Going Solar!

[joec]

I think SDG&E will be raising base rates for everyone so people with Solar will probably see higher bills for sure. This may make the positive return point longer, but overall, it’s nice to not be so dependent on what some energy company does.

I’d personally be interested in getting batteries as well and try to use primarily my batteries/own solar power.

I’d done some reading on more portable solutions for DR/BC, but cost (for me) is still a lot of batteries and all the equipment.

[patb]

even if it underperforms, it will be awesome as you realize, how things are changing.

[moneymaker]

For me a good job done in a timely manner as promised is all I’m looking for. Found someone who bids labor at $1 a watt, would look for cheaper but am afraid of what I would find.

[moneymaker]

Has anyone installed their own solar? Interesting read on net metering. Eventually SDGE will not have to accept net metering customers https://www.sdge.com/clean-energy/net-energy-metering/overview-nem-cap My guess is this will happen about the time Fed Credits expire. Of course there could be new legislation by then.

[moneymaker]

[quote=moneymaker]Has anyone installed their own solar? Interesting read on net metering. Eventually SDGE will not have to accept net metering customers https://www.sdge.com/clean-energy/net-energy-metering/overview-nem-cap My guess is this will happen about the time Fed Credits expire. Of course there could be new legislation by then.[/quote]
Even if it takes 10 years for system to pay for itself that would be an effective rate of 7.2% a year, pretty darn good for current economic times. Not to mention free electricity after that.

[jeff303]

[quote=moneymaker]Even if it takes 10 years for system to pay for itself that would be an effective rate of 7.2% a year, pretty darn good for current economic times. Not to mention free electricity after that.[/quote]

Not saying it’s not worth doing, but that’s not really a 7.2% return, right? The positive return would only begin after the break-even point.

[no_such_reality]

Ucgal. I’d encourage you to reconsider the skylight in the master bath unless you have a door you keep closed. I used to have one with an open bath arrangement an even living only a mile from the beach. It made for very bright very early mornings June thru September. Even with a thick marine layer it’s surprisingly bright with a large skylight that is big enough to provide roof access

[UCGal]

[quote=no_such_reality]Ucgal. I’d encourage you to reconsider the skylight in the master bath unless you have a door you keep closed. I used to have one with an open bath arrangement an even living only a mile from the beach. It made for very bright very early mornings June thru September. Even with a thick marine layer it’s surprisingly bright with a large skylight that is big enough to provide roof access[/quote]

Good point NSR. We currently have an open area to the bath – and have a solar tube. So I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. Our bathroom remodel will be adding doors to divide the MBR and bath.

[TeCKis300]

I’ve had my system for 1.5 yrs now and it has been working very well for us.

From my research prior, this is not universally true. You have to be focus’d on the numbers to make this work, as it can turn into an expensive science experiment at best. Unless you’re a crunchy type that doesn’t put ROI above environmental issues.

Some considerations and lessons learned:
1) Understand the numbers game you’re playing. Especially if you have an electric car, and are on a time of use (TOU) rather than tiered rate plan. Offsetting gas expenses is considerably more worthwhile than even offsetting tier 3/4, where you may want to offset 100% of your use.
1a BONUS) You can compound the value of solar with an electric car with a TOU plan. Solar produces during the peak rate hours, whereas charging takes places during the lowest rate hours at night.
2) Don’t let the marketers confuse the priorities. Yes, it’s important to buy a quality system/components, but don’t forget ROI which is the whole reason for the investment.
3) Physical constraints of your installation may seriously compromise system efficiency (and potential ROI) – don’t force it to work for you if it won’t!
4) Microinverters!! Line inverters may be cheaper up front, but not when you consider they have to be typically replaced in ~10 yrs. Lots of companies don’t do microinverters and want to force old school line inverters on customers.
5) Don’t hire a 3rd party marketing only company. Cut out the middle man and go directly to the installers.
6) Many lease deals are shady. You may very likely wind up paying more for all the headaches all said and done than paying SDG&E directly.
7) FOCUS on price/watt produced to compare apples to apples and remember…ROI! So what if you have top of the line panels. It’s not an investment if there’s no ROI.

Good luck!

[Hobie]

With your microinverters do you experience RF interference? Hum in the AM band?

[an]

[quote=Hobie]With your microinverters do you experience RF interference? Hum in the AM band?[/quote]
No

[CA renter]

[quote=TeCKis300]I’ve had my system for 1.5 yrs now and it has been working very well for us.

From my research prior, this is not universally true. You have to be focus’d on the numbers to make this work, as it can turn into an expensive science experiment at best. Unless you’re a crunchy type that doesn’t put ROI above environmental issues.

Some considerations and lessons learned:
1) Understand the numbers game you’re playing. Especially if you have an electric car, and are on a time of use (TOU) rather than tiered rate plan. Offsetting gas expenses is considerably more worthwhile than even offsetting tier 3/4, where you may want to offset 100% of your use.
1a BONUS) You can compound the value of solar with an electric car with a TOU plan. Solar produces during the peak rate hours, whereas charging takes places during the lowest rate hours at night.
2) Don’t let the marketers confuse the priorities. Yes, it’s important to buy a quality system/components, but don’t forget ROI which is the whole reason for the investment.
3) Physical constraints of your installation may seriously compromise system efficiency (and potential ROI) – don’t force it to work for you if it won’t!
4) Microinverters!! Line inverters may be cheaper up front, but not when you consider they have to be typically replaced in ~10 yrs. Lots of companies don’t do microinverters and want to force old school line inverters on customers.
5) Don’t hire a 3rd party marketing only company. Cut out the middle man and go directly to the installers.
6) Many lease deals are shady. You may very likely wind up paying more for all the headaches all said and done than paying SDG&E directly.
7) FOCUS on price/watt produced to compare apples to apples and remember…ROI! So what if you have top of the line panels. It’s not an investment if there’s no ROI.

Good luck![/quote]

Thank you very much for your post here, TeCK! Good info.

[tc]

If you get a lighter shade roof you can get a tax credit.

[tc]

I just paid down my solar loan with my tax credit. My electric bill is now $156/month. It used to be $220-$280. And its going to be that for the next 15 years. Then I can expect 10 more years of use after that.
I love it.

[CA renter]

[quote=tc]I just paid down my solar loan with my tax credit. My electric bill is now $156/month. It used to be $220-$280. And its going to be that for the next 15 years. Then I can expect 10 more years of use after that.
I love it.[/quote]

Is this a lease/power purchasing agreement or a system purchase?

[Author]

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