honda 2000 generator with solar panel assist..

I know that theoretically, at mid-day if I had 20, 200 watt panels (pointed directly at the sun on the equator. lol) I would get 2000 watts

Check your math.

2oldman wrote:

smkettner wrote:
I am on plan A

Those are some outrageous rates in the afternoon.

Yes that is the time to sell and get credits.

Well,
I know that theoretically, at mid-day if I had 20, 200 watt panels (pointed directly at the sun on the equator. lol) I would get 2000 watts.

Im busy, but will stay on this and attempt to report back on this thread.
If no one is doing this, the answer is likely that it is currently too much trouble or too expensive or such.

smkettner wrote:
I am on plan A

Those are some outrageous rates in the afternoon.

My neighbor just had an electric bill a bit over $500.

2oldman wrote:
What is your kwh utility rate for consumption?

SCE standard rates

SCE TOU rates I am on plan A

I have a Solarcity grid tied system on my house. 10.5 kW system with a big ass inverter in the basement. My electric bills with my machine shop was running on average $150 a month. I've not seen an electric bill in three years. Currently have ammassed over $300 in credits from the utility. Best thing I ever did!

The bottom line is that trying to install a grid-tie system in an RV is not economically feasible. Also, some of us are producing AC power for our needs but it is not in the order of 3KW.
Forum member Jim in Denver comes close to whole house 120V AC with solar. IIRC, he has 750W on the roof.

smkettner wrote:
I get credit for 35 to 45 cents per kWh during the day. I run my appliances, charge electric car and run the air conditioner heavily overnight paying 2 to 12 cents per kWh. This pricing is netted on my bill. I net use plenty of electricity for an annual cost of about $100. Last year the on-peak prices went up and I just smiled :)

That's terrific. What is your kwh utility rate for consumption?

I'm moving farther south soon, and I'll keep this in mind.

2oldman wrote:
I've often heard about "selling power back to the power company" which I've been suspect of. Seems like running your house would take a whole lot. I would think it would take a monster array to be able to sell power back to the utility.

generally net metering allows you to pay the net kWh used at the end of the 12 month cycle. If you are a net generator you get paid a very low wholesale rate... maybe 30% of the retail rate so not really worth selling.

What really works well for me is TOU or Time Of Use rates. Solar is produced during the high demand high price time of the day. I get credit for 35 to 45 cents per kWh during the day. I run my appliances, charge electric car and run the air conditioner heavily overnight paying 2 to 12 cents per kWh. This pricing is netted on my bill. I net use plenty of electricity for an annual cost of about $100. Last year the on-peak prices went up and I just smiled :)

Payback on the 3 kW system installed by Solar City will be five years or less. Otherwise a 20% return on my money instead of 1% bank rates.

2oldman wrote:
I would think it would take a monster array to be able to sell power back to the utility.

Upwards of 3,000W I think.
Expats in Mexico are doing grid-tie where practical. Mexican electricity rates are ridiculous after you've exceeded certain quota (and rest assured that with AC you will exceed it). From what I hear, they don't get a zero bill but can reduce monthly cost a lot, say, from $200 to $30.