Go Solar

The APS (AP systems) micro-inverters supplied and installed by STI Solar Technology deliver per-panel data in real time, and full history, via either PLC (power line communication) or ZigBee wireless, to the ECU, which does connect to the internet modem. The user can access the full info via computer, or iPhone / Android app. This secure portal also allows for remote diagnostics and adjustment if needed by our engineers and techs.

Here's the map coordinates; these local old roads are in tough shape, so plan to take an SUV or something rugged with some ground clearance....it is easier to go in through the pueblo of Tlachichilco, and continue to follow 16 de Sept east, than to turn south off of the carraterra directly above it. 20.335515, -103.078470

There IS a "worm farm" and compost / black earth operation at lakeside, just east of Tlachichilco, south of the carraterra on the old callejon to Mezcala. Will post back here with the link to the exact location. And you can stop in at Focaccia on the way for a snack or meal.

If you know someone over there, you could PayPal it to them (assume as a personal transaction), and have them deposit it for you.

With respect to CFE, there's not much they can do unless there is a definite meter reading error or electrical issue on their end. In most cases, high bills are either a result of high(er) consumption or low production; and we review CFE bills for existing systems all the time, as comparing the net readings with the actual solar production is a good way to evaluate what has changed / happened. Following a winter period of a lot of cold and not a lot of sun this year, a few bills headed toward or into the DAC rate, and should come out of it shortly again.

Floradude - As long as the light part is using the fan's AC line voltage, you can easily convert it to a standard bulb socket and use a regular LED bulb. Did that to a bunch that had the "circular" ring type fluorescent bulbs in them, which were / are $$$ and hard to find / get locally. Just snip off / desolder the old socket, and connect the new one and fix it in place. Works great, and the remote control also works as long as you use the same wires in the fixture. Definitely a detail to check, when buying a ceiling fan with light.....

If you mean the assisted screen reader for Windows, best check with Computer Guy. https://www.nvaccess.org/

Overall easier and more standardized both within and from outside MX, IMHO, and agree, it can only accelerate the land line defections, especially with the "quality" of speed & service on the DSL especially....😜

Great news for calling both within MX and to it, from outside.... https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g150793-i46-k12385914-Reminder_Simplified_phone_calling_begins_on_Aug_3_2019-Puerto_Vallarta.html

All solar power with a CFE grid tied, net metering system is first used in the house at the time it is produced; only the excess goes to the grid. And all grid-tied inverters (global industry and safety standard) shut down when they don't have a grid reference to work to, whether a central string inverter, or micro-inverter. Remember, transformers work both ways. That 220 V can become 12,000 or more, flowing back the other way after it leaves your home.

Thanks Pete. Yep, you and Tiny have it right. And the 1st line on the CFE solar bill is the "use" (current, less previous reading), while the 2nd line of figures is the "sent". There are a few solar meters out there with little arrows instead of #'s... these can be a bit more difficult to interpret. The one pointing "into" the meter (like a ">" on the left side of the display, facing to the right) is "use", and if it is pointing "out" of the meter (left side of display, facing left, like this "<" ) then, this is "sent". If any doubt, take 2 good clear close up photos, (one of each reading), date them, compare them to the most recent CFE bill, and head to the CFE office....! 😉

Tiny, good point - you'll have to ask the OP to check, perhaps there was a bill back then, it would fit with the above words......

That is because the OP mentioned never having had other than the minimum bill from CFE, in other words, he always had a kWh credit balance, from the beginning, so there has been no consumption to show, on the graph. Definitely need to check both the system and the house electrical, and "think back" to the winter period of use that may have driven up consumption considerably, like electrical heating, and used up the credit balance.

Currently installing 370 watt size panels, Pete, each is 1x2 meters. Size has increased more than efficiency....however, progress is being made, and now 4 can take the place of 8 to 10, and all 4 can be run with a single micro-inverter, with per panel online monitoring, in real time and full history. (warning; can be addicting! 😉 So if a hiccup occurs on the CFE billing, it is very easy to check (from anywhere via PC or phone app) what is going on, even adjust the inverter parameters remotely (tech function) to better match the grid voltage and frequency.

