Welcome to Winter (Solstice)

Just a stab in the “dark”: dibs on the two 23.5 degrees off the equator.

 

Felt somewhat of the trendsetter with panels still being quite expensive in the 2000s . Our system was commissioned january 2008. Rated at 8kW AC.



(always thought DC ratings were a marketing gimmick as that's not what your system ultimately needs to output). Charging 2 Cars + home electricity - it paid for itself in just over 6 years (as feds picked up ⅓ of the cost). Our electric bill was usually a couple hundred dollars a month average (So Cal) prior to 2008 - having some of the highest rates in the nation. The utility rates just kept going up & up, & PV kept zeroing out.
Now, we're living up north and are considering bifacial panels - which run 5%-30% more efficient:



Ideally aligned from North to south, they convert sunlight on both sides, & in snowy conditions especially - light capturing can include reflection off snow. Our roof in the NW is horrible for locating PV on any south facing directions - but we have a good amount of land - which will make this weird verticle install more practical. Plus, way way easier to keep Montana snow off - compared to flat / relatively flat roof mounts.