View Single Post
Rick Lee Rick Lee is online now
Registered
 
Rick Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Cave Creek, AZ USA
Posts: 44,747
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by tadink View Post
The no money down thing is very attractive, but you are giving up some benefits that might not be apparent.

If you have the cash, you are far better off to purchase....that way you are not paying interest on the money, and you have ZERO payments. The 'lower' monthly payment is still advantage SolarCity.
What? I pay $85 a month for 20 yrs. In 15 yrs. I'll still be paying $85 a month, which will be about $50 in today's dollars. If I had paid cash for the whole set up, it would take me about 15 yrs. to break even AND I'd be on the hook for all repairs and maint. PV panels don't last forever; they degrade. My electric bill was $60 last month, but it's $20ish when the a/c isn't running. If I hadn't gotten a $500 rebate check for the install, it'd be a total wash. The only real benefit of solar is that the rate is locked for 20 yrs., while APS's rates go up every year. It's a total false economy and would be insane if not for the gov't. subsidies, which I also think are insane. It's just that, as a taxpayer, I want to get whatever I can back that they steal from me.
__________________
2022 BMW 530i
2021 MB GLA250
2020 BMW R1250GS
Old 09-28-2013, 06:20 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #14 (permalink)