Solar ?

Don't know if this is proper place for this thread, but got wondering if any of you have or are looking into solar systems. I would rather ask the pellet peeps as this is where I spend my time.

I an sold on solar, and talking to the second company after having a bad time with the first company. Really want to have the system up and running by Jan.1

Anyone else having thoughts on solar or have a system already installed?

Schoondog

 

The numbers are starting to make some sense. Personally, I would look into it in about five years. Seems like the cost is starting to come down a lot and I expect it to come down even more.

 

I like the idea of it, but cost is one factor and the uncertainty of how long we'll be in this house is the other. We'll be here at least another 5-8 years, but if I were to invest in a solar system, I'd want it to be in the house I plan on staying in until they drag me out feet first.

 

Solar heat (water, air) is already worth it. Solar electricity is likely not worth it without subsidies in most areas, yet. There is a lot of diy solar on the internet, try builditsolar.com to start.

I made a solar heater (Sun Grabber, look it up) in South Carolina, and was pleased with it. I will do so soon here in Washington, but will not do water heating here (too cold).

Greg

 

I want to lease the system, I don't have time to make, design the system. I also do not want to buy one as it is a $25-30k up front cost. The system I'm currently looking at will have a fixed cost per month for 20 years that is currently less than half of what we pay now. I like that my electric cost should stay fixed for the next 20 years.

Hey Bushpilot I used to live in Spokane and Post falls Id. Close to you?

Schoondog

 

Deer Park, North of Spokane.

Greg

 

Are you aware that the lease is tied to the house? If you ever sell the house, the buyer must qualify for the lease, otherwise they will not be able to buy the house.

Greg

 

If I had electric baseboards and electric water heater in my house, i'd panel-up.
but currently, with oil as cheap as it is-- and frankly, even electric is dirt right now (lowest it's been in 8 years), the numbers don't make sense to me. My power bill is 80 bucks, 120 in august with the ac on. That's a LONG time to ROI 20 grand....

Couple that with panel technology and the lease terms these guys hit you with...
In 5 years, you'll be able to produce double or triple the power for 1/4 the cost and 1/8th the panel size. And you'll still be in your contract with old stuff... and if you ever want to sell that house, no new buyer is going to want your old stuff- or your lease. So consider that you are in your house for the next X years of the contract.

In about 5 or so years, we won't have to lease. They will be cost-affordable due to size reductions and performance improvements so we'd only need 3 panels instead of 30.

 

I would also suggest you read the fine print on this. Most costs are NOT fixed. They are NPV'ed and have escalation applied to them.

 

I agree, look what technology has done with advances in anything from back surgery being an out patient procedure nowadays, all the way to our cell phones having 100x the computing power of the first 20,000 computers combined
With everyone being concerned about the environment and renewable energy solar panels are going to outdate themselves just as fast as computers. I'd give it 5+ years.

 

My personal perspective is that solar is a good idea. However, it is just starting to reach up to the mark of being practical. It is a double edge story. Without investment, no improvement. With improvement comes competition and down goes the price.
Look at the technology of light bulks. 5 years ago, LED lights were outrageously costly. There light was offensive and only lit up the bulb, not lighting any area. Now my whole house is lit with LED's and the color is warm and just as good as the old incandescent lights. I paid $2.00 each at HD a couple months ago. Even for the 60 watt flood lights. IF solar isn't taken over with another technology, it too will become affordable. Personally, I think that oil will put up a big fight to keep from being taken over by solar, wind, etc. Highly subsidized solar companies have been going out of business because there just isn't enough support for them. Cheap oil doesn't hold any rush for the development of new technology. Right now, I think oil products like gas has to cost $4.00 a gallon for alternative to become practical. That is one reason you won't see any government support for lower prices.

 

Don't get me wrong, I also like Solar, and would love to have it. It just doesn't pay in my situation, except possibly Solar heat. As others have suggested, that will likely change for the better.

Greg

 

yes

 

Friends of ours are currently selling there home with the same solar set up and company that we may use. Ineresting to see what happens. Their realtor thinks it will be a sales advantage and if the buyers qualify for a mortgage they will very likely qualify with the solar company.

Doggy

 

Payment for solar is fixed for 20 years. They maintain entire system at there cost. Of course if we use more power than we generate or have credit for we must pay electric company. I have some power numbers but don't remember them right now. We will know better after they do a site engineering survey next week.
Doggy

 

That will be really cool if it works out for you.

Greg

 

I looked into a PV solar setup for our home about 5 years ago. I got a quote for a roof installed system that would cover our entire electric usage, based on yearly numbers. We did not have the cash to pay for the system, so would have had to finance it one way or another, probably would have refinanced the mortgage and rolled the solar in. After I crunched all the numbers, tax incentives, finance cost etc it turned out that over the 20-25 year life of the system it would have produced enough electricity to cover the cost of the system, so basically a break even. That was based on the current electric rates, so assuming electricity cost will go up over the next 20-25 years, the overall picture was a little better?

I decided against it. I didn't see a clear financial advantage. We are not planning on staying in this home for the next 20-25 years, and I'm not sure how most prospective buyers of a home perceive solar so I wasn't sold on it being a sales advantage. The system would have been roof mounted, and our roof was already 10 years old, we were advised to replace the roof first, which added to the cost.

We are currently trying to sell this house and will most likely build new. I will definitely look into solar for the new house when the time comes. It seems like it would make more sense if you plan/design your house with solar in mind from the first place, both logistically and financially.

I would like to hear how you decide and whether it works out for you.

 

Watching closely here too. Not sure if we'll be in this house long term, but our electric bill is starting to creep up to the point where solar would start to make sense. I'll be replacing my huge, unobstructed south facing roof in the next few years too, so now would be the time. Watching.

 

Doggy, I'm confused....I thought any excess power was sold BACK to the power company....am I missing something?