View Full Version : Getting solar at the house
gnihcraes
01-03-2014, 22:13
Attic upgrades have been completed today. I'll contact the solar provider and see if their engineers approve for more panels.
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I keep sitting on the fence with Solar - whether to do it, and if so whether to go direct buy or one of the lease-type options. Every time this thread gets refreshed, I am a bit more annoyed I didn't just do it 2 years ago when I looked at it the first time.
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 10:55
I keep sitting on the fence with Solar - whether to do it, and if so whether to go direct buy or one of the lease-type options. Every time this thread gets refreshed, I am a bit more annoyed I didn't just do it 2 years ago when I looked at it the first time.
Sorry. :) I'll quit bumping the thread once I've got everything I desire and no more information to share.
My small system is up and running, just got notice that I start paying Solar City this month. $20 a month and it's saving me more than that.
If I really had the extra cash at this time, I would probably just purchase my own system vs lease. Catch 22, do I purchase a system and then burden all the costs of maintenance or lease from someone else who takes care of everything. (if there is anything to do)
Just waiting to see if I can get the bigger system now.
I hope it didn't come off like I was annoyed at you. I've really enjoyed this thread and hope you continue to post, even after you're up and running. I just am annoyed at myself that I didn't do it 2 years ago as the incentives have started to expire...
I'm leaning towards buying my own equipment. Prices are pushing down around $1 a watt, including inverters and mounting hardware. I have a friend in the industry that is convinced we'll see $.50 a watt in the next year. At that point, if I do the install myself, equipment should pay for itself in 3-4 years.
rockhound
01-04-2014, 12:32
just out of curiosity who designed the upgrades to your joists? did you have a truss company engineer that system?
I think he used NFATrussguy.
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 13:16
I think he used NFATrussguy.
Now that is funny.
I/they being contractors I used for other framing work came up with the added support. No specific engineering done.
Just adding support where solar city said it was lacking and we knew it was lacking. Well see what they say.
Only $300 in materials and about 10 hours of work. Lots of glue and nails. :)
I think he used NFATrussguy.
Hahaha nice.
Walker2970
01-04-2014, 13:45
Nice thing with Solar is you can use it for hot water too
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 14:54
I hope it didn't come off like I was annoyed at you. I've really enjoyed this thread and hope you continue to post, even after you're up and running. I just am annoyed at myself that I didn't do it 2 years ago as the incentives have started to expire...
Nope, no annoyance. You can still pick up a solar system! Just no kickbacks, yet I didn't get any either, the solar company keeps all that stuff. Part of the deal.
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 14:56
Nice thing with Solar is you can use it for hot water too
These systems we're discussing are electric only, I've not looked into a water heating system. I've considered making a small water system just for SHTF, plenty of parts on craigslist usually. Just make a small system to give you some luke warm water, nothing for serious heating.
Kelly I have a small expansion tank you can have if you want. Otherwise it is getting turned into a tent stove of some sort.
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 17:16
Kelly I have a small expansion tank you can have if you want. Otherwise it is getting turned into a tent stove of some sort.
I have plenty of projects, as it appears you do too. It would better serve as a tent stove for you. :) Thanks for the offer though!
As I think about it, that might be about the right size for a stove.
bigun1962
01-04-2014, 17:28
Love my panels and battery backup. Can bo on or off the grid now. Very happy.
gnihcraes
01-04-2014, 17:40
Love my panels and battery backup. Can bo on or off the grid now. Very happy.
I'll build something sometime to just run small items, LED lighting or something. Just enough for emergencies.
Unable to do anything with the solar city setup, unless I do some hot wiring.
Wranglerstar or engineer557 has a great video on building a solar set-up. I think the cost was $200, not including the panel. Pretty sure it was Wranglerstar.
The added supports came out nicely!
gnihcraes
01-05-2014, 22:27
The added supports came out nicely!
