Anybody here using solar power?
 

I have a nearly ideal roof for a solar array. I have to do some more checking, but the financials look good. In 12 years I could be paying next to nothing for electricity. It’s the next to part that worries me. Just how close to zero could I get?
Anybody have any experience with solar systems?

It doesn't make sense for me yet. I got aggressive about conservation and efficiency 5 years ago and my average bill went from $200/mo down to $50/mo.

For an analysis to see if it makes sense for you this might be useful. It compares the economic reality of solar PV to your current situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKeiMWXUkCI&t=3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKeiMWXUkCI&t=3s

Paging Redbeard!

If I could secure a 10+ year lease on my building, I am sure a solar array would pay for itself in as little as 5 years. Huge flat roof completely open to sun the entire day. My E- bill is a low of $250 and up to $600 per month. And that's being frugal with heat and AC.

Hey Cajundaddy, I'm interested to know what did you do and how much you spent to save that much?

I've got a small house on the sunny side of an Alpine mountain valley

Once I've done with my Man Cave UK build I'd like to turn my attention to making my small house extremely economical to run ie lots of insulation, underfloor heating, wood pellet fired boiler, triple glazed windows, solar water heating, solar electric etc

What is your zipcode and your electric rate? Also, do you know if your electric company offers net-metering?

30% tax credit drops to 20%, but I expect this to change back to 30%

45381
$0.02334 (edit - it's $0.053)
Yes to net metering

Got a chance to look at the first video. VERY interesting. One thing it brought up that I had not considered was the structure supporting the roof. A pole barn may not be strong enough to support a bunch of solar panels.

$.023/kwh?!?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that will practically never pay back.

I would say your ROI for any money spent on solar would be much better spent in the stock market in your case.

Really, truly 2 cents per KWH?

You have the room for a ground mount.

If your power is 2 cents per KWH, it will never pay back, even with maximum tax credits and net-metering

It's a little more than that when I add in all the riders - $0.02796

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1576074504.jpg

Is that a monthly bill?

DP&L page says you should be about .055.

You need to add up all of the per kWh charges.

That is just the delivery portion of the total bill. It does not include supply.

https://www.ohenergyratings.com/resources/understanding-your-dayton-power-light-bill

What about those solar shingles?
Supposedly about the same price as conventional shingles.
If needing a new roof anyway, is it a no brainer?
Still some costs in wiring, batteries, etc.. but the major cost is the shingles themselves.

Just had solar panels installed just in time to take advantage of the tax benefit this year. Our ROI is 8 years. We purchased the panels rather than leased.

No, DP&L's example of how to read a bill. My average 2019 bill was $216.