what are my options for solar electricity (Phoenix: house, water heater)

[grindaz]

We're in mesa near Ellsworth and Broadway, am interested I. being a solar system. Who are our options, what's the pros and cons, costs, and anything else we need to know.

Or alternatively you may direct me to a thread or link which can provide all this information.

Thank You.

[ArrisSevvin]

I used to think solar would be awesome. I can't see installing one without a battery bank. There is little advantage if you can't store the power. How big of a bank would actually be useful? Remember they drain three times faster than they charge. And batteries in AZ seem to fail prematurely. With the cost of the panels, and the replacement of batteries being $150 each every two or few years I just don't see the savings. And then the dust. Panels need to be cleaned daily, especially in the east valley. All those farms and open plains near by really kick up the dust. Dust will steal solar efficiency quickly.

If it's for green consciousness and you can afford the installation and don't mind the up-keep then go for it. My hat is off to you. Then, we get most of our power from hydroelectric. Green isn't really an issue.

I'm no expert. I had considered it and these were the issues that put me off of it.

[grindaz]

Originally Posted by ArrisSevvin

I used to think solar would be awesome. I can't see installing one without a battery bank. There is little advantage if you can't store the power. How big of a bank would actually be useful? Remember they drain three times faster than they charge. And batteries in AZ seem to fail prematurely. With the cost of the panels, and the replacement of batteries being $150 each every two or few years I just don't see the savings. And then the dust. Panels need to be cleaned daily, especially in the east valley. All those farms and open plains near by really kick up the dust. Dust will steal solar efficiency quickly.

If it's for green consciousness and you can afford the installation and don't mind the up-keep then go for it. My hat is off to you. Then, we get most of our power from hydroelectric. Green isn't really an issue.

I'm no expert. I had considered it and these were the issues that put me off of it.

Thanks for the reply. Well my father has solar system, it was no cost for the system or installation. He has a small electric bill each month and then gets paid back some by srp at the end of the year. And no upkeep or maintenance. Any thing that goes wrong is repaired by the company at their cost.


I just want to see what all other options there are out there.

[hikernut]

Grid connect is a risky proposition, in my opinion. One can hope they will be grandfathered in case the rules are changed, but of course there are no guarantees. In Nevada, solar customers really got screwed when the law was changed.

If you have an application that doesn't require storage it might be worth a try, but I can't think of many. Pool pump seems like a good one if you have a pool.

[ajonesaz]

SRP effectively killed residential solar. It is not a good investment now like it was in the past. Not sure if APS charges a "grid" fee yet.

[Coop01]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Grid connect is a risky proposition, in my opinion. One can hope they will be grandfathered in case the rules are changed, but of course there are no guarantees. In Nevada, solar customers really got screwed when the law was changed.

If you have an application that doesn't require storage it might be worth a try, but I can't think of many. Pool pump seems like a good one if you have a pool.

Most of my Kw/h is consumed by the 50 gal. 220V electric water heater. I bought 3ea 330 w. panels hooked them in series. I picked up a 30 gal electric water preheat the incoming water by connecting the heating elements with the solar panels to preheat the water coming into the main water heater. No controller needed. The panels just see a resistive load and they won't care if you short them out. The main water heater seldom goes on. I may even bypass the main water heater. It doesn't touch the grid so $50/mo. solar surcharge. Solar panels are really cheap now.

[vision33r]

Originally Posted by grindaz

Thanks for the reply. Well my father has solar system, it was no cost for the system or installation. He has a small electric bill each month and then gets paid back some by srp at the end of the year. And no upkeep or maintenance. Any thing that goes wrong is repaired by the company at their cost.


I just want to see what all other options there are out there.

What your dad signed up was letting the solar company free use of his roof top to generate electricity. Your excess generated energy is only paid back either 10-12% of cost they charge you per kwatt. nowhere can generate unlimited energy unless it never rains and never goes to winter. These contracts also puts a lien on your house that if you sold your house you are due whatever the balance left on the panels.

During winter season you generate much less energy so you have to pay to access energy from the grid and the rates will be a lot higher than your sunny seasons.

Unless you buy your own panels, have a battery farm in the backyard to store energy, then you are not off the grid and you have to pay these firms for power.

There's no free lunch.

[kell490]

Originally Posted by vision33r

What your dad signed up was letting the solar company free use of his roof top to generate electricity. Your excess generated energy is only paid back either 10-12% of cost they charge you per kwatt. nowhere can generate unlimited energy unless it never rains and never goes to winter. These contracts also puts a lien on your house that if you sold your house you are due whatever the balance left on the panels.

During winter season you generate much less energy so you have to pay to access energy from the grid and the rates will be a lot higher than your sunny seasons.

Unless you buy your own panels, have a battery farm in the backyard to store energy, then you are not off the grid and you have to pay these firms for power.

There's no free lunch.

Arizona winter months actually generate more then we use and utility rates are lower in the winter here. Have you ever lived in Phoenix, AZ? We have the highest amount of sun time in the country so Grid tie systems actually do save money here.