Not quite. Neither of the CFE numbers represent what your panels are producing. (unless your home is totally turned off....then 2.8.0 could show that.) The 1.8.0 is use from CFE. (For most folks with a well sized solar system, this generally just goes up at night.) The 2.8.0 is "sent" to CFE, which is NET of what is used in your home, at the time it is being produced. (Can only increase, during the day.) The difference between the two, is the "net net" amount of use (or credit) from, or with, CFE, for any period of time both are being measured.

Looking at the #'s on the bills again, they don't appear out of range or appear to be in error, so it is possible that some / all of the credits expired since the last bill, and the rest were then used up, and /or that your system is only partially producing. A 16 panel system is on the larger side, residentially, and it would be worth having it checked or checking the monitoring system to verify the solar production / output.

Bisbee Gal is correct, the previous credit amount ("bolsa de energia) was 2532 kWh. Important to remember, the credits work on a 12 month rolling basis; anything older "drops off" - "use it or lose it". The meter indicators mentioned ( I and II) are the "use from CFE" and the "sent to CFE", respectively, on that type of meter. (there are numerous versions, some have arrows, some have these #'s, and the most recent have the 1.8.0 and 2.8.0 indicators) Check the meter readings against the CFE bill, best guess is it was mis-read. Take photos and date them ASAP. Likely will need a trip into CFE if they don't appear to be correct. Or, as SunFan did, you can allow the next readings (if correct....) to resolve it. Let us know!

JudyRae; did you sign an application for inter-connection (along with supplying your photo ID)? I'd suggest going to CFE Vallarta office and asking to speak to the person in charge of the solar inter-connections area. Check about that and "all should become clear" Bisbee: will check on it, best guess is that "Aviso" area was just temporarily given over to the INEGI Economic Census message.....

He didn't say he bought them new.....! 😉 Just more recycling and conservation at work, good shoes can last pretty much forever, >> who will get them after JIT?

Any chance the credit balance was used up? Would be most likely to happen after the winter months, with somewhat less production and often more consumption....check the last credit, and then the net consumption on this most recent bill.

Renters are putting in systems quite often these days; their arrangements with the landlords vary from the homeowner paying the full shot to have it as a great rental feature and long term upgrade to the value of the home, to the renters owning the system (fairly easy to take if / when they leave, and re-install in the next location, especially with the micro-inverter technology) and some creative "hybrid" deals where each pay part.

Thanks to the OP and others for the kind words! For Oregon, the DAC level being at 500 kWh per 2 months, with a cost of over 5 pesos per kWh now, means that most bills over 2500 pesos are in the DAC rate; your consumption is likely in the 600 to 700 kWh range given those billings. You can cut that cost by 90% and have a payback in the 3.5 to 4 year range, for a typical residential install in the area. STI looks forward to seeing everyone at the Chili Cookoff, 15th to 17th Feb, and the Northern Lights Music Festival / Festival de Febrero again has a 25,000 peso STI gift certificate they will auction to help the musicians make it another great event.

Pete, The month to month annual usage chart I'm seeing is on the top of the back page, titled "Consumo Historico kWh". (blank in this case as they've had net credits each and every billing period, for others with use from CFE, it would look like a bar chart). I'd post the whole page however it has client specific info on it...... The one you may be mentioning is the circular type gauge / breakdown of consumption relative to the DAC rate level, with the green, yellow, and red zones? That used to be on the front page, and is not showing on this one. Good point. Best info to date is that the credit system continues to work on a past 12 month rolling period, so it is not related to the calendar year - you just go back 12 months from the current billing period. Any credits from prior to that would "drop off". So by reviewing the most current 6 bills, one can calculate if there should be a credit showing and what that amount of kWh credit should be.

Just reviewed a local October solar bill, and all appears well. In the "Aviso Importante" green box located in the lower right corner on the back (2nd) page, it shows both the accumulated credit amount, and the most recent credit / debit to / from the account. Both amounts appear to be correct in this case. So the credits appear to have been preserved, even though they had not been showing on the statements earlier this year.