I think so, just waiting on the bill from the contractor. haha [panic]
Power play: Utilities want solar users to pay up (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/power-play-utilities-want-solar-users-pay-2D11887782?ocid=msnhp&pos=1)
According to a policy paper from the Edison Electric Institute, (http://www.eei.org/issuesandpolicy/generation/NetMetering/Documents/Straight%20Talk%20About%20Net%20Metering.pdf) a trade association, solar users avoid paying for the system's fixed costs but still take power from the grid when they need it, such as after sunset, when solar panels aren't generating. (Most solar users don't have solar storage capacity, the paper states.)
The solar industry seems willing to accept some changes but stops at what it sees as the utilities' exorbitant price proposals.
"Solar customers give much more valuable peak power to utilities for free during the day than they get back at night," said John Berger, CEO and founder of solar energy provider Sunnova. (http://sunnova.com/solar-service/) "Utilities are like socialist monopolies.They don't provide good service or pricing."
Utility companies are having some success getting net metering rules changed.
In California, the No. 1 solar state in panels installed, lawmakers let net metering continue but directed its public utility commission to devise a new program by 2017 to ensure that nonsolar customers aren't burdened unfairly in paying for the grid.
In Arizona, regulators voted in November to allow the largest utility to tack a monthly fee of $5 onto the bill of customers with new solar installations. Arizona Public Service originally sought a $50 surcharge.
Colorado's utility commission is considering a proposal to halve credits for solar energy households. Other states, including Louisiana and Idaho, are also contemplating changes in net metering rates.
I heard a debate between an Xcell guy and a solar guy on NPR a few weeks ago. I've never heard more bullshit than I have from the Xcell guy.
gnihcraes
01-09-2014, 20:29
Yep, saw that today. Whatever. Can't get ahead in this world anyways, make a dollar, someone takes a dollar and a half.
tmleadr03
01-11-2014, 09:56
So the solar system is up and running. I am now in my 4th month of solar power. I have done 321, 364, 251 kWh respectively for the last three months. And we are in the worst part of the year for solar power.
They just got around to sending me my bill. 41.68 a month. Considering that this system was set up for power usage with my wife working from home and that is no longer happening I should be rolling over quite a few kWh. I expect by the end of this year I will be covering my gas and electric bill with that one payment vs twice that for both from xcel.
tmleadr03
01-11-2014, 09:58
Power play: Utilities want solar users to pay up (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/power-play-utilities-want-solar-users-pay-2D11887782?ocid=msnhp&pos=1)
More and more I want to change my system to a battery charging system.
I think with a few mods I can do so...
gnihcraes
02-05-2014, 21:56
Status Update: after upgrades to my structure, solar city is still working with their engineers to decide if it's enough. Been a couple weeks now. A bit frustrating.
Will Solar City last much longer, without more government help? Does this make any of you who already have Solar City units that getting service in the future may be iffy?This sounds like more proof that without the government propping them up, they are doomed to fail. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/20/solarcity-166-million-in-red-after-losing-55-million-in-2013/
Wish we could afford it. The back side of our house faces dead SE and would probably be a perfect house for it.
hghclsswhitetrsh
03-20-2014, 13:46
Power play: Utilities want solar users to pay up (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/power-play-utilities-want-solar-users-pay-2D11887782?ocid=msnhp&pos=1)
Interesting view from both sides. Technically you're still using the local power companies infrastructure on down sunny times and to sell it back but not paying for it. The power companies sell the electricity and have the use/wear/tear built into the cost. Until you can cut your power lines off at the pole at the street, you still owe em money. IMO.
I'm still on the fence. Seems like a good option short term, but I'm definitely concerned about the landscape a few years out... every 6mo I wait, the incentives get less however.
If either of these companies offered a hybrid system with battery backup, I'd jump on it right away though.
sportbikeco
03-20-2014, 16:45
What is the lifespan of the system?
gnihcraes
03-20-2014, 20:14
Lifespan should be 20 years, possibly more. Non Battery system. Inverter is the piece that would go out. Panels will degrade over time.
