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I'm looking to purchase a solar (PV) system. With the crazy HECO rates they have here I think it's the best route to go for my family. I've got more than a dozen companies bookmarked on Yelp and I constantly see new companies popping up on TV. Any input greatly appreciated.
We went with Sun Run (RevoluSun) on the Bis Island. They explained everything well and did a decent job.
One word of caution: it is becoming more difficult and more costly to install solar, contrary to the ads being put out by HECO. We are trying to install solar on our community center building, and HELCO has a new fee of $991/kwH on top of what we are paying for the system. And that fee varies widely depending on where you are located. This fee is supposedly to pay HELCO to install new equipment on the substation to handle all of the energy being put back into the system. Sounds like another song and dance to me!
Just wanted everyone to be aware of these new fees. Whether or not you will have a fee and how much that will be depends on your location and the amount of solar in your area that feeds into that substation.
I do have solar and called Sunetric and Haleakala (and I called a few other places, you'll find responsiveness hit and miss) - ended up going with Sunetric as they were based in Kailua.
Revolusun and Sunetric are off of the radar. My neighbor use to work for them. He says they're the most expensive. Haleakala has good reviews so I'll get a quote from them.
Yup, these clowns at HECO want us to call them before we sign a contract. Also, for the new people getting solar they want to charge us an outrageous amount to "upgrade" like Dreaming of Hawaii mentioned and who knows how long the wait will be before they turn us on.... *smh*
We went with Sun Run (RevoluSun) on the Bis Island. They explained everything well and did a decent job.
One word of caution: it is becoming more difficult and more costly to install solar, contrary to the ads being put out by HECO. We are trying to install solar on our community center building, and HELCO has a new fee of $991/kwH on top of what we are paying for the system. And that fee varies widely depending on where you are located. This fee is supposedly to pay HELCO to install new equipment on the substation to handle all of the energy being put back into the system. Sounds like another song and dance to me!
Just wanted everyone to be aware of these new fees. Whether or not you will have a fee and how much that will be depends on your location and the amount of solar in your area that feeds into that substation.
You also have the option to not use grid inter-tie. Use one of the calculators on almost all solar suppliers web sites to help determine your usage (pare it down as much as possible) and size the system from there. Edison batteries are one of the best choices for storage and are becoming increasingly available, although most are built in China. They can have a life of 100 (yes, one hundred) years or more of life if properly maintained.
Yes, Mickey, we are looking at that as an alternative. However, being a volunteer community organization with members who come and go, I am hesitant to get anything that would need maintenance on a regular basis.
I'd like to hear from anyone who does have their own solar setup here in Hawaii.
Yes, Mickey, we are looking at that as an alternative. However, being a volunteer community organization with members who come and go, I am hesitant to get anything that would need maintenance on a regular basis.
I'd like to hear from anyone who does have their own solar setup here in Hawaii.
Here are some other threads that i found that might have some answers to your questions.
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