Solar Power

InterMechanico · Sep 14, 2014

Follow Up a Few Months Later

WLVCA said:
I had a 14 kW system installed about a month ago. I'm in Tucson so lots of sunshine here although its cloudy today.

So far the system has produced about 3,000 kWh, about 3 1/2 times what we've drawn from the utility company if I am reading the meter correctly. Haven't seen my first bill with the solar system yet.

With a pool, fish pond and two A/C systems our electric bills last summer were high. Hope I am building sufficient reserve to offset a big portion of those costs.

Hi-O. I'm curious how your grid tied system has worked out so far? Any great savings on your bills?

MtnHam · Sep 14, 2014

MtnHam said:
View attachment 15271

My 6.5kw grid tied system, installed 4 years ago. Prior to install, my annual electric bill was over $4,000. This year, the utility company will owe me $350. No negative effect on SQ of my audio system.

Today I was looking at my PG&E meter. As usual for a sunny day, it was sending excess production into the grid, at 3.5kw per hour. I also observed the date of install of my "bi-directional" meter which coincided with the install of the solar system, June 2008. So it was over 6 years ago, not 4 as previously stated. Time fly's! Thus, my cash savings to date is about $24,000. I leave my sound system powered up 24/7 for instant gratification anytime I wish!

WLVCA · Sep 14, 2014

InterMechanico said:
Hi-O. I'm curious how your grid tied system has worked out so far? Any great savings on your bills?

Yes, my electric bill through the summer months has been $10.50 per month. That charge is a small grid connection fee and local taxes.

We are still 700 kWh ahead so we should make it through September and the end of the warm weather. We'll then begin building a surplus again.

So far I have been very pleased with the system.

amirm · Sep 14, 2014

Must be a great feeling to have a solar system beyond any actual monetary reward. Something about self-sufficiency. I might put in a system just for that reason

.

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

Hello all, any recent solar panel installs or additional information? The wife and I are interested in exploring our options and i thought I would respond here instead of starting another thread.

Tom

RBFC · Jul 16, 2016

I was recently told that owners of electric vehicles who expect to charge their cars from their home's solar power array will need to have an extra battery assembly to cover the demand of the charger. Haven't had time to check/research this claim, but may be an issue for those with these vehicles.

Lee

MtnHam · Jul 16, 2016

RBFC said:
I was recently told that owners of electric vehicles who expect to charge their cars from their home's solar power array will need to have an extra battery assembly to cover the demand of the charger. Haven't had time to check/research this claim, but may be an issue for those with these vehicles.

Lee

Most buyers of electric cars will be living on the grid, and thus their solar systems do not employ batteries. How much bigger their PV array needs to be to accommodate their e-car will depend mainly on how many miles/day they drive.

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

Well, I own a gas-guzzling full sized truck (I have to tow up to 10,000lbs on a daily basis for work) so that won't be an issue for me but thanks for notifying those who do have an electric car. That's vaguely important.

Tom

DaveyF · Jul 16, 2016

As part of my electrical upgrade project, I just installed a 28 panel system with micro inverters. This produces about 50Kw a day...more than enough for an electric vehicle if I so choose. In S.Calif, we have plenty of sunshine

Solar is the way to go, IMHO.

Steve Williams · Jul 16, 2016

The new leases on solar panels makes it difficult to say no to solar.

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

What company did those who have solar panels go with? National, local, brand name, obscure? Any recommendations or hiccups associated with company?

Tom

Steve Williams · Jul 16, 2016

I looked at Elon Musk's Solar City

microstrip · Jul 16, 2016

DaveyF said:
As part of my electrical upgrade project, I just installed a 28 panel system with micro inverters. This produces about 50Kw a day...more than enough for an electric vehicle if I so choose. In S.Calif, we have plenty of sunshine Solar is the way to go, IMHO.

What is the typical price for this facility in the US, including installation?

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

Steve Williams said:
The new leases on solar panels makes it difficult to say no to solar.

Hello Steve. This is "kind of" what prompted my interest in solar panels. I am checking out the options with a Duke Energy and LGCY partnership that isn't really a lease, it's more of a "Let me borrow your roof for 20 years and we will lower your electric bill but install and maintain for free while taking excess electricity for us" type deal with the leases that I honestly didn't know were available and outright ownership.....along with the tax rebates or other benefits of owning.

It seems that there are many choices and LOTS of things to consider with each one. Our bill averages around the 180 a month mark and I am looking at actual cash outlay, install costs, long term and short term advantages with each option.

Then there is the "should I keep my original meter for the rig and if not, will it affect the sound" question that lingers in my mind....

Steve Williams said:
I looked at Elon Musk's Solar City

Thanks Steve.

Tom

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

One important question I have is this -

For those that own -vs- lease, how did this affect the value or appraisal of your house? Any unforeseen issues on either side?

Tom

Steve Williams · Jul 16, 2016

treitz3 said:
Hello Steve. This is "kind of" what prompted my interest in solar panels. I am checking out the options with a Duke Energy and LGCY partnership that isn't really a lease, it's more of a "Let me borrow your roof for 20 years and we will lower your electric bill but install and maintain for free while taking excess electricity for us" type deal with the leases that I honestly didn't know were available and outright ownership.....along with the tax rebates or other benefits of owning.

It seems that there are many choices and LOTS of things to consider with each one. Our bill averages around the 180 a month mark and I am looking at actual cash outlay, install costs, long term and short term advantages with each option.

Then there is the "should I keep my original meter for the rig and if not, will it affect the sound" question that lingers in my mind....

Thanks Steve.

Tom

All the leases are basically the same as what you said. I was looking at a 28-30 panel system. If I bought it the cost was north of $60K. I am considering lease but as you say they take all the extra power your panels produce. The other lease concern is when you sell your house and the buyer won't assume the lease. Lease is good as the panels are maintained and replaced for no charge during the life of the lease

MtnHam · Jul 16, 2016

After the 30% Investment Tax Credit and annual depreciation, today's typical solar install will reach it's break even point in about 6 years, assuming a $0.20/kwh cost of electricity from your utility company and net metering and no financing cost. This means a ROI of about 15%, far better than most alternative investments, and a very low risk factor!

DaveyF · Jul 16, 2016

microstrip said:
What is the typical price for this facility in the US, including installation?

Pricing is dependent on the difficulty of installation. In my instance, we unfortunately had to re-do 50% of the roof, as we have a low weight tile roof...and it was very fragile....therefore requiring major roof work.
I went with LG panels and Empower inverters.

Btw, I would NOT recommend a lease system....too many negative issues. ( which I am happy to discuss off-line!).

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

Interesting DaveyF. Hello and good afternoon to you BTW. Thanks for chiming in. Would you care to highlight the top 3 main reasons online without too much detail so that those who are inquiring know what to ask for and PM me some concerns that you are willing to divulge to me? I'm serious about getting one but I want to walk into the deal highly educated about the decision and not just "okay" with any deal that comes along.

Thank you to all those who have chimed in, much appreciated.

Tom

treitz3 · Jul 16, 2016

Another question to those who have solar panels......is there an increased risk for lightning strikes to hit in your own experience? I would gather there is given that there is additional metal up on the roof but this is one area that I am unsure of, given that I have zero experience.

Also, is regular cleaning or maintenance required with a solar panel array?

I apologize in advance for having so many questions and I appreciate any experience those with solar panels can offer. Even if it's a small, seemingly unimportant note? It may me a major factor for those who are interested in solar energy.

Tom

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