanent structure; by zooming, you can read the sign.
Four through seven are of the Sprung structures and the under construction rocket shell.
Eight is apparently tracking radar units.
Nine is a ground mount PV installation.
Ten is looking back toward Brownsville from a residential road just past the facility.
Eleven is one of several of the residential streets. Many houses delapidated and vacant. Some, occupied.
Twelve, looking back at the facility from the edge of the group of houses in eleven.
Thirteen, tax foreclosure sign on property near the facility.
Forteen and fifteen, occupied house on the Brownsville side of the facility. The security pickup is near the house. He had stopped me from approaching the house even though there was no restricted access signage.
Sixteen through eighteen: I had a very nice supper at Mambo's in McAllen . Mambo started in Houston and now has several sites.
https://www.mamboseafood.com/
2/12/2020
A really great article about the real estate situation in Boca Chica:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/
Monday, January 20, 2020
2020 Electric Bills
Bill dated 1/20/2020 is -$174.05
Prior bills, in 2019, were -$157.20, -$204.19, -$185.81, -$200.90. Earlier, generally less magnitude than -$100. One year ago, the bill was +$67.50 which is the "connection fee" on the three meters. Prior to about April 2019, all meters were on the old rate schedule which resulted in annual crediting of over production; about April, I converted one meter to the new rate schedule which resulted in monthly credits. The monthly crediting started covering my "connection fees". More than covering.
January was a pretty bad month with short days and much cloudiness. So, I still look forward to ~-$200/month. Or more.
I had quite a bit of damage due to a wind storm in mid January. But, I lost no more than 10% of my production. I'm gradually putting things back in order in addition to working on more installs and conversion to steeply sloping E/W panels. I just need more time. And, more stamina/energy.
3/17/2020
Bill dated 2/18/2020 is -$154.06
The annual "banked" credits from the legacy rate structures were additionally credited totaling just under $1k. Into the future, only one of my meters remains on the legacy rate. Total credit is balance is -$1916.98. I can either spend that credit on Bluebonnet upgrades or take a cash payment; a cash payment would be a taxable event.
3/19/2020
Bill dated 3/18/2020 is -$269.93
A new one month sales record! A not particularly good month. Mid length days and quite a bit of cloudiness.
Woohoo! I'm on my way! I can see ~$500 near year end. Or more.
4/20/2020
Bill dated 3/19/2020 is -$192.50
Primary reason for decline is cloudy rainy weather. Secondary reason is two days of lost production across the road due to transformer upgrade disruption. Cost of the transformer upgrade was covered by accumulated credit, about $2k.
Plotting for increased production continues.
5/18/2020
Prior bills, in 2019, were -$157.20, -$204.19, -$185.81, -$200.90. Earlier, generally less magnitude than -$100. One year ago, the bill was +$67.50 which is the "connection fee" on the three meters. Prior to about April 2019, all meters were on the old rate schedule which resulted in annual crediting of over production; about April, I converted one meter to the new rate schedule which resulted in monthly credits. The monthly crediting started covering my "connection fees". More than covering.
January was a pretty bad month with short days and much cloudiness. So, I still look forward to ~-$200/month. Or more.
I had quite a bit of damage due to a wind storm in mid January. But, I lost no more than 10% of my production. I'm gradually putting things back in order in addition to working on more installs and conversion to steeply sloping E/W panels. I just need more time. And, more stamina/energy.
3/17/2020
Bill dated 2/18/2020 is -$154.06
The annual "banked" credits from the legacy rate structures were additionally credited totaling just under $1k. Into the future, only one of my meters remains on the legacy rate. Total credit is balance is -$1916.98. I can either spend that credit on Bluebonnet upgrades or take a cash payment; a cash payment would be a taxable event.
3/19/2020
Bill dated 3/18/2020 is -$269.93
A new one month sales record! A not particularly good month. Mid length days and quite a bit of cloudiness.
Woohoo! I'm on my way! I can see ~$500 near year end. Or more.
4/20/2020
Bill dated 3/19/2020 is -$192.50
Primary reason for decline is cloudy rainy weather. Secondary reason is two days of lost production across the road due to transformer upgrade disruption. Cost of the transformer upgrade was covered by accumulated credit, about $2k.
Plotting for increased production continues.
5/18/2020
Bill dated 5/17/2020 is -$489.51 and includes a "capital credit" of $85.31. My production credit, then, is just over $400 as expected. Generally we had pretty good production weather slightly countered by the billing period being only 28 days.
I continue to work on adding production but progress has been slowed due to trouble getting new string inverters working. Though I continue to expect/hope for significant improvement in the near term. Both the 37.5 and 50kva transformers are peaking at 20-25kw so there is significant head room for growth in both. Prior to upgrades, peak powers were limited to 16-17kw.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Cedar Choppers
I recently saw a promotion of this book on the TV:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/cedar-choppers-once-ruled-texas-hill-country/
I've been intending to get a copy.
From the time we moved to Austin about 1952 until Austin became terminally gentrified about 1980, cedar choppers were a feature in Austin society. In junior high through college, it was widely held common knowledge that you don't mess with cedar choppers. Especially the ones you might encounter in beer joints. They were especially physically fit. And not necessarily even tempered.
