Anyone have a solar system on their house/garage?

[peejman]

Cool, thanks!

 

 

edit... how about homeowner's insurance?  Is the array covered?  Special rider needed?

Edited March 1, 2013 by peejman

[seez52]

Are these ever ground mounted? I don't have a southerly facing roof.

[peejman]

So I've piddled with the calculator a bit.  Much as I'd like to install a system, it just doesn't pay back in any reasonable amount of time (or ever...). 

 

Given what my roof looks like and using those Sharp 250W panels, the most I think I could fit is a 6kW system.  To me, a big consideration is to have power when the grid goes down, which means batteries.  Given that system size and efficiency, I might meet my own power needs, but I doubt I'd sell much (if any) back to the grid.  That pretty much kills it.  And I don't have $10k to pay for the system in the first place.  We'll have to wait for the technology to advance a bit more so it's more affordable. 

[enfield]

The big problem is the 15-20% efficiency of crystalline solar panels and their cost.  The best you can hope for is about 10 watts/sq.ft. of panel, only when the sun shines.  Double the efficiency and it halves the square footage required, but if it doubles the cost per square foot, then you're back at square one.  If the cost of generated electricity goes thru the roof, then the equation changes.

 

Could it be that the Federal subsidies for solar panels are just payback from Congress to major campaign contributors - encouraging consumers to buy solar equipment to increase business for the solar panel peddlers?  Good technology doesn't need subsidies to make it viable.

 

In my opinion, after all these years, the best implementation of solar power is still a wood-burning stove.

[Sam1]

We got one estimate back today, at $16.9k for a 4kw system; installed with micro-inverters. I found the exact kit with 3.75kw (just has 15 panels instead of 16)  for $7,700 - retail cost. So they're trying to charge $9000-$10000 for labor and hardware. A similar kit just different brand (same rating and wattage panels) was only $6600.

 

Mysteriously, the solar water heater system has jumped from about $6000 to $8500 as well; it's pretty blatant that the places are jacking up the prices and then saying "but you save 30% on a tax credit". It may be more believable if every page of the proposals and every conversation didn't start with reminding me about a tax credit.

[enfield]

From Fox News, 3/4/13:

 

"Sen. Robert Menendez sponsored legislation with incentives for natural gas vehicle conversions that would benefit the biggest political donor to his re-election, the same eye doctor whose private jet Menendez used for two personal trips to the Dominican Republic, an Associated Press investigation found."

 

Gee, I wonder how often that happens?

[BillP]

Yes seez52, they certainly can be ground mounted.  That is the preferred way to do it if you have the room on the ground.  Saves money, easier, no worry on re-roof someday.  I'm age 73 and did my own roof work, but probably should not have done it.  I wish I had the ground space for them.   

On insurance question:  It depends upon your insurance company.  Mine charged extra because the value of my house went up with the system installed; brother's did not go up.

I had hopes that solar panels would continue to go down in price, but I have lost hope for that.  I'm afraid they have reached bottom on price.   

[seez52]

I've always wanted to do this. I have plenty of room on the ground and a perfect place with good southern exposure. Unfortunately don't have the cash. Maybe one of these days.

[Sam1]

Well, we met up with some solar water installers tonight at the site and I'm cautiously optimistic for the figures tomorrow. He said that from the way the house is laid out, they can actually install a heating coil into the main hvac system pulling off the solar system, cheaper than they could plumb a radiator in. 

 

Hopefully the energy estimates and cost turn out to be decent, cause if so, we'll definitely be going this route.

Edited March 6, 2013 by Sam1