Solar City update: After upgrading the structure in my attice, Solar City engineers still complain and won't add more panels to the older part of my house. O'well. I'm still working with them to give me the "details" of what is wrong. The lady told me over the phone, but I was driving and couldn't write it down.
Output: now that the sunny and longer days are here, I'm seeing some output! Highest yet is 14.75 kWh for the day. Today's was 13.52kWh. It's generating about half of what we use each day.
Overall I'm paying Solar City $20 month and it's saving $20 off the Xcel bill. Just wish I could get more panels and generate more than my usage each day.
Talked to a door to door "sales" rep today. He seemed clueless, I got more info from this thread and my buddy than he was able to give me.
gnihcraes
04-23-2014, 22:23
Talked to a door to door "sales" rep today. He seemed clueless, I got more info from this thread and my buddy than he was able to give me.
interesting, my parents were hit up by some door-door salesman, claims he's with Xcel energy too. I really don't know if Xcel has their own folks for Solar?
Good: I can give an update to my system: Peak so far has been 18kWhr on one day recently.
Bad: Solar City sucks if you're trying to work with them on something. Once installed, they really don't seem to have any interest in you as a customer. I'm still fighting with them about putting a larger system on the house. There seems to be an engineering issue, they say something doesn't exist on my house structure when it actually does. (load bearing wall) So I'm trying to get someone to discuss this issue and hopefully correct them. :)
tmleadr03
05-03-2014, 11:40
Sigh. XCel sucks. No really. It sucks. Bad.
When the meter spins backwards I am supposed to get a credit. Nope, no credits issued. Just no bill (except for the 8 dollar maintenance charge you cant get rid of). What my plan was, since they sell you the electricity at retail and buy it at whole sale but will give you a one for one credit on usage is to "bank" the credits and eventually by the end of the year not have any bill at all. With this system built based on someone working from home I figured it would by the end of summer be giving me enough credits to cover my gas bill as well. Especially since there isn't anyone working from home here anymore. But XCel sucks.
Solar City salesman came by the house yesterday and left a hanger on the door. It was cross-branded with Xcel.
SolarCity will install a solar system on your home for *free. You simply pay for your clean solar power by the month - just like your utility bill - only lower. You save money month after month for years to come!
*No Cost solar system available to qualified Xcel Energy customers only.
The back of the hanger says;
SolarCity - The #1 provider of residential solar power in the U.S.A. will custom design and install a 'state of the art' solar power system at absolutely ZERO cost to homeowners.
$0 - equipment cost $0 - installation $0 - maintenance cost
You do not purchase or lease any equipment!
The solar power from your own roof can replace most of the electricity you now receive from Xcel, and dramatically lower your utility bill.
If your home qualifies, I can set up a free, no obligation site survey to determine how the system would be installed on your home, and exactly how much you will save on utilities. I am your local representative. Contact me anytime.
gnihcraes
05-03-2014, 23:11
Just 20 years based on your average energy use, and a 2.9% markup each year. Not really "free".
You'll still be paying the $70 per month rate to solar city if you use Zero energy for that month, like a long vacation.
:)
I'm still in a fight with them about putting on the larger system to my house. They finally responded with the "comments" of my 2nd engineering review of the house:
" You do not have a load bearing wall. "
Huh? I think someone missed something here during the inspections. There is a load bearing wall, steel I beams, posts. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.
Update: I have produced 20.27 kWhr on a single day. My high so far. Looks like the average is 10-15 kWhr on the sunny days.
PugnacAutMortem
05-06-2014, 11:17
So we are buying a house that currently has Solarcity panels installed and we are taking over the lease. Since I didn't have the benefit of speaking to them during the installation nor being there during the installation...is there anything that I should look for when we do the inspection?
