How to keep nem 1 and increase my production.

[Vince2]

Is there a way to double my solar capacity without losing my net metering agreement. Currently I have a sma sb 7.7 inverter and 10k in sunpower panels. I wanted to add a growatt min 11.4 inverter and 14.5 kW in panels. When I applied for the permit with ku (affiliated with pg&e) I discovered that I would lose my nem 1 and have a complicated formula where it is no longer 1:
1, and not sure how this new agreement works, except it would be worse for me. My current system produces 12000 kW on average each year. My yearly needs are about 30kW so I hoped I would get close to breaking even with the expansion. Already have everything to get started. Is there a loop hole to keep my current arrangement?

 

[SnickeringBear]

The simplest way is to install a separate breaker box and split the loads with the new inverter and solar panels on the dedicated breaker box. You would not have these loads connected to the grid at all.

Have you looked for ways to reduce consumption? Better insulation and sealing of the house, heat pump water heater, heat pump dryer, heat pump pool heater, and other conservation measures can drastically cut consumption.

 

[Vince2]

I have changed completely to mini splits for heating and cooling and driving an electric car. My energy use has gone up in the winter months a lot of course. For 7500 s ft and an pre 1900 house, my consumption is reasonable.

 

[Vince2]

I was wondering if I limit my max production to the net to the current 7.7 kW and consume the rest, would that go undetected. The would regulate my growatt so that I would never exceed that output to the grid.

 

[Hedges]

Ideally you would use 100% of the hybrid's production to power loads.
Existing GT PV delivering up to 100% of output as backfeed of grid.
If hybrid has battery, it could store some surplus PV, further reducing what GT PV power is needed immediately.

See if a "zero export" addition is allowed as add-on while keeping net metering.

I think that running GT PV wire backwards through CT on utility connection, that would let hybrid measure all power consumption from grid without measuring GT PV backfeed, so it can zero grid current for load without trying to zero GT PV.

(same could be accomplished if all loads moved to sub-panel and hybrid does zero export to that.)

 

[Vince2]

The growatt smart meter would let me set a max grid output, with the ct on the grid side. I was told that if I had a battery set up, my current agreement would remain. getting one of the lg hv battery h16 might be worth it.

 

[Hedges]

NEM may allow battery, even backfeed from battery during peak use times (time shifting).
I set up a Sunny Boy Storage (battery only) for peak shaving, now that I've fallen off NEM.

But if Growatt has PV as well and is allowed to export, won't that get you bumped off NEM?
Even if capped at the watts export you've presently got peak allowed, because you would then export additional kWh from additional kW of panels?

That's why I suggested zero-export.
Problem with that, if Growatt sees export from existing system, it will cut back its own output until 100% of existing system output supports present loads.

So my idea is, zero export to a CT around grid connection. And take GT PV wires from existing system and feed them backwards through CT.
Current from existing system goes through CT one way, lands on a breaker, goes back out grid wires, counts as zero.
So Growatt doesn't see existing system's current, only controls its own.
Growatt supplies up to 100% of present loads and charges battery with surplus.
Existing system banks power with net metering to use at night (only if Growatt's battery can't carry the house), or for winter.