Solar Power around the KC area ***MEGATHREAD!!!!***

[Mephistopheles Janx]

Wondering if anyone here had any first hand experience in getting solar panels installed onto their home, cost, upkeep, value (are you now independent of the energy co or supplemented by), and if there is anyone you would recommend here locally for that kind of work.

I have a beautifully pitched metal roof that looks east and west with nothing to keep the sun from pounding away at the panels on the roof other than clouds. I'd like a system with a battery bank that can handle about 1,500 kWh per month but can draw from the pole if needed.

TIA!

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

We're getting a 17.6kWh system installed in our new build which should offset 95-ish percent of our use along with EV charging.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Panels+Install+Converter that allows us to use energy directly from the panels when the grid fails: $52,000

City rebate for solar install: $0.50 per watt, which ends up being about $8800
Federal tax credit for solar install:30% subtracted from the cost of the system minus the local/state rebates: ~$13,000

Total cost of the system after credits/rebates is just a touch over $30,000.

Now, on top of that, the city will give me a $15,000 loan for solar install at 1% interest if I pay it back within three years. Given the rate of inflation, it makes more sense to take out that money than to pay it in cash.

By most projections, I should pay the system off around year 6-7. If the cost of energy increases at the traditional rate of slightly less than 4%, I'll save around $100,000 in energy costs over the life of the panels. If the price of energy never changes (LOL), I'd save about $30,000.

On top of that, the city uses net metering that pays me back at the retail cost of electricity rather than wholesale, so before I get the EV, we should bank sizeable credits to offset reduced capacity in the winter months, and because we're installing an air source heat pump, our electricity cost is billed at a lower rate by the city.

On top of that, solar panels increase property values by around 4-5% in most areas, so if we ever sell the house, we'll have extra equity there as well.

The federal tax rebate is 26% for this year and it will go down to 22% for next year. Where are you getting that 30% figure?

[GROB]

Buying Solar on a loan is not a good decision. If you plan on selling your house do not get solar and I repeat do not have a loan for Solar. Honestly just say jo to solar.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by Rainbarrel

Need grass roof for dog to keep away squirrels and drones

Seriously I could see the Squirrels being a problem, they mess with just about anything left outside here.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

I've looked at stuff for 5 years, and I just can't find any way to get an ROI that makes any sense.

The property I bought has an existing mobile home and water well on it, and I just ran a line from the new house to the well, and it's on its own meter. $27/month (the minimum) and I just consider it my water bill.. The primary residence averages about 25KWH/day, completely dependent on the temperature outside. My highest combined bill in the 5 years I've been here is just under $160 (last month). I've been told that my electric coop gives credits, so assuming I can net a $0 cost electric bill per year, my installation payments are still going to be higher than my electric bill.

Damn, my bill is around $400 to $500 in the summer and $275 to $375 in the winter.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

I've looked at stuff for 5 years, and I just can't find any way to get an ROI that makes any sense.

The property I bought has an existing mobile home and water well on it, and I just ran a line from the new house to the well, and it's on its own meter. $27/month (the minimum) and I just consider it my water bill.. The primary residence averages about 25KWH/day, completely dependent on the temperature outside. My highest combined bill in the 5 years I've been here is just under $160 (last month). I've been told that my electric coop gives credits, so assuming I can net a $0 cost electric bill per year, my installation payments are still going to be higher than my electric bill.

That's a fairly reasonable bill, I'd only suggest looking into a possible ROI at $200+ per month honestly.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Damn, my bill is around $400 to $500 in the summer and $275 to $375 in the winter.

If you'd like, I'd be happy to show you your max savings potential with solar.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you'd like to explore it further.

You would like save a great deal.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by GROB

Buying Solar on a loan is not a good decision. If you plan on selling your house do not get solar and I repeat do not have a loan for Solar. Honestly just say jo to solar.

A loan is not always the best option bc of exactly what you stated here. However, you would get the benefit of the tax rebate.

The newer programs are much better IMHO:

As simply as I can state it the solar company essentially replaces your current electrical provider. Your new bill will be approx 25-50% the cost of your current avg monthly bill. As a reference electrical rates have gone up between 4.6% - 14.6% each year over the last 25 years, but this program typically provides a fixed rate with no annual increases or a 2.9% annual increase depending on qualifications. There is NO $ down, the company will install the panels complimentary, fully maintain the equip under warranty for 25 years, and even upgrade your electrical panel or patch any minor roofing issues complimentary if needed during installation. Under this program if you wanted to sell the house the solar panels just stay with the home and transfer to the new owner. The panels are actually an attractive buying feature at that point and could increase the sale price of your home. After 25 years they're no longer under warranty, but will provide electrical at 0 cost if maintained. You're basically just swapping energy providers to a more efficient service provider.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Lzen

The federal tax rebate is 26% for this year and it will go down to 22% for next year. Where are you getting that 30% figure?

Part of the new bill that just passed the Senate. 30 percent off for the next 10 years

[KCUnited]

As a recent home buyer, existing solar was a deal breaker just due to the overcomplication of the whole process. Obviously different areas differ but holy **** everyone around here is either a realtor or a solar rep which seemed like a red flag.

I'd like to explore it on my own at some point but not within the decision making time constraints of a home purchase with all the other variable in play.

[neech]

Whichever solar company has the best flyer and sales pitch wins the contest.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

As a recent home buyer, existing solar was a deal breaker just due to the overcomplication of the whole process. Obviously different areas differ but holy **** everyone around here is either a realtor or a solar rep which seemed like a red flag.

I'd like to explore it on my own at some point but not within the decision making time constraints of a home purchase with all the other variable in play.

Out here in CA we had to start a Consumer Protection Agency to prevent up-sellers and shady characters from complicating solar.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Part of the new bill that just passed the Senate. 30 percent off for the next 10 years

Nice!
Kinda sucks for me, though. I just got my panels up and running about 3 weeks ago. 26% is nice but 30% would have been much better.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Nice!
Kinda sucks for me, though. I just got my panels up and running about 3 weeks ago. 26% is nice but 30% would have been much better.

Anyone who installs in 2022 will get the full 30 percent. So you're good.

[Couch-Potato]

Several folks have contacted my via Private Message to learn more and I've responded with my contact info but CP doesn't show any "Sent Messages" so it's unclear if my replies are being received?

Happy to help.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

Several folks have contacted my via Private Message to learn more and I've responded with my contact info but CP doesn't show any "Sent Messages" so it's unclear if my replies are being received?

Happy to help.

Do you work in the industry? What is your company's name? I'm a little confused if you just like helping folks on the side or if you actually work for a solar co.