Getting solar at the house

[spqrzilla]

I like how people complain about tax breaks and subsidies for wind and solar but not about tax breaks and subsidies for oil, gas and coal. Or oil companies lobbying Congress to allow an exemption to the crude oil export limit set forth after the Arab embargo in the 70's so they can export more domestic crude.

An exemption to an export limit is a tax break or subsidy? WTF?

[bigun1962]

Mine is installed 7/18. Looking forward to the backup power made by the sun.

[tmleadr03]

Not on yet but tomorrow the switch will be thrown. One more inspection by the xcell people.

[Gman]

A home appreciates. My car has a warranty and it will wear depending on how much I use it. A solar installation begins to degrade as soon as it's put in the sunlight. When the product is finally "yours", it'll be producing about 80% of its rated power (if you're lucky) as the warranties are expiring.

What I was doing was illustrating the flaw in what some believe is a valid business model. If paying for the hardware over time was worthwhile, why wouldn't they load you up with new higher efficiency panels at the end of the term and you go for another contract? Because there isn't government money, our money, on the second go 'round.

[tmleadr03]

A home appreciates. My car has a warranty and it will wear depending on how much I use it. A solar installation begins to degrade as soon as it's put in the sunlight. When the product is finally "yours", it'll be producing about 80% of its rated power (if you're lucky) as the warranties are expiring.

What I was doing was illustrating the flaw in what some believe is a valid business model. If paying for the hardware over time was worthwhile, why wouldn't they load you up with new higher efficiency panels at the end of the term and you go for another contract? Because there isn't government money, our money, on the second go 'round.

How would anyone know what will happen at the end of the contract? They may indeed offer new panels and a new contract. Just like with a car. At the end of the loan the dealer may offer you a good deal for a new one.

[offgrid]

[QUOTE=Gman;1189059]A home appreciates. My car has a warranty and it will wear depending on how much I use it. A solar installation begins to degrade as soon as it's put in the sunlight. When the product is finally "yours", it'll be producing about 80% of its rated power (if you're lucky) as the warranties are expiring /QUOTE]

My 8yr+ solar panels are putting out 100% of their rated power.

[gnihcraes]

Depends on the contract, solar city contract is below:, which would answer a lot of the questions asked. End of contract, buy it outright, have them remove it, or new contract and new stuff.

PDF document.
http://www.solarcity.com/downloads/S...act_sample.pdf

They promise a certain output, so if it fails to deliver over the 20 year period, they will fix/replace as needed to keep it running as designed 20 years previous.

[tmleadr03]

Depends on the contract, solar city contract is below:, which would answer a lot of the questions asked. End of contract, buy it outright, have them remove it, or new contract and new stuff.

PDF document.
http://www.solarcity.com/downloads/S...act_sample.pdf

They promise a certain output, so if it fails to deliver over the 20 year period, they will fix/replace as needed to keep it running as designed 20 years previous.

REC has the same deal.

[Brian]

REC has the same deal.

Have never heard of them. Are they new? Solar City seems to be everywhere. They gave us a good quote, but due to the angles of our roof, the panels will look a little odd - facing forward and I'm not sure it'll be good for resale value if we ever move... so we're still on the fence.

[Gman]

Depends on the contract, solar city contract is below:, which would answer a lot of the questions asked. End of contract, buy it outright, have them remove it, or new contract and new stuff.

PDF document.
http://www.solarcity.com/downloads/S...act_sample.pdf

They promise a certain output, so if it fails to deliver over the 20 year period, they will fix/replace as needed to keep it running as designed 20 years previous.

Thanks for the link. Holy crap, a 19 page agreement. I did find it positive that they wouldn't put a lien on your home. I'm still not done going through it in my 'spare time'. Their website indicates no options for buyout with a lease. Would you happen to have a link to their lease agreement?

As to no degradation, that's simply not possible; NREL: Photovoltaic Degradation Rates — An Analytical Review