Solar Power company recommendations

[HelloImaMac]

Hello,
After working out the economics my wife and I decided its time for solar- also kind of feel the need to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are looking for solar company recommendations. Anyone that has use a specific company’s services, please care to recommend.

we are looking for a full scale consultation and installation company.

The only company I have heard of and familiar in San Diego is Sullivan solar power.

thanks

[jimmy1977]

We used sunline energy, no pressure sales and competitive prices. The guys who did the install were very professional.

I spoke to Gerry from Sunline energy. Is easy going and explains every step in detail. Comes by at inspects everything that gets done.

—
Jimmy

[joec]

Would love to hear more reputable solar companies…I think the federal credits expire in 2016…

[olegy]

http://transworldsolar.com/
Instelled 6K system about a year ago.
Just a hint – if total cost of a standard installation exceeds $4/W – you are getting ripped off. No matter what they say about premium panels, etc.

[Escoguy]

We did one prepaid lease with Sungevity: 3KW for $8800 about a year ago. It produces 4500 kwh/year. Avg cost/kwh= 9.5 cents.

I’m doing a second regular lease with them for a 4.9KW system. I put $1000 down and have a flat $85/month for 20 years. It will produce about 8000 khw/year on average. Avg cost 8 cents.

For two other smaller rentals, I priced 3KW systems as leases from Solar city, they were in the $55/month range. They were more competitive for small systems.

[FlyerInHi]

Talking about energy efficiency, I replaced all my lights with Philips hue bulbs. I think that I can light my apartment for the equivalent of 100W.

Very cool and amazing what we can do these days for just a few hundred dollars. 20 years ago those lights were luxury items that only architects would specify.

I really can’t believe that some people are still hanging on to the incandescent light bulb.

http://www2.meethue.com/en-us/

[UCGal]

I don’t need smart lightbulbs. But we have been phasing over to LED and have seen a drop in the power bill. (we targeted the most used fixtures first.)

Not sure why I need a lightbulb that can flash, change colors, etc, though.

[thejq]

I suggest that you go to http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum.php It’s a great place to learn and ask questions. There’re many experts who will guide you to get the best system for your needs.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=UCGal]I don’t need smart lightbulbs. But we have been phasing over to LED and have seen a drop in the power bill. (we targeted the most used fixtures first.)

Not sure why I need a lightbulb that can flash, change colors, etc, though.[/quote]

To be able to control lights on the iPad is great. The flashing and changing colors is an ancillary bonus that’s already built into the product. But I agree with there are lots of gimmicks.

I remember that in the early 2000s, home automation cost a fortune. I was wow to see a house with a central control panel.

I have LED light strips under my bathroom and TV cabinets that are hung on the wall. I remember back in the old days, you had to get special fixtures to create that shadow effect. They were halogen or fluorescent, used lots of power, and created heat.

I foresee lot of improvement in home automation and energy efficiency in the next decade. Right now, all the stuff doesn’t work together.

[CDMA ENG]

[quote=UCGal]Not sure why I need a lightbulb that can flash, change colors, etc, though.[/quote]

You are soooo not cool! 😛

CE

[CDMA ENG]

[quote=Escoguy]We did one prepaid lease with Sungevity: 3KW for $8800 about a year ago. It produces 4500 kwh/year. Avg cost/kwh= 9.5 cents.

I’m doing a second regular lease with them for a 4.9KW system. I put $1000 down and have a flat $85/month for 20 years. It will produce about 8000 khw/year on average. Avg cost 8 cents.

For two other smaller rentals, I priced 3KW systems as leases from Solar city, they were in the $55/month range. They were more competitive for small systems.[/quote]

So what happens if they go under?

CE

[FlyerInHi]

The physics Nobel prize goes to work on LED.
LED is the lighting source of the 21st century!
It will improve the quality of life of millions, perhaps billions of people.

I feel like my life is more pleasant with LED. You can achieve lots of lighting effects in your own home — something only professionals were able to do before.

[FlyerInHi]

No sure how good they are, but Solar City is now providing loans.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/solarcity-loan-deal-propel-rooftop-market-26034335

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2014/10/08/solarcity-offers-its-first-home-solar-loan/

[joec]

I would love a no underwriting loan for solar…

For people who watch the news, even Ben Bernanke mentioned he couldn’t refi (easily) since his income was not consistent/stable/w2.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-03/why-even-ben-bernanke-cant-refinance-his-mortgage-chart

For self employed folks, good luck finding folks who will bother working with you to do a loan…especially if your income is low due to larger write offs from a business since self-employed lending is now off your net income and not gross.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bernanke-refinance-20141007-story.html

He can probably use a smaller bank, but I think smaller self-employed folks would have a tougher time.

When we purchased, I remember we could’ve put > 50% down and a lender wouldn’t even bother responding to us.

[Escoguy]

We have a second system with them on a different house where we pay a monthly lease fee. $85/fixed for 20 years for a 5 kw system.
So if they go under we can stop making payments on the second system and have power from both.

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