Monday, March 30, 2020

The road goes on forever, the party never ends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJRWtKePKuY

That's the way I'm feeling about PV installing!

I'm just beginning to install string inverters since the cheap microinverters have disappeared.  It turns out that string inverters can be even cheaper.  Microinverters, when available, were costing about $50/panel.  String inverters can get down to ~$15.  Quite a bit more care and consideration are required to use string inverters though.

Another transformer upgrade is imminent.  15kva to 50kva.  After that, I'm considering installing a 4th transformer/meter for the sole purpose of producing energy for sale to my utility.

I have my monthly sales up to about $250 with good prospects of going considerably higher than that.

I've defined a useful empirical parameter.  Monthly dollar sales per kw of peak production.  In good conditions, I  produce 16-17kw on one meter and 21-22kw on another.  So, just under 40kw.  That power gives me about $250 in monthly sales.  Just under $7/kw.  I guess that parameter needs a name.  Why is that of interest?  Extrapolating what I might expect of my proposed new meter/transformer which can/should produce  around 50kw.  So, $300-$350.  I will soon be able to increase production on the 16-17kw meter to near 50kw.  Maybe an additional 30kw.  Another $200 in monthly sales.

The wrench in the works might turn out to be decreasing rates paid by the utility.  They are set yearly in August.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Pandemic

The chinese virus has been in the news for a couple of months.  I've talked it up a bit and done some hoarding.  And watched the situation semi-closely.  Belatedly, public awareness suddenly exploded and led the poorly informed to panic hoarding.  Most amusing.  Then, "the government" suddenly, persipitously, decided to "do something".

https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/17/a-fiasco-in-the-making-as-the-coronavirus-pandemic-takes-hold-we-are-making-decisions-without-reliable-data/

Another "beware irrational panic" story:
https://medium.com/six-four-six-nine/evidence-over-hysteria-covid-19-1b767def5894


I eagerly await the end of the episode so I can look back and learn.  I've bet heavily that the pandemic will be of little long term economic consequence.  Perhaps I will be proven wrong.  Meanwhile, I'll be "food secure" if not "financially secure" for a few years:

https://wmckemie.blogspot.com/2020/02/storage-food.html

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Honey

A few months ago, I happened upon the "Honey" coupon search and rebate service.  It seemed like a no lose thing so I signed up.  Through just normal online purchases, primarily eBay, I've accumulated $38.87 worth of Honey credit.  That credit can be turned into gift cards, including Amazon, which I have not yet done.  I've seen no evidence that the Honey credits "expire".  Most of my online purchases are paid via credit card.  The Honey deal does not reduce the credit card rebates.  So, no risk or downside, a small bit of "free money" on purchases that you normally make.  I don't believe the coupon search has done me any good.  Yet.  I recommend.  Use the sign up link and I get a $10 credit and you probably get some credit for yourself.

http://joinhoney.com/ref/78tm273