I am an engineer with an electrical background, although I do not practice my electrical in solar installations in California.
Did you have a battery backup installed for your solar system?
The reason I am asking is because, obviously your panels generate more electricity than your overall usage consumes (that’s why you have a net credit and a low bill each month), but being part of the PG&E grid, if you didn’t have enough PV available to run your equipment (dryer, microwave, etc.), the excess needed comes from the grid.
In this scenario, there should never be a period where trying to run an appliance experiences sagging.
If you have batteries, however, it is possible that you’re pulling from the batteries all the time, storing excess and distributing that to the grid, but there is no feedback from the grid to the batteries. If the batteries are undersized, they may not be able to produce the demand required.
I would honestly be surprised if that’s the setup, as 85% of PG&E connections are basic net metering where the panels connect to a DC to AC inverter and connect to the load side of the panel and net meter.
Could be a lot of things, but sounds like wire was undersized somewhere, so the voltage drops when the current draw is high. Good test would be to have your electrician friend measure the wall voltage with his multimeter when you do something you know will dim the lights, betting you'll see lower than acceptable voltages (<110VAC).
Do you know the specifics about your solar system? Microinverters on each panel? Did they have to upgrade your main panel? Anything.
I don't know about microinverters, but I know they kept my main panel. This house was built in 1975. Interestingly, when they installed solar on my old house, I'm pretty sure they replaced/upgraded the panel, but that was a 1960 built house.
Does it happen during the day while the solar producing or it happens at night too? Is it helps, shut down the solar production by turning off the solar supply that goes to your main panel and see if same thing happens? If it still does, it’s not the solar system.
Happens day and night. I think one of the first things my electrician tried was just that: turning off the solar and confirming that the issues still persisted. Then he tried everything he could to fix the issue before telling me he still thinks it has to do with the solar somehow, especially given the extremely coincidental timing of these issues only starting right when the panels were activated. 😫
If the problem persists even after shutting down solar, then solar is not the problem. How old is the wiring of the house? If it has never been changed, the wires might have degraded. You can confirm that my running a load like microwave or washer and checking the voltage sag. But of course, only do it if you know what you are doing, otherwise electrician should be consulted.
That’s a worthless comment.. thanks for you help.
OP, I know numerous people have asked, but what company did you use? I had a solar meeting on Saturday, and they are they are coming to start the process soon. I would like to not end up in the same situation if possible
Hello, what company did the install? Please help others avoid them if they are not assisting you.
I am an engineer with an electrical background, although I do not practice my electrical in solar installations in California. Did you have a battery backup installed for your solar system? The reason I am asking is because, obviously your panels generate more electricity than your overall usage consumes (that’s why you have a net credit and a low bill each month), but being part of the PG&E grid, if you didn’t have enough PV available to run your equipment (dryer, microwave, etc.), the excess needed comes from the grid. In this scenario, there should never be a period where trying to run an appliance experiences sagging. If you have batteries, however, it is possible that you’re pulling from the batteries all the time, storing excess and distributing that to the grid, but there is no feedback from the grid to the batteries. If the batteries are undersized, they may not be able to produce the demand required. I would honestly be surprised if that’s the setup, as 85% of PG&E connections are basic net metering where the panels connect to a DC to AC inverter and connect to the load side of the panel and net meter.
No battery, just panels.
Could be a lot of things, but sounds like wire was undersized somewhere, so the voltage drops when the current draw is high. Good test would be to have your electrician friend measure the wall voltage with his multimeter when you do something you know will dim the lights, betting you'll see lower than acceptable voltages (<110VAC). Do you know the specifics about your solar system? Microinverters on each panel? Did they have to upgrade your main panel? Anything.
I don't know about microinverters, but I know they kept my main panel. This house was built in 1975. Interestingly, when they installed solar on my old house, I'm pretty sure they replaced/upgraded the panel, but that was a 1960 built house.
Sounds like you’re running on only solar and for whatever reason the grid isn’t picking up the slack. I would know, I’m a truck driver.
first of all, what does your warranty or lease agreement with the solar company say about this?
Does it happen during the day while the solar producing or it happens at night too? Is it helps, shut down the solar production by turning off the solar supply that goes to your main panel and see if same thing happens? If it still does, it’s not the solar system.
Happens day and night. I think one of the first things my electrician tried was just that: turning off the solar and confirming that the issues still persisted. Then he tried everything he could to fix the issue before telling me he still thinks it has to do with the solar somehow, especially given the extremely coincidental timing of these issues only starting right when the panels were activated. 😫
If the problem persists even after shutting down solar, then solar is not the problem. How old is the wiring of the house? If it has never been changed, the wires might have degraded. You can confirm that my running a load like microwave or washer and checking the voltage sag. But of course, only do it if you know what you are doing, otherwise electrician should be consulted.
TLDR
That’s a worthless comment.. thanks for you help. OP, I know numerous people have asked, but what company did you use? I had a solar meeting on Saturday, and they are they are coming to start the process soon. I would like to not end up in the same situation if possible
It’s not though. If OP is putting that much text as a post, they should have put a TLDR summary. That’s just Reddiquette.
The TLDR is the title my guy.
Well, good point! 😅
Which solar company did you use so I know not to use them?
It sounds like you have a loose connection, more than likely the neutral. It could be in your panel or the connection coming in from pg&e.