Getting solar at the house

[Dave]

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.

[davsel]

So the stimulus money is 'your' money more so than tax credits that I received? Hmm

Really just depends on if your tax liability exceeded your tax credit.

If so, my apologies - I probably jumped the gun by attacking you over a govt program I disagree with.
My issue is really with the number of individuals who receive more money from the govt than what they pay to the govt.
I have no idea if you fall into this category, and I should not have assumed.

Again, my apologies for the hair-trigger.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Really just depends on if your tax liability exceeded your tax credit.

If so, my apologies - I probably jumped the gun by attacking you over a govt program I disagree with.
My issue is really with the number of individuals who receive more money from the govt than what they pay to the govt.
I have no idea if you fall into this category, and I should not have assumed.

Again, my apologies for the hair-trigger.

Roger that. No worries.

[TRnCO]

tax breaks and subsidies for oil, gas and coal.

Actually, what the oil, gas and coal outfits get are NOT subsidies, but rather tax breaks. There's a big difference. Wind and solar are getting subsidies.

[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?

[CO Hugh]

So by that you align me with Obama voters?

Snort.

Do I agree with the subsidies? Nope. Am I going to make use of them since I am paying for them? Yup.

Maybe not linking anyone to obama voters, but it is economically unfeasible. Solar power is alchemy it will not work on its own.

The problem is that people get the systems, money goes to cronys, (violently anti gun) then program gets renewed because so many people purchased. The man takes more of your money to give to cronies, now you are a serf.

[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]

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?