Anyone use solar panels at home?

[Jack 06]

I got prices and almost committed last year. But, even with a decent CA subsidy and anticipated savings, I couldn't make the numbers come out---mainly because no realtors around here could give me any assurance I'd see any increased value from my home when it came time to sell.

Now I see there's been a "breakthrough" in the construction of panels, someone having found a way to substitute a newly-developed plastic for much more expensive silica. (The announcement of this was about 8 months ago.) I still haven't seen anything about any companies going into production with this "new model". Maybe it was another "cold fusion".

Anyway, wondering if any PCers have a full-blown system, or even partial (including just for a pool), and what your experience has been.

[guru_del]

thought about it just like you. I live in So cal and we had some good incentives but i just couldnt get the math to work out. It was going to take over 20 years to pay off. If there is a cheaper solution on the horizon i will definitly reconsider but until then it is just another squelched idea.

[V8Cobrakid]

20 years..yeah. Same math here. But the next 20 or so years with energy prices inflating would be pretty sweet.

I've priced it.. though.. and can't fully bring myself to actually making that purchase. Maybe in another year or two when this house is "complete" then i could tinker with solar panels.

[Bob Allen]

Originally posted by Jack 06@Dec 9 2005, 10:59 AM
I got prices and almost committed last year.  But, even with a decent CA subsidy and anticipated savings, I couldn't make the numbers come out---mainly because no realtors around here could give me any assurance I'd see any increased value from my home when it came time to sell.

Now I see there's been a "breakthrough" in the construction of panels, someone having found a way to substitute a newly-developed plastic for much more expensive silica.  (The announcement of this was about 8 months ago.)  I still haven't seen anything about any companies going into production with this "new model".  Maybe it was another "cold fusion".

Anyway, wondering if any PCers have a full-blown system, or even partial (including just for a pool), and what your experience has been.

[snapback]170497[/snapback]

From the outset, I tell people that if you are looking to solar ONLY to save money, you will wait a long time to recoup your costs. We knew going in that the return on the investment would be about 10-15 years. We did it for environmental reasons, primarily, although the money saved on the electric bill somewhat balances out the payment on the home equity loan we used to pay for it. Solar is our big middle finger at Bush's patholgical inaction on global warming.

Maybe in California, real estate people aren't thinking about energy, but I would differ. If energy costs continue rising, and they most assuredly will as we run out of most of the energy sources readily and cheaply available, a house with solar and other energy saving features will definitely sell for more. One agent told me that a full system (2kw and up) is the equivalent in resale value to adding another bathroom or major remodel. Think of solar this way: you are paying a fixed fee NOW for energy you will use in the future. If energy goes up per kilowatt hour, you will already have paid for it.

In January of 2005 we commissioned our 2.1 kw photovoltaic system; in the previous November, we commissioned our solar water heating system. This is in Seattle, mind you, with less hourly sunlight than most of the country. The system is worth it, both for the energy cost reduction and the satisfaction of doing something pro-active about global warming rather than grousing about Bush's breathtaking indifference to same.

Our house is all electric, so the energy produced by the solar units affect our whole energy profile. Results: The winter bills last year dropped about 30%. The summer bill dropped a whopping 90%. Our electricity bill for July-August of 2005 was twelve dollars.....that's TWELVE dollars. six dollars of which was for the service charge on the account, which means that we used a total of three dollars worth of city electricity for each month.

Going solar is great, but you should make sure your house is energy efficient to begin with before you commit the funds for photovoltaics. Replace out your refigerator, washer and dryer if they're more than five years old; use compact flourescent bulbs where possible, and connect appliances that have remote controls, to power strips so you can turn them off. We found 200 watts/day of phantom electrical useage from computers being left on, from extra clocks, and from applicances that stay on even when you turn them off, like TVs with remote control.

I'd be happy to share our experiences with you off line.

Bob

[darelldd]

Oh good... something I know something about before my Prius comes in.

First off, yes, I have solar. I use it to power my home AND my car. Here are some details and pictures: http://www.darelldd.com/ev/solar.htm

And in my case, it was a no brainer. The short story:
I refinanced my home, and took the extra money out to install the solar. My extra loan payment for the solar comes out to about $70/month. For that payment, my solar lowers my power bill by about $75 on average. So this system literally cost me nothing, and I'm *making* $5 per month while I have almost eliminated my gasoline bill. With Time of Use metering, my solar system covers my entire household electricity usage AND the power for our EV that drives 10-12k miles per year. I can't afford NOT to have solar.

