Ok let’s take it a step further. Who had solar panels?!?!

If you notice my water heating thread, you may think either I am nuts or very frugle. Well. I’m both. In my older years and plus worldly current events I have started looking at ways to become less dependent on the man.

No I am not gone full blown prepper but I will admit I have 3 months of food and water and plenty of batteries stored up. I think that is just smart. You ain’t full prepper until you have 5 gallon buckets of rice and noodles stored up. Well, I take that back. I have that too! But I am not looking for a grid down situation or SHTF theory or even a TMB attack though I am sure it’s all possible.

A few weeks ago we went without power for 12 hours. I thought my kids were going to go nuts but it really put things into perspective for me and the wife.

I have looked at solar panels 3 to 4 times in the last 10 years. I almost pulled the trigger (and should have) when my state matched the 30% federal tax credit.

That was just stupid of me. A 9.5 kw system that is a $35k system for $14900 installed. Man what was I thinking?

So, in Jan of this year, our governor signed HB 589 Which was having the local duke energy of the Carolinas, give their customers a large break in form of a check back to solar customers.

A $5000 check for customers installing a 10kw or smaller system. This is right up my alley.

32 panels. The federal tax break still stands just the state of N.C. is not so robust so I am still looking at a $20k investment. I won’t be able to sell any power back in the summer but should be able to in the winter and I estimate a $100 power bill in the summer and next to nothing in the winter.

This would pay back the system cost in about 8 years give or take. At 45 I’m not getting any younger so I have called duke energy to see what steps I need to take to apply. They earmarked $62 million for this and once it’s spent its gone.

I will have to add some roof space as my house does have the required 600 sq feet of roof. This means a nice wood storage area and 2 car garage facing due south.


It’s a lot to take in and may not happen as we are sending twins to college in the fall but I am hoping.

Who has them????

 

I'd love to get a solar array.

 

I don't have them but would love to get some someday

 

The neighbor across the street use to install them. He's been talking about it every time I see him, but so far, he hasn't got the loan to do it. He's talking about $60,000 for a system.

My local Stihl dealer just had one put in and offered to take me through his house and check it out. He said his was $70,000, but his $25,000 battery is mobile and can be hauled to his business to power it up. His package includes maintenance and remote monitoring of the system.

I'd love to get a solar system, but like everybody else, the up front cost is a hard pill to swallow. Thats the equivalent of 466 months ($150/month for 38 years) power co bills to go 100% off grid.

I've heard that our power co doesn't have a program set up to buy back power

 

An 8 year ROI is pretty damm good. From what I've read so far, it just doesn't make sense for me at this point. Maybe for my next house, as lack of buildable space for a garage has me thinking short term here.

Hopefully the cost will continue to drop, because as the incentives dwindle, so does the benefits of solar.

 

And that’s the catch- the power company is not a partner or a friend. They will (in some areas but not all) buy back your excess produced power- but at WHOLESALE price. If the power transfers from their end to you, you’re charged retail price and all the fees and taxes that go with it.

 

do not take offense please, IMO if you have enough money to build a garage, and a wood storage area so you can add solar panels, plus send 2 kids to college, and pay for the solar panels, just pay the electric bill and save yourself a whole bunch of aggravation and money.
I look at these numbers all the time and just go wow. People will spend/borrow 60,000 dollars to save 100 bucks a month, plus maintenance and repairs then about the time of ROI it need replacement.
Again no offense please, just MY thinking.

 

I don't own, and never have, any solar panels. There are little to no incentives available around here (that I've found) and our local utility does not allow selling back...so not much incentive for the individual to try it here.
But, our local power is from a community owned partially coal fired (previously 100% coal fired) power plant. As part of their agreement with EPA to be allowed to continue to burn (some) coal, they had to diversify. Part of the diversification was to install 2 solar fields...one 1MW and one 2MW...they are just putting the finishing touches on them now...we'll see how this goes.

 

It is a money losing game for most. The current tech panels will degrade and lose efficiency before you hit break even on the investment unless you live somewhere with a lot of sunshine and unusually high electricity prices.

You can find hours of sunlight data for where you live. Adjust the panel efficiency for non-ideal angle to the sun most of the day and for degredation. Project your expenses and your energy savings in an Excel spreadsheet. If the savings exceed the expenses over the life of the panels, use the XIRR function to calculate your rate of return. After accounting for all the risks and uncertainties, the IRR should exceed other potential investment opportunities or it makes no sense to invest. If you live in a remote desert or on an island, it might but for most it won’t.

 

The transmission lines and their maintenance and management are far from free.

 

I agree.
Id tackle consumption reduction first. Any appliance with a motor is going to be a suck on the KWH's. The "water preheater" is an excellent idea.
Here associated grid tie fees are IIRC $39/month (That's a fee youre going to realize regardless of solar.) My bill typically runs $60-$120/month so my savings with solar would be $20-$80/ month. Hardly justifiable.

 

No offense taken!!!! All valid points! Thanks everyone. As always, I like to think out loud! I’m still doing the preheater no matter what lol. I think it’s a winner. Total cost will be about $26 in pvc as I have the T’s.

 

Dennis, how long ago did you have the solar panels on the camper?

Solar technology, as with pretty much everything has really gotten much more efficient the last few years.

 

Weve been toying with the idea for our new construction garage that will have a loft. I don't like paying contractors, so I was planning and entirely self installed system. There's an older ranch house about a mile from me that just covered the roof with them... I gather they are hard core greenies...the yard has also been replanted with no maintenance ground coverings and perennials. Two hybrid cars, a Prius and an i3 are in the driveway. Gotta say, the i3 is screaming deal on the used market now... carbon fiber construction... great for Wisconsin s salt problem. Anyway, back on topic... There are some excellent videos on YouTube about the cost, the payback time, and some of the mistakes to avoid. I will say if you have the desire then go for it. The technology has finally reached the point where it's reliable, effective, and affordable. This is a pretty conservative crowd here... I would seek out advice from a more solar or alternative energy friendly site.

Best of luck!

 

thanks , good luck with the tank. I am trying to come up with an idea to make that work for you. Water and basement temp is so close, well spring summer fall you should be able to get a benefit outside.

 

I've often thought about using a gas hot water tank as a tempering tank and plumbing the dryer vent through the exhaust vent or an electric tank and running a copper coil behind wood stove with a low volume circulator pump and pop off valve.
Just never enough time in a day.

 

Have you seen the solar evacuated tubes. They look promising!
I watched a vid earlier where they were making 178* water. I don't know how much water, but 178* is very impressive!!!

Edit
Not a great vid but this looks plausible. Jump forward to the end