Opinions on Solar?

[CowboyStar88]

Looking to install Solar on the house. I've pretty munched entered into an agreement with SolarCity. I was curious what people have seen as far as bill reduction and did anyone so the battery backup? Here in LA with Earthquakes I'm considering adding it. Right now I'm paying almost 800 a month for electricity in LA. My house has to AC units to cool it down so it gets pricey

 

[MonsterD]

How long do you think it will take to pay it off? I have heard it takes 4 years or so minimum.

 

[CowboyStar88]

How long do you think it will take to pay it off? I have heard it takes 4 years or so minimum.

Not paying cash for it we are doing some program where we are locked in at a flat rate of .9 per KW here at LADWP the tiers start at .12 for tier 1 .16 for tier 2 and .19 for tier 3 it's pretty expensive

 

[Hoofbite]

800 month for electricity?

Wow.

 

[CyberB0b]

I don't think it's worth it long term, they aren't cheap enough yet.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I don't think it's worth it long term, they aren't cheap enough yet.

this...i keep waiting for all this new tech they said theyve developed to hit the market

 

[maxdallasfan]

I looked at a house that had solar panels on the roof. They buzz when charging. Also have to be replaced every so often, and if you need a new roof, then you are gonna pay big bucks to have them removed and reinstalled.

Here in the northeast people don't like them since they add a considerable amount of weight to the roof. Snow + lots of weight isn't a good mix.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't think it's worth it long term, they aren't cheap enough yet.

Didn't people say the same thing 20 years ago?

 

[CowboyStar88]

I looked at a house that had solar panels on the roof. They buzz when charging. Also have to be replaced every so often, and if you need a new roof, then you are gonna pay big bucks to have them removed and reinstalled.

Here in the northeast people don't like them since they add a considerable amount of weight to the roof. Snow + lots of weight isn't a good mix.

The warranty on them is lifetime and that includes roofing issues and they are insured for 2 million. It's costing me no money out of pocket unless I get the backup power system and that's only 1500. How they are making the money is they essentially become my utility company and I pay them a flat fee of .9 per KW. That's how the program works. It would drop my bill down about 500 bucks a month and if at night I need power I still draw off DWP but the cost would be minimal. However if I got the power system I probably wouldn't even use any power from DWP. Overall seems like a good deal. I'm just curious if the savings is really legit

 

[CashMan]

The warranty on them is lifetime and that includes roofing issues and they are insured for 2 million. It's costing me no money out of pocket unless I get the backup power system and that's only 1500. How they are making the money is they essentially become my utility company and I pay them a flat fee of .9 per KW. That's how the program works. It would drop my bill down about 500 bucks a month and if at night I need power I still draw off DWP but the cost would be minimal. However if I got the power system I probably wouldn't even use any power from DWP. Overall seems like a good deal. I'm just curious if the savings is really legit

What are you running, to have that large of a bill?

 

[Tabascocat]

What are you running, to have that large of a bill?

He is running two hamsters on a wheel supplying current to his homestead in Cali. He lives near where I was and electricity isn't cheap

 

[CowboyStar88]

What are you running, to have that large of a bill?

2 3tonne A/C units 2 Fridges Oven water heater Washer/Dryer TV's Fan's my gate opener 4-5 times a day Sump pump/sewer water drain and a spa

 

[Future]

I don't think it's worth it long term, they aren't cheap enough yet.

With all of the government subsidies and financing options available, they absolutely are. The initial cost is tough but over the course of owning a home they'll save you quite a bit. Say the installation costs 10 grand, and you save 100 a month, you'll pay them off in less than 10 years.

Part of the reason solar...and even wind, technology hasn't become more common in homes and communities is b/c coal lobbyists and legislators resistant to change. Even small solar and wind units could make a massive difference for individual homes and towns.

@CowboyStar88 Idk your particular situation, but you might want to also look into solar/wind hybrids. Even a small wind turbine - which doesn't even have to go on your roof - can make a big difference. In some areas, you can actually feed electricity back into the grid and they'll pay you for it, making monthly costs almost non-existent. I'd think LA would be a good place to look into that.