There used to be a string of semi-rough beer joints along North Lamar; Threadgill's being one. In college, I remember one project one night was to see how many of those bars could be visited, drinking one beer at each. I don't remember how that came out. As I recall, there were similar beer joints on Congress, just north of the river. Out the Jollyville Road (183) there was a notable bar, "The Cap Rock", at the top of a hill. I can still identify the location. A church or somesuch. A memorable high school geography teacher first enlighted me on the significance of the west Texas Cap Rock. The Cap Rock beer joint was perched on the top of a ridge somewhat similar to the real Cap Rock.
All the area NW of Austin was "cedar chopper country". Jollyville, Spicewood, etc. They lived in modest to marginal self built homes up and down the roads. You would see well worn single axle stake bed trucks parked at the houses. Loaded with the very durable local cedar posts destined for fence construction through out the state.
Cedar choppers were not well integrated. If I went to school with any of the kids, I am unaware. I'm not aware of any running for elected office. Before this book was published, I was unaware of their social history. Something like gypsies but more clustered and geographically stable.
As well as having the reputation of being extreme tough and strong, and sometimes irrascible, cedar choppers had the reputation of being honest and honorable.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/cedar-choppers-once-ruled-texas-hill-country/
I've been intending to get a copy.
From the time we moved to Austin about 1952 until Austin became terminally gentrified about 1980, cedar choppers were a feature in Austin society. In junior high through college, it was widely held common knowledge that you don't mess with cedar choppers. Especially the ones you might encounter in beer joints. They were especially physically fit. And not necessarily even tempered.
There used to be a string of semi-rough beer joints along North Lamar; Threadgill's being one. In college, I remember one project one night was to see how many of those bars could be visited, drinking one beer at each. I don't remember how that came out. As I recall, there were similar beer joints on Congress, just north of the river. Out the Jollyville Road (183) there was a notable bar, "The Cap Rock", at the top of a hill. I can still identify the location. A church or somesuch. A memorable high school geography teacher first enlighted me on the significance of the west Texas Cap Rock. The Cap Rock beer joint was perched on the top of a ridge somewhat similar to the real Cap Rock.
All the area NW of Austin was "cedar chopper country". Jollyville, Spicewood, etc. They lived in modest to marginal self built homes up and down the roads. You would see well worn single axle stake bed trucks parked at the houses. Loaded with the very durable local cedar posts destined for fence construction through out the state.
Cedar choppers were not well integrated. If I went to school with any of the kids, I am unaware. I'm not aware of any running for elected office. Before this book was published, I was unaware of their social history. Something like gypsies but more clustered and geographically stable.
As well as having the reputation of being extreme tough and strong, and sometimes irrascible, cedar choppers had the reputation of being honest and honorable.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Web Journey
I was again looking at information about Leander McNelly:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leander_H._McNelly
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7677129/leander-harvey-mcnelly
I have long thought that Cpt McNelly does not have the recognition that he deserves. I've visited his grave a couple of times. One of the FindAGrave "flower" comments gives the story of how the rather impressive monument was constructed shortly after McNelly's burial.
Note that, in addition to his Louisana Civil War exploits, McNelly was part of the ill fated invasion of New Mexico and the arduous retreat.
I noticed Cpt McNelly's widow lived long after he died. By following FindAGrave links, I found her in Austin's Oakwood Cemetery. Being next to downtown, anyone in Oakwood is "old Austin". I found she married second Thomas Wroe. Recognizing the Wroe name, I found her stepson is Hiram Wroe who is father to Ed Wroe Sr, and grandfather to Ed Wroe Jr. All three in Oakwood. The two Ed Wroes were operators of American National Bank in Austin and much in the news.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/ed-wroe-8211425
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=164839
So, Ed Wroe Jr is step great grandson of Cpt McNelly! Or, maybe it should be
"step step great grandson".
That's what idleness, internet access, and inquistiveness will do to you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leander_H._McNelly
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7677129/leander-harvey-mcnelly
I have long thought that Cpt McNelly does not have the recognition that he deserves. I've visited his grave a couple of times. One of the FindAGrave "flower" comments gives the story of how the rather impressive monument was constructed shortly after McNelly's burial.
Note that, in addition to his Louisana Civil War exploits, McNelly was part of the ill fated invasion of New Mexico and the arduous retreat.
I noticed Cpt McNelly's widow lived long after he died. By following FindAGrave links, I found her in Austin's Oakwood Cemetery. Being next to downtown, anyone in Oakwood is "old Austin". I found she married second Thomas Wroe. Recognizing the Wroe name, I found her stepson is Hiram Wroe who is father to Ed Wroe Sr, and grandfather to Ed Wroe Jr. All three in Oakwood. The two Ed Wroes were operators of American National Bank in Austin and much in the news.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/ed-wroe-8211425
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=164839
So, Ed Wroe Jr is step great grandson of Cpt McNelly! Or, maybe it should be
"step step great grandson".
That's what idleness, internet access, and inquistiveness will do to you.
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