1 year PV production #'s for a Louisville system

[John Shaw at Bella Energy]

2.96kw PV Array in Louisville, CO - 1 series string of 16 Day4 185w panels into a SMA 4kw inverter.

21deg. pitch

186deg. SSW

4300kwh from Jan. 27, 2008 to Jan. 26, 2009

PVWATTS (NREL online PV calculator) says I could expect 4151kwh (95.4% of optimal, optimal being 40deg. pitch and 168 Deg. SSE).

Solmetric shade analysis tool said I'd lose 6% from early/late shade.

Expectation was 3900kwh.

Actual production was 10+% over conservative expectation.

Now I want to add a KVAR and see if I can bring down loads 8% like they claim - http://www.kvarenergysavings.com/residential.htm ?!?

John

[Charlie at Homeworx]

Thanks for sharing that, John. I love seeing actual results rather than hearing projections for savings. I'll probably be calling Bella for more information about a PV system for my house this year.

Do you know anyone who has tried the KVAR and seen measurable results? I'm usually wary of technologies and claims that I don't understand, but I'm always hoping for new breakthroughs as well. I'd like to hear more if you try out and test one of these devices. Sounds like they probably cost $600 installed? Do they save 8% "across the board", or only certain types of loads. If they can save 8% in an all electric heated home, that would be a nice payback.

[John Shaw at Bella Energy]

Howdy Charlie, Thanks, my pleasure! Please do give us/me a shot. We have sold and installed some units and I will see what "real" data on them that I can get. I can say that the concept made a lot of sense to our Master and i plan to put one in on mine but till then, thanks in advance for you patience while I wait to see if any of our installs can get us some hard numbers to post here...

JS

[John Shaw at Bella Energy]

Here is what my colleague said:
"John S.,
KVAR only works on motor loads like pumps, refrigerators, ceiling fans, furnace fan, AC units, etc. The KVAR rep claims that they can save up to 25% energy on these loads. Overall, I would say that your total consumption would be 8% less (just a guess), but it wouldn't help electric heaters at all. The other benefit is that they make motors run more efficiently (ie longer lifespan with less heat generation).
Price to customer is $360. These units are really cost effective to install when you already have an electrician working on your electrical panel (like installing a PV inverter)."
John D.