Solar Electric (electric bill, island, charge)

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by Restrain

RE, value added: if you have a lease, it is personal property, and not added to value. As to value added, it is the net capitalized return, and only measurable against the market. Right now, the value added is well below cost if purchased.

Yes but when you add 30% tax credit, added value to property and eventual payback the numbers may not look too bad.

I don't know because I don't have any hard numbers.

Gary

[JERSEY MAN]

Gary, I wouldn't buy a house with panels on it. I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't even want to go see the house. Everyone's different, so I don't think thats it's a big plus on the value of real estate. I view it as a downside, just one more headache.

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by JERSEY MAN

Gary, I wouldn't buy a house with panels on it. I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't even want to go see the house. Everyone's different, so I don't think thats it's a big plus on the value of real estate. I view it as a downside, just one more headache.

It's certainly not for everyone but many people would never buy a house with a pool for the same reasons.

Gary

[Snafu]

I've been doing the research and have decided that I am going to go ahead with the solar this year, for several reasons - some financial, some not

Financial:
1. The rebates ARE good... 30% tax credit, $2750 State rebate AND a $2600 energy company credit
2. My Homeowner's insurance company includes them as part of my structure for any weather issues
3. My break-even point is about 6-7 years (conservatively), and I don't plan on selling my home anytime soon.
4. Energy prices WILL keep going up.
5. The net-metering does make sense - any credits that I don't use can go into an unlimited future "bank", or I have the option to sell them back (albeit at a terrible rate) once a year to the utility company. My meter runs "backwards", when I am generating more than I am using, and at night, my meter runs "forward" to consume electricity from the grid. My bill for the month (if anything) is only when my forward is more than my reverse (and my "bank" has been exhausted)
6. I quit smoking 25 years ago and make my cappuccinos at home instead of Starbucks, so I figure it really is already paid for.
7. No matter what the person says about crunching numbers and "return on investment", this is a GUARANTEED return not tied to any financial markets.


Other:
1. I DO think we need to do more the decrease our carbon footprint. This is my choice to give it a shot; I'm making changes in my winter heating based on the "cheaper" electric source, so the "break-even" date may be even shorter.
2. Feel-good factor - that I am trying to do my part.
3. Seriously, most of us would go out and blow 3x or 4x the amount of the net cost of a solar system on a fancy car every 6-8 years with NO return on your money, and we'd never think twice about it!

Fingers crossed this all works out as planned, but I'm really interested just to see the process in action. I've done some research on it and talked with the utility company and some other local users to see if there have been ANY issues popping up with other local installations, and so far I've heard no show-stoppers.

[az99]

Originally Posted by Snafu

5. The net-metering does make sense - any credits that I don't use can go into an unlimited future "bank", or I have the option to sell them back (albeit at a terrible rate) once a year to the utility company.

You may want to double check that with your utility. In Pa. we have to automatically sell them any extra we generated each year in May. Of course at about 1/4 of what they charge for the same. I was told by my SREC wholesaler that is standard policy.
Not saying you are wrong, but may want to check if it makes a difference.


Good Luck to you as I have nothing bad to say about my system except the snow does not come off it very quickly. Not a problem you should have. It is great to watch the meter spinning backward. I have no bill other than the service charge from May-Oct.

I have a 10KW system. It generates between 10,000 and 11,000 kwh per year.

[Restrain]

Snafu: Before putting in BIG bucks into solar, do the following: in an older home, have someone put more insulation in the walls, add 8-12" to the attic. Upgrade the HVAC to a modern high efficiency system. If propane or natural gas is available, use this for your heating. Cheaper and more efficient than electric. Same with the HWH. Replace old windows with vinyl triple pane windows (you can install them yourself if somewhat handy).

Do all that first, then look at your utility costs. Now I know that heat is a bigger issue for you than we have down here. But we cut out electric costs over 50% by putting in radiant barrier, 8-12" of insulation. Windows also make a big difference in heat transfer. Vinyl is much better than metal at reducing heat transfer.

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by Snafu

I've been doing the research and have decided that I am going to go ahead with the solar this year, for several reasons - some financial, some not

Financial:
1. The rebates ARE good... 30% tax credit, $2750 State rebate AND a $2600 energy company credit
2. My Homeowner's insurance company includes them as part of my structure for any weather issues
3. My break-even point is about 6-7 years (conservatively), and I don't plan on selling my home anytime soon.
4. Energy prices WILL keep going up.
5. The net-metering does make sense - any credits that I don't use can go into an unlimited future "bank", or I have the option to sell them back (albeit at a terrible rate) once a year to the utility company. My meter runs "backwards", when I am generating more than I am using, and at night, my meter runs "forward" to consume electricity from the grid. My bill for the month (if anything) is only when my forward is more than my reverse (and my "bank" has been exhausted)
6. I quit smoking 25 years ago and make my cappuccinos at home instead of Starbucks, so I figure it really is already paid for.
7. No matter what the person says about crunching numbers and "return on investment", this is a GUARANTEED return not tied to any financial markets.


Other:
1. I DO think we need to do more the decrease our carbon footprint. This is my choice to give it a shot; I'm making changes in my winter heating based on the "cheaper" electric source, so the "break-even" date may be even shorter.
2. Feel-good factor - that I am trying to do my part.
3. Seriously, most of us would go out and blow 3x or 4x the amount of the net cost of a solar system on a fancy car every 6-8 years with NO return on your money, and we'd never think twice about it!

Fingers crossed this all works out as planned, but I'm really interested just to see the process in action. I've done some research on it and talked with the utility company and some other local users to see if there have been ANY issues popping up with other local installations, and so far I've heard no show-stoppers.

Best of luck - hope it works out well for you. There's no argument that as a "feel good" investment, it makes at least as much sense as a Corvette, although I'm sure the Corvette would kick its a** in the quarter mile.

[Snafu]

I have checked into the "credit bank" with our local electric, and I have the option - credits or sell back. I replaced all my windows several years ago, and (as part of a "varmint issue" in the attic, once the critters were gone) I had new/extra insulation put in the attic spaces. My gawd-awful oil furnace conveniently died this Spring, so my "emergency" heat will be a new high-efficiency propane furnace (already have some tanks for a gas stove and generator)... happy to be down to just electric and propane now.

[Modification Specialist]

May electric bill $10.92 (Click to enlarge)



Read my post about net metering

//www.city-data.com/forum/long-...ng-charge.html

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by Modification Specialist

May electric bill $10.92 (Click to enlarge)



Read my post about net metering

//www.city-data.com/forum/long-...ng-charge.html

Thanks for the link very informative. It's good to here from someone who has actually jumped into the pool

Gary