Home Solar

[Trouble15]

Anyone have any experience with installing residential home solar? Was looking at it to cut down on electricity bill. Numbers and quotes make sense to me. I went into final inspection of my 6 year old roof & they're trying to hit me with $2,625 for a partial roof repairs (claim a 100 sq foot "soft" area) which makes me start to question everything now. Curious if others have gone through the process and what their personal experience was or if anyone has any advice?

Much appreciated in advance!

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Anyone have any experience with installing residential home solar? Was looking at it to cut down on electricity bill. Numbers and quotes make sense to me. I went into final inspection of my 6 year old roof & they're trying to hit me with $2,625 for a partial roof repairs (claim a 100 sq foot "soft" area) which makes me start to question everything now. Curious if others have gone through the process and what their personal experience was or if anyone has any advice?

Much appreciated in advance!

Ultimately, what do you hope to achieve by having solar. I installed my entire system myself, which is 95% off grid. I think my goals differ from most installations I see. Again, what are your goals?

[Blansky]

I'd love to be off the grid. But to me it only makes sense if you have the backup batteries.

I think you have to plan to live in your home for x number of years to make the initial investment worth it. If I was younger I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Ultimately, what do you hope to achieve by having solar. I installed my entire system myself, which is 95% off grid. I think my goals differ from most installations I see. Again, what are your goals?

I hope to achieve cost savings.

My ultimate goal would be to have a solar system installed, go off the grid and have 100% (or more at which case I would go electric with my car, etc.) of my residential electricity needs met. My understanding from speaking to solar company's is I have to stay on the grid and connected to my local electricity provider and pay the monthly connection fee no matter what. Where I'm located in NY I'm not allowed to connect back-up batteries either. The set up is projected to cover 95%-96% of my average annual electricity consumption.

I see some posts online of people installing a system and the projections are way off and they wind up actually paying more to the solar company + electricity company after the install. My understanding is the agreements come with tons of clauses that limits their liability or representations once installed. I'm a little weary of a sales guy pushing and saying whatever works in the moment to get a commission, and I would get screwed over the long-term and not save anything. Or even worse, wind up with highly monthly costs after the solar install.

I'm sure there are some arguments on both side of the spectrum so really looking to see what some peoples person experiences are.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I'd love to be off the grid. But to me it only makes sense if you have the backup batteries.

I think you have to plan to live in your home for x number of years to make the initial investment worth it. If I was younger I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Same with off the grid and batteries.

Agreed, when I did the calcs I need to stay in my home about 6-7 years I think I came out to (off the top of my head) for it to pay off. I plan to stay that long, so I think it all makes sense.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

I hope to achieve cost savings.

My ultimate goal would be to have a solar system installed, go off the grid and have 100% (or more at which case I would go electric with my car, etc.) of my residential electricity needs met. My understanding from speaking to solar company's is I have to stay on the grid and connected to my local electricity provider and pay the monthly connection fee no matter what. Where I'm located in NY I'm not allowed to connect back-up batteries either. The set up is projected to cover 95%-96% of my average annual electricity consumption.

I see some posts online of people installing a system and the projections are way off and they wind up actually paying more to the solar company + electricity company after the install. My understanding is the agreements come with tons of clauses that limits their liability or representations once installed. I'm a little weary of a sales guy pushing and saying whatever works in the moment to get a commission, and I would get screwed over the long-term and not save anything. Or even worse, wind up with highly monthly costs after the solar install.

I'm sure there are some arguments on both side of the spectrum so really looking to see what some peoples person experiences are.

In California there was some thing about if you financed the panels from Musks company, and the company put a lien on your house for the term of the "loan" and if you had to move you had to clear the lien before you could sell the house. Something like that.

[pickettt]

Well, now you kind of understand my motivations. Personally, I would never get involved in any solar company’s contract with clauses I don’t agree with. Did you know they are actually leasing your roof? Albeit quite a bit out of pocket, I’m not dependent on any agency (except on the hottest days) for my energy needs. That’s why I did it. If you’re looking for cost savings, you’re going to have to get in bed with one of these companies. I guess you just have to find the one you hate least. Good luck.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In California there was some thing about if you financed the panels from Musks company, and the company put a lien on your house for the term of the "loan" and if you had to move you had to clear the lien before you could sell the house. Something like that.

Yep, it’s ridiculous.

Regarding it only making sense if you have backup batteries; it only works if you have batteries. They aren’t “backup” batteries in that sense. A solar setup is really a battery setup.....that is recharged by solar.

Another thing people don’t think about is that grid-tie systems don’t work when the power goes out.

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Same with off the grid and batteries.

Agreed, when I did the calcs I need to stay in my home about 6-7 years I think I came out to (off the top of my head) for it to pay off. I plan to stay that long, so I think it all makes sense.

Well that's your answer. Go for it.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Yep, it’s ridiculous.

Regarding it only making sense if you have backup batteries; it only works if you have batteries. They aren’t “backup” batteries in that sense. A solar setup is really a battery setup.....that is recharged by solar.

Another thing people don’t think about is that grid-tie systems don’t work when the power goes out.

Got it. What is the system that could keep you going if the power was shut off for a couple of days? A more extensive battery array?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Got it. What is the system that could keep you going if the power was shut off for a couple of days? A more extensive battery array?

Yes, a bigger battery bank would do that. If you were looking for a that type of backup system, there is a charger/inverter that is available that charges batteries while you are using the utility company’s power, then takes over if you lose power (regardless of whether or not you have any panels at all). Of course, solar panels can be tied to such a charger as well. The solar grid-tie companies would not allow you to add such a device to their equipment.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Ultimately, what do you hope to achieve by having solar. I installed my entire system myself, which is 95% off grid. I think my goals differ from most installations I see. Again, what are your goals?

