Getting solar at the house

[tmleadr03]

What time of day was the top picture taken?

All pics were taken either at 7 in the morning or 7 at night or later. I am at work when the sun actually hits the roof.

[Gman]

If you have to replace your roofing, will they come out and remove the panels and reinstall them under the lease without extra expense to you?

ETA: Found the answer; http://www.solarcity.com/learn/solar-faqs.aspx#a15

What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?


Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition. When a SolarCity site auditor comes out to inspect your building prior to installation, he or she will check to make sure that your roof is suitable for a solar installation. Once the solar panels are installed, they actually help to protect your roof from the elements. If you should ever need to make repairs on the roof, the solar panels will need to be removed and re-installed. SolarCity offers this service for a reasonable fee.

So...hypothetically speaking, let's say there's a hail storm and 2/3 of your roof not covered by panels is damaged. Sounds like another expense.

After the panels have degraded and they are finally paid for, you're stuck with them? No upgrades and another lease contract?

[tmleadr03]

If you have to replace your roofing, will they come out and remove the panels and reinstall them under the lease without extra expense to you?

ETA: Found the answer; http://www.solarcity.com/learn/solar-faqs.aspx#a15



So...hypothetically speaking, let's say there's a hail storm and 2/3 of your roof not covered by panels is damaged. Sounds like another expense.

After the panels have degraded and they are finally paid for, you're stuck with them? No upgrades and another lease contract?

If you buy a house do you get stuck with it after you pay it off? How about a car? You don't pay off a car and just get an upgrade. You want something new and upgraded you have to buy one. You want newer panels you have to buy them.

[roberth]

The problem with solar and wind is that it isn't driven by market forces. Solar and wind are driven by the government using command economy forces, solar and wind are false economies. If wind and solar were as efficient and clean as fossil fuels we'd be on them already.

I don't think venture capitalsts see any future in wind or solar, that is why the government is driving the R&D and implementation through massive tax rebates and payouts and such.

[rockhound]

the reason they are not feasible is due to the high costs of the system, until recently you had to shell out the thoudsands up front, solar city and companies like them are changing the game at least on that front.

[tmleadr03]

the reason they are not feasible is due to the high costs of the system, until recently you had to shell out the thoudsands up front, solar city and companies like them are changing the game at least on that front.

Exactly, and even so I played with the numbers and it would have made as much sense to go with paying up front if I had the funds right now.

[Gman]

the reason they are not feasible is due to the high costs of the system, until recently you had to shell out the thoudsands up front, solar city and companies like them are changing the game at least on that front.

Exactly, and that's why their business model isn't repeatable. They make out on this deal. They get the subsidies on the front end which dramatically lower their capital expenses to make you their customer. Then they've got you on the hook paying them over time. Even if it's less than what you pay Excel, they were getting nothing before you were paying them for your electricity. Then when the panels have degraded and the warranties expire, the point at which everything is "paid for" and it's all "free" for you, they leave the scene. Any repairs or replacements come directly out of your pocket. Even disposal and repair of your roof comes out of your pocket.

If it made economic sense, everyone would be using it. Even the subsidy programs are creating huge deficits beyond those expenses already planned. I can't justify this mess.

[tmleadr03]

Exactly, and that's why their business model isn't repeatable. They make out on this deal. They get the subsidies on the front end which dramatically lower their capital expenses to make you their customer. Then they've got you on the hook paying them over time. Even if it's less than what you pay Excel, they were getting nothing before you were paying them for your electricity. Then when the panels have degraded and the warranties expire, the point at which everything is "paid for" and it's all "free" for you, they leave the scene. Any repairs or replacements come directly out of your pocket. Even disposal and repair of your roof comes out of your pocket.

If it made economic sense, everyone would be using it. Even the subsidy programs are creating huge deficits beyond those expenses already planned. I can't justify this mess.

Actually if there is an issue with the panels I don't have to pay for it. Warranty. It is a wonderful thing.

ETA: You seem to have an unreasonable expectation of what someone should get with this product. If you bought a car, at the end of a five year loan payment would you expect them to automaticly upgrade you to another vehicle? Would you expect them to warranty the car forever?

Better yet, when you buy a house new do you get a warranty on it for the life of the loan? What kind of crazy talk is this?

[davsel]

I recently noticed all the new base housing on Peterson have shiny new panels on their roofs.
Then I found this:

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/13/IRS-and-TREASURY-INVESTIGATE-OBAMAS-SOLARCITY

[gnihcraes]

You can have the system removed upgraded or continue on with new contract.

Sell the house, the next owner gets the contract, it goes with the house apparently.