YMMV.

I only wish I could power a plug-in Prius with solar. Being forced to use gasoline to charge my batteries is a bit of a bummer for me.

[Catskillguy]

Originally posted by Jack 06@Dec 8 2005, 10:59 PM
I got prices and almost committed last year.  But, even with a decent CA subsidy and anticipated savings, I couldn't make the numbers come out---mainly because no realtors around here could give me any assurance I'd see any increased value from my home when it came time to sell.

Now I see there's been a "breakthrough" in the construction of panels, someone having found a way to substitute a newly-developed plastic for much more expensive silica.  (The announcement of this was about 8 months ago.)  I still haven't seen anything about any companies going into production with this "new model".  Maybe it was another "cold fusion".

Anyway, wondering if any PCers have a full-blown system, or even partial (including just for a pool), and what your experience has been.

[snapback]170497[/snapback]

Same here... Suprisingly, New York Offers great subsidies. Combined with Federal Incentives, it would bring the cost of a $10k system down to about $2500. But like you said, at current prices, it would never make back the price. Of course, that is not the only reason for installing. There is the ability to have some power in the event of disruptions in the grid, environmental benefits, etc.

Say a $10k Cost for a 1 KW system
NY State Tax Credit (25% of Cost)
Fed. Tax Credit (30% of Cost)
NYS Rebate $4 a watt ($4,000 for a 1kw system) This is paid directly to a certified installer, so the 'cost' for the system is $6,000

NYTC $1500
Fed TC $2000
Net cost $$2500

(I am not an accountant & these numbers are not meant to be an accurate representation and should not be relied on. Void where prohibited, not valid in States that begin with the letter Z , see your tax advisor, etc etc etc)


Based on my electric costs, I would save $100 a year. You can see the 'numbers' aren't there... Of course, if utility prices keep going UP UP UP.....

[DocVijay]

We plan on doing this in a few years. I've decided on using Solar Slates, and also plan on getting enough to power the entire house. Unfortunately this will run about $30k (before any incentives, etc).

As for an increase in home value, I think it's rediculous for htem to say there won't be a significant value added. Just imagine the buyer being told, "Oh, by the way, you won't have an electric bill in this house!" Somehow I think that is worth some extra cash on the asking price. Will you get every penny you put into it? No, probaly not, but you will surely get a good portion.

[notsure]

We are commiting to a 20k system, lg house, pool, pond, work shop etc.
With extreme care biggest bill last year was $320 summer. Sitting about 220 right now.
Working the numbers gives us a 10-12 yr pay back (we hope to out live that time frame) All electric home in AZ with power company struggling which usually means they will be raising the rates. Asking for a 20% increase this year. Have a pass thru rate approved by the commission last year (if fuel goes up that makes the elec they can pass thru the cost immediately)
Our elect co subsidizes $4/kwh, fed tax credit of 2000 state 1000

Still mentally struggling with the cost of the system..................

We do have solar hot water (love it) and solar pool (heats ok)

[Godiva]

I *really* want solar panels but I just can't afford the up front costs for an undetermined and unreliable rebate from the government.

I am determined that when my hot water heater goes I will put in an on demand system. I think I can swing the $1000 for that. But I just can't afford the $20,000-$30,000 up front for solar. Really too bad because my roof is the perfect pitch and orientation.

If they every do come up with a significant reduction in cost without a significant reduction in effectiveness maybe someday I'll be able to afford if. But if it's not within 10 years I never will. I'll be retired and on a fixed income by then.

[arniesalsared]

Originally posted by notsure@Jan 18 2006, 11:01 PM
We are commiting to a 20k system, lg house, pool, pond, work shop etc.
With extreme care biggest bill last year was $320 summer. Sitting about 220 right now.
Working the numbers gives us a 10-12 yr pay back (we hope to out live that time frame) All electric home in AZ with power company struggling which usually means they will be raising the rates.  Asking for a 20% increase this year. Have a pass thru rate approved by the commission last year  (if fuel goes up that makes the elec they can pass thru the cost immediately)
Our elect co subsidizes $4/kwh, fed tax credit of 2000 state 1000

Still mentally struggling with the cost of the system..................

We do have solar hot water (love it) and solar pool (heats ok)

[snapback]192916[/snapback]

NOTSURE: We're having the same discussion and probably have the same situation as you. And in fact live in Mesa, would like to discuss off line. Call me if you can 807-9391
Arnie