Can you post up a link to where you purchased system ( ie parts, panels , types of panels and such )

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Duey

Can you post up a link to where you purchased system ( ie parts, panels , types of panels and such )

PM sent

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In California there was some thing about if you financed the panels from Musks company, and the company put a lien on your house for the term of the "loan" and if you had to move you had to clear the lien before you could sell the house. Something like that.

I had a situation like this in AZ as well. I don’t believe it’s just CA. I went through Solar City which was eventually purchased by Tesla and Elon Musk and all. The financing deal was pretty good compared to buying them outright, and they basically have like a 30 year warranty on it as well during that time. However when you sell the house just like you mentioned, the buyer has to agree to take on the solar cost and transfer to their name as it’s basically just another lien on the mortgage. Didn’t wind up being a huge deal in the end when I sold since solar was an easy sale in the Phoenix area in a larger home and it cut the electric bill by about 60-70%, but I could definitely agree that it would be a pain and is a bit ridiculous overall, but I guess in the end I agreed to it.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by pickettt

PM sent

Can you please send it my way as well? Curious, would like to take a look. Thanks!

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Can you please send it my way as well? Curious, would like to take a look. Thanks!

Sent

[Duey]

Here's a great site - https://unboundsolar.com/solar-panels

I haven't research this one yet - https://www.renogy.com/
( thanks pickettt for this one )

[DLRIDES]

Solar feasibility is very dependent on location and $kwh. I recently designed and built a new house, and seriously investigated solar ...................... 18-20 year ROI ! When that becomes 5-7 years, I’ll consider it again.

[amg55]

Start by noting down from your meter what you use during the day and after he sun goes down. 2 number each day for a few days is all you need. You’ll have a fair idea what size system you need. You’ll soon work out that going with a battery solution is too expensive. For example, a 7KwH Tesla pack will last you only an hour if you have central heating going at night.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by amg55

Start by noting down from your meter what you use during the day and after he sun goes down. 2 number each day for a few days is all you need. You’ll have a fair idea what size system you need. You’ll soon work out that going with a battery solution is too expensive. For example, a 7KwH Tesla pack will last you only an hour if you have central heating going at night.

Yes, the shortcoming of my system is HVAC. Luckily, being in CA, I never use the heater. When it comes to A/C, however, I have to lean on the grid a little bit.

[Jim Smyth]

I am in Central Florida and had a 10KW system installed by a local Solar Contractor. 37 panels with 2 Sunny Boy Inverters. Just me and my wife and we use on average 1000 kwh a month of electricity. I have had the system for almost a year now and havent paid anything on electricity once it was turned on. Bank it up in the spring and summer and use the excess over the winter. We still watch usage and try to be smart.

I had $150 bill every month before we put the system in. Also last year there was a 30% tax credit, direct dollar for dollar tax write off. So I saved 1/3 right up front. We have a 16 year break even point. We had the money before I retired and figured it would be better to pay up front and have cheaper living in retirement. No regrets, love watching the meter run backwards.

[TNT009]

Just got on the waiting list for the Tesla solar and battery pack.. the gas/electric company cut my power off twice in the last 10 days.. crazy!

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Solar feasibility is very dependent on location and $kwh. I recently designed and built a new house, and seriously investigated solar ...................... 18-20 year ROI ! When that becomes 5-7 years, I’ll consider it again.

Agree with this.

[singe89]

I forget the exact size of the system but we got one for 120% of our electricity usage. Our break even was a little over 5 years with the tax credit. If we ran the pool pumps and all 3 central AC units we could get well over $1k a month and now it’s $0. Well worth it in sunny SoCal.

[MrGoat]

I looked into it (a company that came to my door) and they wouldn’t let me pay it all up front. It had to be financed. The finance charge was higher than my power bill and it was for 30 yrs. I told them to kick rocks and am happy to pay the $200 a month for consistent power. If it goes off we have the generator to cover till the power comes back. When it becomes more accessible I will look at it more in depth. I am also very apprehensive about unnecessary holes being placed in my roof.


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[chieftd]

I live in Hawaii and had solar panels installed in 2012, by local company on Oahu. We installed 27 panels ($38K) and our house is full electric with central AC. After dollar for dollar tax credits from state and federal government our end expense for the whole system was $13K. Based on our previous average $350 monthly electric bills, the amount we saved each month paid off the $13K in a little over 4 years. We sell energy back to the grid and get paid a very good rate, very close to what we are charged by HECO.

This year my total electric bill from Jan to Dec 2020 was just $210. We killed it in energy production for a couple of months. The sold back energy is then added to our monthly account as dollar credits. Those credits offset the rest of the year’s usage. I was paying basically an administration fee between $12 and $26 per month all year long.

Now that has not happened every year, but the solar panels have been an enormous savings for our home bills. Well worth the investment.

All that said, they do require maintenance and annual cleaning. I have replaced micro invertors on 6 panels, under warranty, but overall the system has been working great.

Good luck.

Regards, Tim

[ttomczak]

I’m putting in a system in the next two weeks, 25 panels, (LG and micro inverters). Should run about 117% of average. With credits and rebates, it will be about 14k and monthly bills will be about 70-100 bucks. Much less than the 140k average. I looked at batteries, and don’t think they are at a good price point yet, I can put a natural gas generator in for a 1/3 the cost of an equivalent battery system.