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I purchased a penthouse condo in Playa about a year ago. For those who are unaware, Playa is in CFE Tariff 1b, which means that sustained usage over 400 kWh/month (800kWh/period) places you into DAC rates and carries a steep cost - a neighbor, who rents their condo VRBO, recently received a $9000-peso ($500USD) CFE bill. Once you enter the "DAC Penalty Box," it's extremely difficult to exit, so expect to pay around $5-pesos/kWh ($0.30 USD).
So we recently had a 14-panel solar system installed on our roof deck. This is a "Grid-Tie" system, meaning there are no batteries because it passes surplus energy to CFE - in effect, they are our battery. We had to have a pergola constructed to fit that many panels on, but are really pleased with our decision. We installed the panels flat - we could have tilted them towards the sun and get another 5%-7% efficiency, but would have had to reduce the number of panels to prevent shadows from panels overlapping each other.
It took about 3-4 weeks to have CFE install a bidirectional meter. Was really frustrating to wait and watch the sun shine with no way to offset our DAC rates.....but eventually, the system started generating 23 kw's per sunny day.
Payback for our relatively large system is around 7-years. If we had opted for a smaller system that just barely got us out of DAC rates, payback would be around 3-1/2 years, but it's hard to be exact with the design. CFE rates have increased around 30% since 2010, so this is a hedge against future increases. Also, I'd imagine the much of the cost of the system will be recovered if/when we sell the condo.
Cost: I sought four quotes. In the end, I chose the installer I did because he was (a) experienced; (b) local and could remove the panels if a hurricane threatens; (c) he would do all the CFE paperwork (some installers didn't want to be bothered); and (d) cost was roughly comparable. For budgetary purposes, I would suggest anyone use a number of $1500 USD for installation, plus about $450 USD for each panel (including IVA). Typical residential panels are 39" x 65".
There are two options for inverters: a single large inverter for the entire system; or a micro-inverter on each panel. A single inverter is a bit more efficient and a bit less expensive, but micro-inverters work better if the system gets uneven sun due to shade, which applied to my situation.
Tips for anyone considering Solar:
1. If you're a geek, download and learn the NREL SAM model (National Renewable Energy Laboratory - part of the US govt). You insert the exact equipment configuration your installer proposes and it develops a full model based on historical weather patterns (my 14-panel system will produce an estimated 5600 kwhs/year).
2. Hold-back $500 until CFE installs the bi-directional meter
3. Check their mounting hardware - should be stainless steel and extruded aluminum. This is expensive gear, and an easy place to cheap-out.
4. Best panels are made by Solar World out of San Jose, CA (or, more correctly, were made by them - they are out of business). Almost everything is cheap Chinese knock-offs, but are pretty good. Enphase Inverters are the industry standard.
5. Check the warranties - should be 20-years on the panels. 10-years on the inverters.
6. Ask how much to have the panels removed if a hurricane threatens (I forgot this one). This is the #1 reason to find a local installer (I had folks from Cancun and Merida happily seek my business).
7. If you are in CFE's DAC rates, install solar ASAP. Period.
Good luck and don't hesitate to take the plunge!
So we recently had a 14-panel solar system installed on our roof deck. This is a "Grid-Tie" system, meaning there are no batteries because it passes surplus energy to CFE - in effect, they are our battery. We had to have a pergola constructed to fit that many panels on, but are really pleased with our decision. We installed the panels flat - we could have tilted them towards the sun and get another 5%-7% efficiency, but would have had to reduce the number of panels to prevent shadows from panels overlapping each other.
It took about 3-4 weeks to have CFE install a bidirectional meter. Was really frustrating to wait and watch the sun shine with no way to offset our DAC rates.....but eventually, the system started generating 23 kw's per sunny day.
Payback for our relatively large system is around 7-years. If we had opted for a smaller system that just barely got us out of DAC rates, payback would be around 3-1/2 years, but it's hard to be exact with the design. CFE rates have increased around 30% since 2010, so this is a hedge against future increases. Also, I'd imagine the much of the cost of the system will be recovered if/when we sell the condo.
Cost: I sought four quotes. In the end, I chose the installer I did because he was (a) experienced; (b) local and could remove the panels if a hurricane threatens; (c) he would do all the CFE paperwork (some installers didn't want to be bothered); and (d) cost was roughly comparable. For budgetary purposes, I would suggest anyone use a number of $1500 USD for installation, plus about $450 USD for each panel (including IVA). Typical residential panels are 39" x 65".
There are two options for inverters: a single large inverter for the entire system; or a micro-inverter on each panel. A single inverter is a bit more efficient and a bit less expensive, but micro-inverters work better if the system gets uneven sun due to shade, which applied to my situation.
Tips for anyone considering Solar:
1. If you're a geek, download and learn the NREL SAM model (National Renewable Energy Laboratory - part of the US govt). You insert the exact equipment configuration your installer proposes and it develops a full model based on historical weather patterns (my 14-panel system will produce an estimated 5600 kwhs/year).
2. Hold-back $500 until CFE installs the bi-directional meter
3. Check their mounting hardware - should be stainless steel and extruded aluminum. This is expensive gear, and an easy place to cheap-out.
4. Best panels are made by Solar World out of San Jose, CA (or, more correctly, were made by them - they are out of business). Almost everything is cheap Chinese knock-offs, but are pretty good. Enphase Inverters are the industry standard.
5. Check the warranties - should be 20-years on the panels. 10-years on the inverters.
6. Ask how much to have the panels removed if a hurricane threatens (I forgot this one). This is the #1 reason to find a local installer (I had folks from Cancun and Merida happily seek my business).
7. If you are in CFE's DAC rates, install solar ASAP. Period.
Good luck and don't hesitate to take the plunge!