Also, the ability to store the power and use it later intrigues me greatly. Is that something that you can do without a masters in electrical engineering nor without voiding warranties?
gnihcraes
05-06-2014, 22:30
Solar city doesn't have a battery storage solution that I know of. You'd have to contact them to find out.
As for an inspection, I would think you could have solar city come out and give you a report on the system. Maybe not? Call their 800 number and find out. Maybe the current owner can have them come out?
Regular inspection should give you the best information - does the system look ok, is it still attached properly to the house, any signs of water leaking or damage. The inverter on the house should show a xxx wattage output during the day, see what it's output is. Good sunny day it should be producing 1500-6000 watts depending on size/panels.
Too many pages to recheck.
What are peoples experiences with HOA's and these? I know my new house is in a fairly aggressive HOA neighborhood. Lots of rules for visible structures in back yard etc.
I don't think an HOA can restrict you on solar panels. However, that's just off hearsay.
hghclsswhitetrsh
05-15-2014, 18:08
Too many pages to recheck.
What are peoples experiences with HOA's and these? I know my new house is in a fairly aggressive HOA neighborhood. Lots of rules for visible structures in back yard etc.
Nope no hoa rules can restrict solar panels.
hghclsswhitetrsh
05-15-2014, 18:09
Delete
Solar city doesn't have a battery storage solution that I know of. You'd have to contact them to find out.
They have a system manufactured by Tesla, but not in this market.
Sent from my electronic leash.
tmleadr03
06-03-2014, 06:40
Does anyone know where I can find my electricity credits on my XCell bill? I know I am rolling back the meter but can not for the life of me see anything on my bill reflecting that.
Great-Kazoo
06-03-2014, 07:47
Does anyone know where I can find my electricity credits on my XCell bill? I know I am rolling back the meter but can not for the life of me see anything on my bill reflecting that.
Give the billing dept a call. Probably the dept who was made aware of the solar install, never notified the dept who credits you for it. Not the first time a billing dept, had no clue.
Maybe Xcel is just trying to get ahead of the curve. I saw a story on the news the other day where they want to reduce the amount they pay for rooftop solar, so they can finance their large scale solar farms and sell us sunlight...
rockhound
08-26-2014, 10:54
any feedback on the way the systems are operating?
we are considering a solar install, but we need a significant system.
any feedback on the way the systems are operating?
we are considering a solar install, but we need a significant system.
All this rain has been putting a damper on solar production this summer. We've been over 1000kwh per month since April with a high of 1247 kwh in June (9.6KW system). I think it's been producing pretty well despite the plethora of cloudy days. It took us a while to get our meter back in the negative zone (just two weeks ago). Solar City monitors the systems and if there is a communication issue, they typically send someone over within a couple of days to get the issues resolved. It's been just over a year and we're happy with the system.
rockhound
08-26-2014, 17:07
All this rain has been putting a damper on solar production this summer. We've been over 1000kwh per month since April with a high of 1247 kwh in June (9.6KW system). I think it's been producing pretty well despite the plethora of cloudy days. It took us a while to get our meter back in the negative zone (just two weeks ago). Solar City monitors the systems and if there is a communication issue, they typically send someone over within a couple of days to get the issues resolved. It's been just over a year and we're happy with the system.
how does your power company handle the deficit? do they send you a bill when you are short? or just bank the meter until the end of the year?
we are looking at a 62 panel system.
tmleadr03
08-26-2014, 19:05
XCel charges a minimum to handle the paperwork for the house. I have been showing the minimum for months now. I produced over 600 from Mar to Jun. 538 last month. If I could remember my log in info for xcel I would check that right now for you but I have to call tomorrow.
We only pay ~$8 connection fee per month for electricity since you draw from them during the night.
