Thinking about going solar

[Evans, Marv]

Nick. My house is 3200 s.f., single story, so around the size yours is. It is also all electric. I haven't paid for electricity since I had it installed. I paid cash for the installation so no monthly payments or interest. I also have a well and run the pump and pressure pump. I'm sure, in the future, the power companies will find a way to make us pay - or pay more just like governments will find a way to make EV drivers pay more in the future. But for the past 5+ years to this point, it's been a good deal.

[Nick Triesch]

Then in 12 years the system will need to be upgraded or more panels installed.

[gregpark]

If you do live in a sunny State, don't have a shady roof, do get the crap charged out of you for electricity, don't plan on moving soon and can pay cash for solar then it's a no brainer at this point. But as we know, things can change. It almost seems too good to be true. I'm driving a car that costs nothing to drive, I can leave my lights on all night in the entire house (if I want to) and know that even if I do move, I'll get my money back because my property value has increased significantly with owner owned solar

[Nick Triesch]

Still a bill for a bill. You just paid your bill off with cash. The dirtbag solar sales guys always say right away how much is your energy bill. When I told them the electric part , he asked what was my entire bill! It’s a bill for a bill if you buy it with cash or monthly or refinance into your home loan. The last one is really dumb because usually there is financing charges. Then really expensive solar.

[Evans, Marv]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

Then in 12 years the system will need to be upgraded or more panels installed.

My monthly average was a decent amount over $300/mo. In the past five years (@$300/mo.) I've saved $18,000 conservatively speaking. So potentially in 12 more years that could be $43K+. I think that would give me a little paddiing to justify an upgrade if I needed it. Of course in that time solar might be even more cheap and efficient.

[Nick Triesch]

Every single person I know who had solar installed tells me about their free energy!!!! Sure. $25-35,000 free!

[gregpark]

Not sure where you live but the estimated cost of electric where I'm at will double in ten years. My solar outlay will be paid off long before.
If you have to finance the system it may not be such an attractive investment and renters are **** of luck. It's expensive to be poor

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

And, there is loss from investment/savings accounts on the $29,000 that should go into the calculation.

and... shading by the panels

and... possible increase in resale value

< 10 yrs is awfully short; if you said < 20 it would be different

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

Every single person I know who had solar installed tells me about their free energy!!!! Sure. $25-35,000 free!

Like when people spend $100K on a new tesla and talk about how much money they save on fuel.

[RWebb]

people like torque - I'm cool with that

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

LOL, OK. Maybe it's just me, but knowing:

• my payback timeframe
• my roof orienation
• my 20 year net payback (both purchase and lease)

All by entering 2 pieces of non-personal information (address and estimated monthly power bill) doesn't seem "useless". But...You do You.

I think they're pulling numbers out of their asses to get you in the door.

I ran it this morning, it showed me $23k net savings. I ran it again just now from a different PC and got $26k

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

All by entering 2 pieces of non-personal information (address and estimated monthly power bill) doesn't seem "useless". But...You do You.

Says the guy who's never heard of data matching.

With just my address, there's now a new row in a table with my name, dob, income, profession, etc with a flag "possibly interested in solar". I'm sure some strings could be pulled and they would know how much my energy bill already was.

But.. You do You.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

Every single person I know who had solar installed tells me about their free energy!!!! Sure. $25-35,000 free!

This. And my experience here in Va is that it is only efficient in the summer, winters are too grey. Panels contributed next to nothing in Jan-Feb when my electric bills were highest (heat pump, another story).

[dmcummins]

So no clear cut yes or no. I’m waiting to talk with a friend of mine that owns a large roofing company. I’m also concerned with the cost of removal and reinstall if needed. My roof was replaced around 10-15 years ago. It’s a concrete tile roof so should last for a while.

There is also currently a older hot water heater up on the roof. It is not currently connected to anything. I’m guessing when the hot water heater was replaced the plumbers didn’t want to hook it back up, or maybe it leaked, who knows. The lady I bought the house from had dementia, didn’t bother to ask her.

[red-beard]

A good calculator which will show you month by month data.

Just put in a zip code for address. This is not a commercial site.

https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by greglepore

This. And my experience here in Va is that it is only efficient in the summer, winters are too grey. Panels contributed next to nothing in Jan-Feb when my electric bills were highest (heat pump, another story).

I should be in a better location here in SW Florida. And the back of my house faces south.

Im mainly looking at this as a investment, if it doesn’t pay off I’ll pass.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by red-beard

A good calculator which will show you month by month data.

Just put in a zip code for address. This is not a commercial site.

https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/

Avg solar radiation is 5.85.

According to that site I would need about a 15 kw system to produce what I use in a year.

Thanks.

[cgarr]

I looked into it since I was using so much power, had to update old appliances, etc to get within the range of an affordable system. By the time I got done with improvements my usage was so low I didn't even need a solar system.

[hcoles]

I expect this calculator will be more likely to be not biased.
https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
Keep in mind your labor for maintenance and repair.

[hcoles]

If you use the Nrel calculator it will give a summary in dollars of the electricity used.
In my case I save about $1,000 per year. This will be against the cost of the system of say $10k.
Simple payback is ~10 years.