Not much talk about solar power in SW Florida

[JERSEY MAN]

Why would you not want something for free that reduces or eliminates your electric bill?









Worried about leaks, roof, insurance, replacement costs, hurricanes, maintenance, critters making nests under the panels etc!!! If it was a great deal every house in the area would have it. Now they ring your bell, call you, flood facebook with it, mail you things etc. These are some of the reasons I wouldn't want it.

[SJNE17]

Az99: if the panels are leased, the lease may not be able to be assigned--and moreover, new buyers may not want them. If you're a seller of the home early on in the leased panel lifecycle, you could be put in a real jam.

Here's some additional clarity on that:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/reales...506_story.html

Originally Posted by az99

You may not be alone but I bet you are surely in the minority. Why would you not want something for free that reduces or eliminates your electric bill?

[SeaRay35]

Unfortunately nothing in life is free!

[az99]

Originally Posted by JERSEY MAN

Why would you not want something for free that reduces or eliminates your electric bill?









Worried about leaks, roof, insurance, replacement costs, hurricanes, maintenance, critters making nests under the panels etc!!! If it was a great deal every house in the area would have it. Now they ring your bell, call you, flood facebook with it, mail you things etc. These are some of the reasons I wouldn't want it.

I have had solar since 2009. I have had none of the problems you are worried about.

Not everyone has it because not many can afford the sizable up front cost even after the rebates.

Anyone that leased solar is a fool. A leasing co. is not in business to lose money.

Not trying to convince you to run out and get solar. Just pointing out that some things you have been told may be exaggerated.

[JERSEY MAN]

Same here. I've been on these forums for quite some time and I've never seen someone posting in a city or state section and start off there question by stating "Looking for a house with solar" in name your town. It's usually looking for a house with good schools, waterfront, close to the beaches, transportation, ranch style, 55 and over, with or without HOA and so forth. There's a few realtors maybe they can answer if they have customers "Looking for solar". My view is in this area(Charlotte County) there is a predominantly elderly population that couldn't and doesn't want to be bothered with solar. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my take.

[Seafood Junky]

We bought our PGI home in March. It has solar pool water preheater and solar hot water preheater. They work great.

Our home had PV panels at some point but they had been removed before we bought the house.

Mike

[ribeye67]

I live in CA and installed a 3.6KW system on my roof by myself. The only help I had was the internet and someone to hand me panels while I was on the roof and help lifting the inverter to mount on the wall. The installation is not that hard. I am not a contractor, but a civil engineer. I found the state grant and permit paperwork to be the difficult part of the job. I bought the basic kit from a place in Florida over the internet and it was shipped to my house for a total of $26K. I spent another $1K on conduit, some wiring, and changing my service panel (not typically required). Doing it myself made my payback period to be 5 years. It produces more then 100% of my electrical use. I get about $200 credit towards my gas bill to reimburse me for overproducing power back to the grid.

I would say it probably isnt worth it if you pay a contractor. If you are reasonably handy, do it yourself. BTW, it helps to have a simple asphalt shinge roof with a south facing direction and no shade.