Does anyone here lease their solar panels? (sale, mortgage)

[Grannysroost]

I would like only a couple of little light bulbs too...ours is good for peak times...my light bulbs are my problem....guess I sit in the dark...

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

I would like only a couple of little light bulbs too...ours is good for peak times...my light bulbs are my problem....guess I sit in the dark...

Do the panels really save you enough to make it worth it?

[Juram]

Originally Posted by jimj

Do the panels really save you enough to make it worth it?

That all depends on the individual I guess. Last month my total electric bill was $24.00, the year before it had been $228.00. I'd say it was worth it.

[Juram]

Originally Posted by jimj

I definitely thought about the motivation on both sides, that's why I suggested people do their own search instead of just posting up "facts" that I found so they could make an informed decision.
Personally I'd love to put up enough panels that APS would only be responsible for a couple light bulbs.

Highly recommend these folks.


Get A Solar Coach - Arizona SmartPower



Non-affiliated, independent and provide good information for those interested in solar but not sure where to turn. APS referred me to them originally.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by jimj

Do the panels really save you enough to make it worth it?

We don't know yet, the system just got hooked into APS the beginning of June. Our lease is about $107...last month's bill was $254, last fall we had insulation put in the roof and foam drilled and forced into the blocks of the walls and I see no difference with that expenditure...Hopefully this will...about 2-1/2 weeks to go before the first APS bill with the solar panels....

[JoeC]

Question:

Does APS/SRP allow net-metering?

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

We don't know yet, the system just got hooked into APS the beginning of June. Our lease is about $107...last month's bill was $254, last fall we had insulation put in the roof and foam drilled and forced into the blocks of the walls and I see no difference with that expenditure...Hopefully this will...about 2-1/2 weeks to go before the first APS bill with the solar panels....

I'll be highly interested in your results! Hopefully your bill will be <$50.

[miran]

What would the typical cost be for a complete system installed. Say I used 10000 kilowatt hours last year. Lease cost vs. Paid for.

[Juram]

Originally Posted by miran

What would the typical cost be for a complete system installed. Say I used 10000 kilowatt hours last year. Lease cost vs. Paid for.

I don't remember what the paid cost was but I'm paying about $110 a month for 18,000 kilowatt hours, give or take a few.

[HX_Guy]

This is very interesting to me and I'd love to look at this lease option for our house. Our electric bills are ridiculous, and in large part because of our exposure, but that same exposure would actually work to our advantage with solar...the whole length of the house has southern exposure, it would get sun all day.

My concern is if a solar system would be able to keep up with the demand. We work from home so we need the AC running all day, don't have the luxury to set it at a higher temp during the day which would be less demand. Looking at APS.com and the last 12 months use, our kWh usage each month breaks down like this...

05/14/2012 1,578
04/12/2012 1,504
03/14/2012 1,212
02/13/2012 1,155
01/13/2012 1,137
12/13/2011 1,251
11/09/2011 1,592
10/11/2011 2,295
09/12/2011 3,253
08/11/2011 3,097
07/13/2011 2,721
06/13/2011 1,590

I have to assume those month over 1,500 kWh would not be covered by the solar panels so we would still need to pay APS, though the other 8 months should be ok? I need to do more research but I'm seriously considering having this done.