Solar Advice

[mrzuzzo]

It always amazes me how many solar panels I see placed in terrible spots that will generate very, very little electricity in the winter, being on northern facing roofs.
Then there are the trees that grew up or already existed that would cut down on at least 50% of their power generation.

This is really good advice. Make sure your roof is pointed in the right direction and there is no shade. Otherwise, you're throwing money to the sun.

Also, I don't think solar adds a ton of value to a home, so it only makes sense if you're planning to keep it long-term.

 

[FLH03RIDER]

As other's mentioned, direction/angle/obstructions are key issues. "Solar" leases can become a real problem for the buyer and seller of the home. What would it cost you to buy out the lease?

Also, what type of roofing do you have and how old is it? Has the roof been re-roofed already? Meaning a new roof was installed over the existing roof. Depending on scope, weight of adding panels may be concern. Is your place going to need a new roof in the next couple of years? If so, may want to consider waiting until that's completed first.

Yes, there are "solar" companies that will say they can do both, but get a couple estimates for just the roof first.

In closing...
A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.“ (Steve Martin)

 

[usedtobefast]

I got the LG battery backup. I wouldn't bother with the battery unless you live in an area with lots of outages. The math doesn't really work in your favor and it's one more thing to break down the road.

I thought the idea of the battery is when the system is producing more electricity than using, it charges your battery ... then later (sun gone down), it uses the battery power vs. PG&E. So it allows storage/usage to further reduce the need for PG&E electricity.

I guess you are saying you pay so much for the battery system that the small amount you save over PG&E doesn't really pay for the battery system?

 

[Climber]

I thought the idea of the battery is when the system is producing more electricity than using, it charges your battery ... then later (sun gone down), it uses the battery power vs. PG&E. So it allows storage/usage to further reduce the need for PG&E electricity.

I guess you are saying you pay so much for the battery system that the small amount you save over PG&E doesn't really pay for the battery system?

Without a battery and the circuits that come with it, when your power company feed goes down it also takes down your solar power.

So, you may have solar, but your power goes out with everybody elses.

 

[mrzuzzo]

I thought the idea of the battery is when the system is producing more electricity than using, it charges your battery ... then later (sun gone down), it uses the battery power vs. PG&E. So it allows storage/usage to further reduce the need for PG&E electricity.

I guess you are saying you pay so much for the battery system that the small amount you save over PG&E doesn't really pay for the battery system?

That's correct. When you are overproducing solar it goes to the grid so you are using PG&E as an unlimited battery anyway, it's not like any power ever goes to waste.

Depending on your usage you do end up offsetting peak usage with the battery but it usually isn't worth it financially since the battery adds a ton of upfront cost.

 

[mrzuzzo]

Without a battery and the circuits that come with it, when your power company feed goes down it also takes down your solar power.

So, you may have solar, but your power goes out with everybody elses.

Yep, but OP lives in the city so probably not something worth considering.

 

[CDONA]

An RV needs to run on batteries, my solar is proportioned to six 100 w panels and an 2K inverter, 2 200 amp Li batteries.
Overkill to run a furnace overnite as originally designed, but actually run the place for a couple of foggy days.

Independence from the grid, priceless

 

[mlm]

That's correct. When you are overproducing solar it goes to the grid so you are using PG&E as an unlimited battery anyway, it's not like any power ever goes to waste.

Depending on your usage you do end up offsetting peak usage with the battery but it usually isn't worth it financially since the battery adds a ton of upfront cost.

It depends. I haven't done the math on it (and I wouldn't trust the vendor's), but time of use plans can be gamed so you're charged double for the power you take out vs what you put in. With more solar on the grid I think you can expect power during peak solar hours to start getting cheaper and at least double when the the sun goes down. Already have seen PG&E extend peak use hours by a couple hours into the evening.

At some point in the near future I'm guessing it will be cost effective.

 

[mrzuzzo]

It depends. I haven't done the math on it (and I wouldn't trust the vendor's), but time of use plans can be gamed so you're charged double for the power you take out vs what you put in. With more solar on the grid I think you can expect power during peak solar hours to start getting cheaper and at least double when the the sun goes down. Already have seen PG&E extend peak use hours by a couple hours into the evening.

At some point in the near future I'm guessing it will be cost-effective.

It might still be more cost-effective to oversize the solar system. But who knows, the rates are always changing. If they greatly reduce the cost of off-peak while increasing the rate of peak electrical, the battery might make sense.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I’m
Not selling anytime soon but that’s one reason I want to own it and not lease it. You can just sell it with the house.

 

[berth]

Yep, but OP lives in the city so probably not something worth considering.

I live near the foothills, surrounded by houses, streets, scrub brush and chaparral. But my power grid is on the Public Safety Power Outage list. And we get lots of wind here, so that's my motivation for a battery system. Been here just over a year and have already had 5 days of loss power.