We had to pay for when the December bill came around because we were using more energy than we produced in Nov/Dec. Then we had to pay for the excess that we used through about March because the panels were covered in snow a lot during the winter. Since then, we've been producing more than we've used every month in the summer. The "zero" on the meter is when they actually connected the system, so it went positive in the wintertime and finally hit zero and is in the negative just recently. Whatever excess we produce this year gets credited toward the December bill. *I think* There were two different ways to set it up with Xcel, and that was to do it the way we're doing it, or to roll the credit's over I believe. I'll have to look into it more to see how it really works with Xcel, but we paid Solar City up front so we don't pay them a monthly fee on top of everything.
gnihcraes
08-27-2014, 20:17
Solar City here.
3.5kwh system (ugh)
max produced 21kwh in a day. (that i've seen) i've got a tree in the way too, so i'll trim that sucker up again and should get more out of it.
297kwh this month so far.
Producing about 1/2 of our daily useage. It saves me $25 and I pay $25 to solar city. (i think, gotta look at the Xcel bills again to see)
All is good.
(one half shown)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RuXp6B-sPd9B2yAFH5GPocr99HwJR4HMA5Men2tagA8=w293-h219-p-no
New out of the box. Aren't they shiny? Haven't been turned on yet, waiting for the final inspections.
I am doing the New Program with Solar city where you finance the panels and you get the tax credit now instead of renting them and solar city gets the credit. I REALLY need the credit this year.
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gnihcraes
12-16-2014, 18:45
looks good. How big of a system is it?
Rooskibar03
12-16-2014, 18:57
What kind of payment you looking at financing it?
New out of the box. Aren't they shiny? Haven't been turned on yet, waiting for the final inspections.
I am doing the New Program with Solar city where you finance the panels and you get the tax credit now instead of renting them and solar city gets the credit. I REALLY need the credit this year.
53773
7.650 KW system
The loan is tacked onto the KWh rate.
.127691 per KWh for first year locked in.
I will take my tax credit and give to Solar City ($9000) and the rate will drop to .09216.
Rooskibar03
12-16-2014, 20:07
7.650 KW system
The loan is tacked onto the KWh rate.
.127691 per KWh for first year locked in.
I will take my tax credit and give to Solar City ($9000) and the rate will drop to .09216.
so @ the .127691 Id be paying them what I pay electric company but could see a tax advantage. Hmmmm might have to make a call but with all the trees on our property it may not make sense.
gnihcraes
12-16-2014, 20:14
If any of you look into solar city, let one of us know so we can give you our name as a referral. $ into our pockets for more toys if you sign up!
If any of you look into solar city, let one of us know so we can give you our name as a referral. $ into our pockets for more toys if you sign up!
Yeah this.
I figured I will be paying a little bit less for electricity. However, the advantage is when you get your rebate to turn around and pay down the investment in the system, I then get a big decrease in mt electric cost.
so @ the .127691 Id be paying them what I pay electric company but could see a tax advantage. Hmmmm might have to make a call but with all the trees on our property it may not make sense.
Yeah, when you call them; the design folks share their desktop with you and use a faux-3d google earth thing and basically calculate what you can get out of the system based on where the roof faces and trees in the area, etc. This program I went with they just started a month ago, where you technically are the owner of the system, but because you are financing it "through them" you get the 20 year production guarantee and all that as if you were leasing the system.
Is the system called EagleView?
Is the system called EagleView?
I am doing the Solar City "MyPower" program.
http://www.solarcity.com/residential/mypower-solar-loan
No I meant the system where they show satellite photos. Sorry, completely unrelated. Carry on.
No I meant the system where they show satellite photos. Sorry, completely unrelated. Carry on.
You know I think that is what it was called.
Solar City here.
3.5kwh system (ugh)
max produced 21kwh in a day. (that i've seen) i've got a tree in the way too, so i'll trim that sucker up again and should get more out of it.
297kwh this month so far.
Producing about 1/2 of our daily useage. It saves me $25 and I pay $25 to solar city. (i think, gotta look at the Xcel bills again to see)
All is good.
