48 Main Avenue LLC in Passaic, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since February of 2013. The array went up on the building over that year and was producing by the end of September, 24 ET 245 watt panels on Enphase M215 microinverters with Zep II mounting and an SREC meter. At 5.88 kW it was designed for about 5,897 kWh a year. On a commercial roof the metering matters as much as the panels, because the SRECs are part of the return. Passaic is in Passaic County.
Project Facts
- Location
- Passaic, NJ
- Service
- Solar Panel Installation
- Client since
- February 2013
- Panels
- ET Model # P660245WBZ
- Panels
- 24
- System size
- 5.88 kW
- Inverter
- EnPhase M215-60-2LL-S22/S23 Micro-Single
- Mounting system
- Zep Solar
- Estimated first-year production
- 5,897 kWh
- Electric utility
- PSE&G
Solar questions from Passaic homeowners
How much does shade from mature Passaic trees affect production?
Shade can materially reduce production, particularly when it falls during the highest-production hours. Module-level electronics such as microinverters and optimizers reduce the effect of partial shading, but they cannot create sunlight where there is none. Significant shade should be modelled before any annual production figure is quoted.
Does a bigger array always produce more?
Generally yes when everything else is equal, but size alone does not decide annual production. A smaller unshaded south-facing array can outproduce a larger one that is shaded or poorly oriented. Azimuth, tilt, shading, inverter efficiency and module characteristics all bear on it.
Can the panels come off and go back on for a new roof?
Yes -- it is commonly called a removal and replacement. The work involves taking off the modules and mounting equipment, protecting the electrical equipment, roofing, fitting new attachments, rewiring, reinstalling, testing and recommissioning. Permitting and utility requirements are reviewed where the configuration changes.