As charming as it was to listen to a World Series game on an AM radio curled up on a couch in the dark last year, having to cram my freezer full of dry ice and such wasn't fun at all. Plus no hot water (tankless) or heat (gas heater, but electric ventilation).

Having your power go out because a drunk smacks a light pole is one thing, but out here, power outages are policy, so...batteries to go along with my solar.

I considered a generator, the batteries were competitively priced, less headache, and we could use the system "every day" (or, night even) vs once in a blue moon with a generator.

 

[mlm]

It might still be more cost-effective to oversize the solar system. But who knows, the rates are always changing. If they greatly reduce the cost of off-peak while increasing the rate of peak electrical, the battery might make sense.

Yes, I was going to mention that because it is probably the cheaper option. Just depends if you have enough roof space

 

[scootergmc]

Being you're in the city, I would want an independent assessment done to determine feasibility and cost assessment. I don't know if such companies exist but I do know every solar company will tell you every location is good for solar and ROI is always less than 5 years.

Everyone I know who has leased solar regrets leasing, all have said the ROI was a complete shell game scam, but they've all been happy to see that instant gratification monthly reduction in their power bills.

 

[Starpower]

I'm a retired solar contractor with 40 years experience and living off-grid for the same 40 years + (never had a power bill or outage!) You're a handy guy and I think the DIY approach with a well sorted kit would be a great option. Try these guys for a benchmark - https://sunelec.com contact them about grid-tie kits. Solid company, long history. You should enlist the services of a permit package prep company including the utility submittal. This paperwork is a nightmare and the needs are constantly morphing.
ROI claims are all over the place but bottom line - you would find it nearly impossible to get a better assured legal ROI on any investment out there. Whatever direction you go - Go Solar!

 

[Eldritch]

I’m
Not selling anytime soon but that’s one reason I want to own it and not lease it. You can just sell it with the house.

When putting in a leased system, it is pretty easy to put in an easement that transfers the agreement to the new property owner in the event of a sale. It is not a big deal. I'm doing that on about 20 buildings this year.

 

[Climber]

When putting in a leased system, it is pretty easy to put in an easement that transfers the agreement to the new property owner in the event of a sale. It is not a big deal. I'm doing that on about 20 buildings this year.

It's automatic. The new buyer HAS to take over the solar lease, along with the same solar contract. IT's a shitshow that reduces the value of the house because the lease payments go up by 2.9% every year, which means that the seller got cheaper payments than the buyer will have to inherit.

There is no happy endings with leased solar. It absolutely sucks, by design.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I'm a retired solar contractor with 40 years experience and living off-grid for the same 40 years + (never had a power bill or outage!) You're a handy guy and I think the DIY approach with a well sorted kit would be a great option. Try these guys for a benchmark - https://sunelec.com contact them about grid-tie kits. Solid company, long history. You should enlist the services of a permit package prep company including the utility submittal. This paperwork is a nightmare and the needs are constantly morphing.
ROI claims are all over the place but bottom line - you would find it nearly impossible to get a better assured legal ROI on any investment out there. Whatever direction you go - Go Solar!

Sounds like a huge amount of work and a pain. I don’t see myself being able to do this. My friend in Canada literally installs solar panels so perhaps if she could come here and run the project for me ...

 

[mrzuzzo]

Yes, I was going to mention that because it is probably the cheaper option. Just depends if you have enough roof space

Yes. Especially since the battery will add at least 10K to the project, although you'll get some of it back in credits and SGIP grants.

Being you're in the city, I would want an independent assessment done to determine feasibility and cost assessment. I don't know if such companies exist but I do know every solar company will tell you every location is good for solar and ROI is always less than 5 years.

Everyone I know who has leased solar regrets leasing, all have said the ROI was a complete shell game scam, but they've all been happy to see that instant gratification monthly reduction in their power bills.

I used this calculator that's provided by the government and it turned out to be pretty spot on in my generation estimates:

https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/

 

[Eldritch]

It's automatic. The new buyer HAS to take over the solar lease, along with the same solar contract. IT's a shitshow that reduces the value of the house because the lease payments go up by 2.9% every year, which means that the seller got cheaper payments than the buyer will have to inherit.

There is no happy endings with leased solar. It absolutely sucks, by design.

Depends on the deal I guess. In my deals, I pay nothing for installation, and I pay zero to lease the system. The agreement is based off of me agreeing to buy electricity from the Solar Panel owner at a rate lower than the rate of Electricity from the Local Utility.

It is nothing but win. No real cost to me, they maintain the system, and I get electricity at a discounted rate.

 

[Climber]

Depends on the deal I guess. In my deals, I pay nothing for installation, and I pay zero to lease the system. The agreement is based off of me agreeing to buy electricity from the Solar Panel owner at a rate lower than the rate of Electricity from the Local Utility.

It is nothing but win. No real cost to me, they maintain the system, and I get electricity at a discounted rate.

Interesting. So, you're providing a location for them to install the solar, they're selling you solar for less than you'd pay to PG&E.

Quite different from the residential solar contracts I've seen for individual homes.