(one half shown)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RuXp6B-sPd9B2yAFH5GPocr99HwJR4HMA5Men2tagA8=w293-h219-p-no
Did you take this pic off the "gallery page"? ;-) LOL
gnihcraes
12-19-2014, 16:11
Nope
For those with a solar system, is it mentioned on your monthly bill from Xcel? I thought it would be but there isn't anything on our bill so now I'm wondering if everything got setup right since we bought the house with the system already installed by the previous owner.
If someone wanted to go off grid with some creativity... a storage system that works more efficiently than batteries (and with better longevity) is pumps + gravity. Pump water somewhere higher, have a generator on the output. Some high end power systems use this technique, never heard of it in residential but someone should be the guinea pig if they have the right circumstances. Some have done it with air too but it has serious complications with temperature differentials. Basically your "battery" capacity is your water storage potential, and it doesn't fade.... power stored in July would be available in December without any degradation.
Most of you suburbia's can already cross this off the map though, I don't see this working in a neighborhood.
It's a shame that this country has become so turned off to hydro-electric generation (We must stop it...for the fish.) In Europe, this method is used with wind power. When the wind is blowing, use the electricity generated to pump water up into a reservoir where it is stored until it's actually needed. Wind is inconsistent where hydro has that potential energy stored until it's needed. The scale needed for this is much larger than at the residential level.
KevDen2005
03-03-2015, 11:21
I am thinking of getting Solar at my house in Brighton. Any issues with the system and would you recommend the company?
gnihcraes
03-03-2015, 16:36
No particular issue, I'm with Solar City. I've got issues with my house being so old and their engineering/liability hesitations. But that's because of my house. :)
Solar system is running well, My wife mentioned something about us owing solar city a $ or something because the system over produced according to the contract. But i'll have to re-check on that.
2014 my system produced:
3,214.8 kWh
If you need a referral or need to know more, PM me and I can add you to my Solar City referral/profile/sales info. no catch from me anyways. Free quotes from SC.
My neighbor drives a Namaste solar truck, but he seems young so I've never talked to him about it.
gnihcraes
03-03-2015, 17:33
My neighbor drives a Namaste solar truck, but he seems young so I've never talked to him about it.
Guys were pretty young that did my install.
KevDen2005
03-03-2015, 18:04
My hang up is that I have United Power, so I have limited options compared to XCEl. I have to different purchase options for the panels, but I am required to buy them because of United Power.
Guys were pretty young that did my install.
Let me rephrase. He had to jump start his car one morning, so he sold it and bought something else.
gnihcraes
03-03-2015, 20:07
Let me rephrase. He had to jump start his car one morning, so he sold it and bought something else.
Seems about normal for the younger crowd. :)
gnihcraes
03-03-2015, 20:07
My hang up is that I have United Power, so I have limited options compared to XCEl. I have to different purchase options for the panels, but I am required to buy them because of United Power.
Interesting. I wonder what the people like solar city do about that? I'll ask my rep and get back to ya.
My hang up is that I have United Power, so I have limited options compared to XCEl. I have to different purchase options for the panels, but I am required to buy them because of United Power.
The local power company can tell you that you HAVE to buy the panels? I'm interested to hear more about how they can do that. Sounds like a raw deal.
KevDen2005
03-03-2015, 23:10
The difference is United Power does not allow for third party ownership of the panels They are forcing you to buy them per se, but they are requiring you to purchase them and own them if you choose to get Solar. XCEL does not require that. This is the info I got from Solar City.
I guess since they are controlling the grid, they have a say as to how power gets added to it. It sounds like that is their way of ensuring that home owners who want solar power have some skin in the game.
I'm still wondering why there are not disconnection switches in our market yet.
gnihcraes
03-04-2015, 22:15
My solar city rep says they work with United Power, but she didn't answer my question about unique requirements. If you'd like to chat with her, let me know and I'll PM her email address.
rockhound
03-05-2015, 08:09
there are companies that sell you the panels for no money down
solar mart maybe?