 

[Tabascocat]

2 3tonne A/C units 2 Fridges Oven water heater Washer/Dryer TV's Fan's my gate opener 4-5 times a day Sump pump/sewer water drain and a spa

I would be ecstatic for only $800 running all that where you are, sounds like a bargain

Here in Houston, our bill last month was near $600 and some friends thought that was ridiculous.......I thought it was cheap, considering coming back home from LA. Out there, the AC's are rarely used from Sep to May and only infrequently in the summer(just during the day) and the bills were still high. Not sure why though since the price per kilo was about the same.....one of my many mystery questions.

 

[TheDude]

Looking to install Solar on the house. I've pretty munched entered into an agreement with SolarCity. I was curious what people have seen as far as bill reduction and did anyone so the battery backup? Here in LA with Earthquakes I'm considering adding it. Right now I'm paying almost 800 a month for electricity in LA. My house has to AC units to cool it down so it gets pricey

The warranty on them is lifetime and that includes roofing issues and they are insured for 2 million. It's costing me no money out of pocket unless I get the backup power system and that's only 1500. How they are making the money is they essentially become my utility company and I pay them a flat fee of .9 per KW. That's how the program works. It would drop my bill down about 500 bucks a month and if at night I need power I still draw off DWP but the cost would be minimal. However if I got the power system I probably wouldn't even use any power from DWP. Overall seems like a good deal. I'm just curious if the savings is really legit

This sounds like a lease. Read this

http://www.npr.org/2014/07/15/330769382/leased-solar-panels-can-cast-a-shadow-over-a-homes-value

Im in Woodland Hills/Calabasas and I have never come close to to $800 in electricity and its not a small house.

 

[jrumann59]

Be careful, if you are still tied to public electricity, most likely you will be back feeding and you have to see if your local power company allows that and has a way of measuring that so you get proper credit. I know it Maryland there have been issues. I would also look into getting it and having it augment your power like use the solar panels and batteries for your high draw items or for critical items you want to be running during a blackout. I would also have transfer device installed so if for some reason your solar panels are non functional you can switch back to public power simply enough.

 

[CowboyStar88]

This sounds like a lease. Read this

http://www.npr.org/2014/07/15/330769382/leased-solar-panels-can-cast-a-shadow-over-a-homes-value

Im in Woodland Hills/Calabasas and I have never come close to to $800 in electricity and its not a small house.

You probably are not hitting the tiers to see higher bills. It is outrageous and only going to get worse as they are raising rates again. Unfortunately to run 2 3tonne units plus 2 furnace fans all day draws a ton of power. We hardly have any shade from trees so they doesn't help keep it cool.

 

[burmafrd]

I think you would be better off putting that money into a GAS Dryer, Water Heater, etc.

IF you do go solar get a backup generator rather than a battery pack. Cheaper and will last longer and will give you full capability depending on how big you go for the generator. You can pick one up for about $1000 (7000 watt) electric start. Does not cost much to have it wired in with a automatic switch that would start the generator up as soon as the line goes dead.

Solar is getting cheaper and cheaper to retrofit houses and there are all sorts of tax breaks, federal and state. Anywhere you get a fair amount of sunshine its probably a good idea.

Wind on the other hand is getting bad marks from PETA and company for dead birds. You really do not want those wacko's picketing your house. They are usually pretty scruffy and stink and will bring down your property value.

 

[CyberB0b]

The warranty on them is lifetime and that includes roofing issues and they are insured for 2 million. It's costing me no money out of pocket unless I get the backup power system and that's only 1500. How they are making the money is they essentially become my utility company and I pay them a flat fee of .9 per KW. That's how the program works. It would drop my bill down about 500 bucks a month and if at night I need power I still draw off DWP but the cost would be minimal. However if I got the power system I probably wouldn't even use any power from DWP. Overall seems like a good deal. I'm just curious if the savings is really legit

Sounds like a no brainer to me. Do it.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

How long do you think it will take to pay it off?

This is the right answer.

What's the math show?