Valdemar wrote:When I was sizing my solar system I had to write a little program that could crunch my hourly usage data from SCE for the last 12 months against estimated solar hourly production for a year from the pvwatts estimator. I could plug-in different TOU schedules to get an idea how things would work out.
Interesting - in our area there is a provider that bills us based on 15 minute interval actual pricing (energy, not distribution) - for a monthly subscription price ($10). Did you download this type data and crunch it out off-line, or can you do this more or less real time by capturing data, say on an hourly/daily interval? What is astonishing is that some "peak" pricing is 10X "normal" and that "off peak" pricing can actually be a payment rather than a cost!
Also amazing is that so many in my area use copious amounts of energy (pools, kids with doors open/lights on, etc, etc). If they installed a well designed solar system with properly sized energy storage that is bi-directional (Pika Energy) with "smart" usage controls, they could pay back much of the system costs. Having an EV to charge early morning would enhance their savings - especially if they purchase a used Leaf (for next to nothing

). IMO, change is coming!
2012 Leaf SL; 36,000 miles. Battery replaced November 1st, 2016.
Rural cabin with 6750 watts Grid tied PV. Off-grid solar Leaf charging capable (level II).