Not "new" news but I'm excited to hopefully see details on the 30th. 10kWh battery pack...
http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/22/technology/tesla-home-battery/index.html
Just something I learned today. I am with Solar City. Almost the day after the panels were installed, pigeons took up residence. I did research on various barriers, and decided to call Solar City to see if any of the solutions would void the warranty.
They told me they would have a local Pigeon abatement company come out and solve the problem.
For free.
I'm also excited to see the home battery solution from Tesla. Hopefully one day I can have that done.
Has anyone on the board done a grid-tied system that was a straight purchase? That's the direction I'm currently leaning based on my situation. Solar City was not exactly supportive of this option, seems like they went out of their way to show me how it was a bad idea using "creative" financial projections. I'm planning to reach out and talk to some of the other local installers not quite as famous for the lease option to see what it looks like. I think I'll start with Namaste as they seem to be a pretty well-regarded local company. Looking for other suggestions though.
Has anyone on the board done a grid-tied system that was a straight purchase? That's the direction I'm currently leaning based on my situation. Solar City was not exactly supportive of this option, seems like they went out of their way to show me how it was a bad idea using "creative" financial projections. I'm planning to reach out and talk to some of the other local installers not quite as famous for the lease option to see what it looks like. I think I'll start with Namaste as they seem to be a pretty well-regarded local company. Looking for other suggestions though.
I purchased (financed) my system through Solar city. I'm not leasing. Did they give you their schpiel on the "Mypower" option?
Downside of those solar panel leases\
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2015/03/downside_of_those_solar_panel_leases.html
I purchased (financed) my system through Solar city. I'm not leasing. Did they give you their schpiel on the "Mypower" option?
When I talked to them last, they didn't offer that option. I'm planning on giving them another shot after I talk to some other installers, but I was not impressed by the "comparison" options they gave me. They had artificially tweaked the numbers to make a purchase option look like it wouldn't provide me any financial benefit for 15 years, vs. their lease which of course paid for itself in 6years. A good portion of that involved taking the entire system cost before any rebates/incentives and dividing it into a kWh price and comparing that to the PPA price that I would pay under contract (not taking into account the initial payments involved). It could have been that I had a bad sales guy, but the numbers were definitely cooked in a way I didn't feel comfortable with.
Firehaus
04-23-2015, 15:52
My dad just installed a system on his house by himself that hooks to the grid. He's been pretty happy with almost no electric bill.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My dad just installed a system on his house by himself that hooks to the grid. He's been pretty happy with almost no electric bill.
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What's his hourly rate? ;)
I'm sure I could handle the technical and design work, but there's no way I'd feel comfortable walking around on my roof. With the walkout basement, it's a long way down on the side I'd be putting the panels on. LOL.
Firehaus
04-23-2015, 16:26
It was a pretty plug and play system he bought. You log into a website to see your output.
Only issue was the city made him hire a licensed electrician to hook it up at the meter.
He lives in Kansas.
Sounds like you'll want at least a good harness strapped to something just in case. ;)
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Spoke to Namaste today. One thing that surprised me... apparently the cement tile roof we have is a big issue, to the tune of approx $4-5k of additional subcontracted work. They pull out the tiles, penetrate the roof and re-double-flash the mounting pegs, and then reinstall the tiles. The sales rep said they would be glad to work with any other roofer if I wanted to handle it that way, but thought it was a good number to use as ballpark. He was surprised that Solar City had even given us a quote, as he thought they didn't do work on cement tile roofs.
The initial numbers were high as they were SunPower panels, etc. but I did feel like it had a lot less weird sales/manipulation going on with the numbers compared to some other quotes we've run in the past. They seem like a solid, honest shop from the brief visit I had.
Hit up TriggerHappy's roofer thread and get an opinion of a roofer you trust.
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