Going Solar?

[itsgood1308]

Have any of y’all had home solar power systems installed on your home? We’re in the middle of planning a home addition and we’re half convinced we should use the additional roof space to have a system added.

Are there any companies y’all recommend? Any things you did that you wished you hadn’t? Are y’all seeing real world savings? Have you actually owned the system to the point you broke even?

We just had a guy out that gave our house a look and gave us a quote. He was very low key, didn’t pressure us at all.

[Wits_End]

From my research it makes no sense unless you install it yourself. Or unless you put huge value into going off the grid.

DIY cost for 7kw grid tie system is around $7k with tax credit, no batteries. With efficiency of panels and full sun access your looking at saving $800 a year if you have electric heat. 9 year payback minimum.

Energy companies mostly just charge you net power so you only save what you use. They won't pay you for putting more in grid unless you have a specific plan, but those plans have very high rates. You'll always use more energy than you can produce in the summer and those higher rates will hurt your summer bills.

Other items:
Does insurance go up due to panels on roof.
Looks aren't the best.
To optimize efficiency you'll need adjusting mounts to aim down to winter sun.
A friend said his inverter dies often, company installed system. 12 year warranty on them but that's a hassle.

Have someone else install and it'll be old and need replacement by time it's paid off. Lots of risk in the system over that long time.

[RattlesnakeDan]

Efficiency also drops year by year making it difficult to ever break even and then try to sell your home with that garbage on your roof.

[topshot]

Unless the tax credit was extended, it expired in Jan 2020

[itsgood1308]

I do know the credit was extended, but based on what the math has told me so for is that there’s just no chance or breaking even. Especially on a bid like the one he quoted me.

[SLICK_N_STICKY]

A guy I work with just spent 60K on a solar system. Yes $60K

[itsgood1308]

A guy I work with just spent 60K on a solar system. Yes $60K

Holy crap. Unless he’s running a warehouse I’m not sure there’s a chance for him breaking even within 25 years.

[Wits_End]

Tax credit didn't end, but it was reduced slightly.

[Mike D]

Solar just isn’t efficient enough to justify the cost.


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[Wits_End]

If you install yourself and you use electric heat, you can estimate a 7 year break even. The highest dollar item in the system would have a 12 year warranty so you are covered by that.

If you have a good roof area with light trees, it is worth a look.

I haven't jumped on it yet because i haven't convinced myself the overall risk and hassle is worth $800 a year.

[Rick]

I don't know anything about pros and cons of solar, but I think if it was all it was marketed to be, there would be a lot more than you see around

[flywise]

No way to make the numbers work out