What would happen if you plug this into a Rivian vehicle 120v outlet?

[Count Orlok]

Who let the smoke out?

Canada

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[slillie]

So even the plug-in solar systems/panels feed into the grid? For such a system to be powering my home first, would more equipment be needed?

You would need a battery backup system like a Tesla Powerwall or Anker Solix system (which I have). Without a battery storage system, if the grid goes down, so does your home power.

Home solar panels can only do two things: (1) Charge a home battery system or (2) augment home/grid electricity useage which will reduce your electricity bill.

If the grid goes down, the solar panels are diconnected from the house/grid and are pretty much useless (anti-islanding") unless there is a battery to charge

We are on a Time of Use (TOU) plan with the utility company. From midnight to 0600 the electricity rate is half of the day rate. So, from midnight to 0600 Solix system switches to charge mode. At 0600 the Anker home power panel isolates the critical circuits that we want powered in the event of a power outage. Those circuits are then powered by our Anker batteries (the half price electrons in the battery) until they are drained. We always maintain a minimum of 20% battery storage for use in case of a real grid failure. Then the power panel switches back to the grid, charging the batteries at midnight and then discharging at 0600 the next day. Repeat.

Living off grid is a different discussion.

Hope this helps.

 

[mkhuffman]

You would need a battery backup system like a Tesla Powerwall or Anker Solix system (which I have). Without a battery storage system, if the grid goes down, so does your home power.

Home solar panels can only do two things: (1) Charge a home battery system or (2) augment home/grid electricity useage which will reduce your electricity bill.

If the grid goes down, the solar panels are diconnected from the house/grid and are pretty much useless (anti-islanding") unless there is a battery to charge

We are on a Time of Use (TOU) plan with the utility company. From midnight to 0600 the electricity rate is half of the day rate. So, from midnight to 0600 Solix system switches to charge mode. At 0600 the Anker home power panel isolates the critical circuits that we want powered in the event of a power outage. Those circuits are then powered by our Anker batteries (the half price electrons in the battery) until they are drained. We always maintain a minimum of 20% battery storage for use in case of a real grid failure. Then the power panel switches back to the grid, charging the batteries at midnight and then discharging at 0600 the next day. Repeat.

Living off grid is a different discussion.

Hope this helps.

I have considered switching to a TOU plan and doing just what you described. Have you run the math and how long does it take for the electricity cost savings pay for the Anker?

 

[slillie]

I have considered switching to a TOU plan and doing just what you described. Have you run the math and how long does it take for the electricity cost savings pay for the Anker?

It’s a new program so I haven’t had a chance yet. Of course my truck is programmed to start charging at midnight.

 

[mkhuffman]

It’s a new program so I haven’t had a chance yet. Of course my truck is programmed to start charging at midnight.

Using the math for my local power rates, I would need to shift 100% of my power to the lower rates and even then it will take years to break even. The problem is if you use electricity during the peak rates it can offset any savings you get by shifting some to the lower rate.

It's a very cool idea though if you can make it work out to be somewhat cheaper. Adding solar I think is the key to a faster payback, hut of course solar is an investment that just raises the break even amount.

 

[SwampNut]

All of this varies by location. In my area, ToU is a no-brainer, and going to flat would add at least $100/mo in summer. And a battery to shift usage is *probably* logical now that they have become so cheap. We have a demand charge that is a fee above the actual kWh cost, and is a LOT. It's based on the highest one hour of usage in the month. If I can cut that, it adds up fast, but have barely touched the math on it.

 

[JacobAZ]

A few thoughts from experience. Over the past 15 years I have owned 3 houses (still own 2), all in Arizona, each with a different Electricity provider, Installed solar on all and battery on one.

Payback time on solar/battery. Assuming you can pay cash, not lease or get a loan, the answer is about 1 day. The point most people miss is adding solar to a home is a capital investment (like upgrading a kitchen). WIth solar you will get most of it back when you sell the house. The panels will outlive you, the inverter will need replace around 15 years. The solar we put on the Phoenix house about 15 years ago cost me $10k out of pocket. When we sold it the appraiser added $12k for the solar. It sold at appraisal. While I had the house I saved about $1k per year on electric. A 10% annual return on my investment and I got my capital + back at sale.

If you own an EV and are willing to make some lifestyle changes and can be on a Time of Use plan you can likely save a lot compared to flat rate. The TOU plan Swampnut refers to is with APS. The difference between off-peak / super-off peak and a flat rate plan is 40% - 65% savings (depends on a number of factors). On peak is similar to the flat rate plan. Where they get you is the demand charge (most electricity used in any one hour period between 4pm - 7pm for the month) Good news is if you are willing to make lifestyle changes, you can move most electric usage off peak. I pay no demand in summer (sun is still out) and keep it under .5kw in winter.

IF you are not able to shift most electric usage to off peak, then a battery and running on it during peak hours can save a lot. A friend installed Tesla power wall 3 with additional battery saving a couple thousand a year by time shifting.

But as SwampNut said, it depends where you live and plans available. You need to figure out what is best for you. You also need to look at how/if you are compensated for extra solar sent back to the utility. Our primary residence is on Navopache Electric. We have solar and battery. On their plan TOU would not save us money. The battery is for the frequent outages. We produce more solar electricity than we use and get paid wholesale price from the utility.

 

[slillie]

Using the math for my local power rates, I would need to shift 100% of my power to the lower rates and even then it will take years to break even. The problem is if you use electricity during the peak rates it can offset any savings you get by shifting some to the lower rate.

It's a very cool idea though if you can make it work out to be somewhat cheaper. Adding solar I think is the key to a faster payback, hut of course solar is an investment that just raises the break even amount.

I have four solar panels that came with my Solix F3800 package. The cost of installation in Washington State is expensive and I would need another 4 panels (8 total) in order to make a significant difference, but the installation costs would make the rate of return not really worth it. "The Juice isn't worth the Squeeze."

The plan is to slowly buy add-on extension batteries so they can power my home during the most expensive TOU period (noon to 2100). Hopefully reduce my electric bill by 33% while having enough back-up power to feed the essential circuits for 1-2 days during power outages.

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