NFT: Anyone Have Solar Installed At Home?

other than they came door to door in MA making a strong push for solar - they even had option of $0 cost to me if I let them sell some of my energy.

I stopped listening when I read that installation of the solar panels voids my warranty on my roof. I just literally got a new roof this yer, so it has a 30-year (I believe) warranty. I liked the idea of solar, especially at no cost to me, but didn't want to risk the roof warranty yet.

Maybe in 5 years or so.

it's already paid for itself twice -- we paid the installer to do a sun survey and they - it cost about $200 in 2003 -- with the survey they showed us where our available optimum sun producing space was and they looked at our electricity bills for the prior three years and explained that we only needed to produce about 4KW of power a day -- so they designed a 4KW system -- using about a 5th of our optimum usable space -- they told us they'd write a grant for us that would pay for ½ of the cost of the system --and they'd install and maintain it for us for the first 5 years. They estimated a 7 year payback for us -- and they were 100% correct about it.

We were the first home in our county to install solar - our system turns the meter backwards and we sell the over-production to our supplier.

The first meter reader that read our meter after the installation (with a brand new meter) read our bill as the meter had fully cycled through. We got an electric bill of $100,000 from that reading --- it caused quite a stir -- but we eventually got it straightened out.

Knowing what I know know -- and also we installed two generations of panels ago -- I would have installed the largest possible installation I could afford -- we could have been producing about 20 KW a day -- and collecting $8-10K from the Utility a year- oh well live and learn.

I wish there was a more reputable company I could engage - it seems that all of the "consultants" in this area are in someone's pocket, whether they stand to benefit from what system you install or who monetizes the rebates, so you get widely varying opinions on what you can or should do.

I don't have a lot of property, but it's a seasonal home so there'll be times where I generate more power than I'm using, with net metering should help offset the cost some. Exposure is good, and I can install on the roof in such a way that it won't be too unsightly. Maintenance and repair is a concern for me too, since the roof is 15 years old and I'm expecting to need repairs there sometime in the next 10 years.

-- they were good for us in 2003 --- we have referred many folks to them and they've grown quite big -- I just looked at their website and they are now doing free energy studies -- in the old days we had to pay for them - and then they would deduct it from the bill
Link - ( New Window )

Was not aware of ability to sell power back to power company. That's a huge positive.

even had signed the paperwork. But when the inspectors finally came out they told us our rafters required reinforcing and we just didn't want to fork over the extra cost. Hell, just finding someone in the area who will actually show up and do that is hard enough.

buying vs leasing. Leasing is the more affordable route, but when you lease you don't get to claim a lot of the benefits (like tax bonuses). Instead, the company does.

In comment 12291477 gidiefor said:

Quote:

-- they were good for us in 2003 --- we have referred many folks to them and they've grown quite big -- I just looked at their website and they are now doing free energy studies -- in the old days we had to pay for them - and then they would deduct it from the bill Link - ( New Window )

Thanks gidie, I'll give them a buzz. This place is out on Lawn Guyland, so not sure if they'll head that far out but I'll at least give it a run.

Solar appeals to me because the house will be unoccupied for a lot of the year, and it'd certainly help offset both the cost of the system and help with the offseason heating bills. It's got oil heat now, would love to switch to a heat pump based system that derived at least part of it's power from solar.

email me. I live in Cali, work for a utility and have solar on my house and would be happy to discuss it with you. malyoung@pacbell.net

One of my neigbors got them when they were told that they would save 20 to 30% on their electric bill. They are actually saving 3 to 7%

into solar for my business. After labor, electricity is my highest expenditure. I have 3 acres of vacant parking area that would have served as a "solar ground farm". The panels sit on steel frames on the ground.

If I had been 5 years younger, I would have put it in, but with only 3-4 years left before retirement, it didn't make sense to put in a system with a 7-10 year payback.

If grants are available, the numbers work. Without the grants, it's not economically feasible.

Sounds good. I'll e-mail you over the next week or so. Appreciate the assist.

you have to be careful to understand the bill and what they are saying. There is a difference between the total bill and the portion of the bill that is associated with the power portion used. Most utilities have unbundled their fees to charge separately for things like the meter, reliability, utility lines etc... Many of the unbundled fees are fixed price so you will pay for them regardless if you have solar unless you go off the grid.