[WestieJeff]

Larger lots quite often don't have gas service (nor cable). It's not nearly as cost effective for the utilities to lay main lines for the lesser density of customers.

In regards to solar panels, I hardly ever hear anyone mention this, but don't forget to consider the age and condition of the roof. The panels need to be removed and re-installed if a roof repair ever needs to be made. You're talking thousands of dollars to remove and re-install the panels. Considering the panels should last 20-30 years, basically the roof underlayment (tar paper) needs to be nearly brand new to get that life span without expecting to have to repair the roof. It depends, but a reasonable estimate is about 25 year life for tile roof underlayment.

An excellent article at: Tile Roof Applications | SolarPro Magazine

Originally Posted by BBMW

Yah. I'd never buy a house without gas service.

[winter-rabbit]

I plan to have the panels sit at the perimeter of the property.

The only thing I am not sure about is running a long feed to the meter.

My property is .6 acres. What about you?

Do you have underground electric?

Originally Posted by WestieJeff

Larger lots quite often don't have gas service (nor cable). It's not nearly as cost effective for the utilities to lay main lines for the lesser density of customers.

In regards to solar panels, I hardly ever hear anyone mention this, but don't forget to consider the age and condition of the roof. The panels need to be removed and re-installed if a roof repair ever needs to be made. You're talking thousands of dollars to remove and re-install the panels. Considering the panels should last 20-30 years, basically the roof underlayment (tar paper) needs to be nearly brand new to get that life span without expecting to have to repair the roof. It depends, but a reasonable estimate is about 25 year life for tile roof underlayment.

An excellent article at: Tile Roof Applications | SolarPro Magazine

[WestieJeff]

Curious if anyone who has net metering currently could tell me what charges they pay?

I am trying to determine if I consumed 100 kwh and generated 100 kwh, what would the bill be? I know they charge some type of monthly connection charge and then I heard all the "surcharge fees" such as energy conservation, etc. are charged on "delivered" kwh regardless of net metering, so they would be charged against 100 kwh in my example.

Just trying to figure out how they nickle and dime you.

[airics]

my neighbor has looked into solar city.. i don't know if this is true or not… solar city puts in the panels and connects to the meter… there is no cost for the panels… you pay 2 electric bills.. 1 to solar city for what you use and the other to nevada energy for their minimum charge..

i can't really believe that this would be true..

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by airics

my neighbor has looked into solar city.. i don't know if this is true or not… solar city puts in the panels and connects to the meter… there is no cost for the panels… you pay 2 electric bills.. 1 to solar city for what you use and the other to nevada energy for their minimum charge..

i can't really believe that this would be true..

Yes -- because it's a 20-year contract to pay more than the installation and panels are worth. We're at the "fleece the ignorant" phase of solar power.

[airics]

but wouldn't solar citys bill be much cheaper than nevada energy

[ScoopLV]

No. That's the scam. As solar conforms to Moore's law, that 20-year contract becomes a worse and worse deal.

This is how that solar salesman broke it down for me. And I have no idea why he had such candor. I was ready to plunk down a lot of money for a solar system before they became popular. He ran the numbers at my kitchen table and explained precisely why I should wait.

Solar City's bill will be slightly cheaper at first. As solar becomes less and less expensive, that 20-year contract will be more and more of an albatross wearing a millstone.

People should get their bills down as far as possible. That's the ONLY way to beat the system. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

[airics]

so if the panels are free, you are saying the rate that solar city will charge will stay the same or go up and the product itself will come down in price.. so the contract term (20YRS) is where they get you.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by airics

so if the panels are free, you are saying the rate that solar city will charge will stay the same or go up and the product itself will come down in price.. so the contract term (20YRS) is where they get you.

The panels are not free. The panels are provided in exchange for signing a long-term contract. Exactly like the phone is free in exchange for signing a long-term contract. The difference is two years compared to 20 years.

[winter-rabbit]

This all makes sense if you have all electric house. Get a $5K DIY Kit.