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Solar Advice

Killroy1999 said:
I have been considering DYI solar like the vid below because its cheap and hassle free. Also called Ghetto solar - just plug it in. I don't think PG&E will net meter without a lot of paper work. Can anyone confirm?:teeth
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Yup. Do Yourself It. :twofinger :laughing
 
If it has software that prevents energy export to the grid then it is legal w/o utility permission and no permit if you simply plug it into an outlet.

There are DIY systems available that can do this. Modest bill shavings only, get even close to 50% of your consumption will find it disconnecting A LOT wasting energy and money.
 
Starpower said:
If it has software that prevents energy export to the grid then it is legal w/o utility permission and no permit if you simply plug it into an outlet.

There are DIY systems available that can do this. Modest bill shavings only, get even close to 50% of your consumption will find it disconnecting A LOT wasting energy and money.
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I think you would have to run the numbers to see if ROI is crap. Obviously, there are positives and negatives to not have net metering.

I'm in a townhome HOA, so I am hesitant to even ask to do solar.


Climber said:
Yup. Do Yourself It. :twofinger :laughing
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:loser:laughing
 
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The 2nd local company's quote was similar to the 1st but an inferior system. It's just not competitive.

Makes decisions a lot easier.
 
Killroy1999 said:
:laughing:loser

I think you would have to run the numbers to see if ROI is crap. Obviously, there are positives and negatives to not have net metering.

I'm in a townhome HOA, so I am hesitant to even ask to do solar.



:loser:laughing
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Always run the numbers but you should find at any scale the ROI is unbeatable. Any system that ends up under $4/Wdc is going to be very attractive.

Ca. Solar Rights Law prohibits an HOA from preventing solar, unless locating it to a place out of sight does not reduce output more than 10%. If "hiding" it from an optimum place takes a 10% production hit, you can put it on the front lawn. Can be a digging in the heels war with a BS HOA.
 
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Starpower said:
Always run the numbers but you should find at any scale the ROI is unbeatable. Any system that ends up under $4/Wdc is going to be very attractive.

Ca. Solar Rights Law prohibits an HOA from preventing solar, unless locating it to a place out of sight does not reduce output more than 10%. If "hiding" it from an optimum place takes a 10% production hit, you can put it on the front lawn. Can be a digging in the heels war with a BS HOA.
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I think I remember this law, but forgot.

Does Starpower = Solar power ?

I hope the cost is lower than $4/Watt installed:
"On a cost per watt ($/W) basis, a solar panel installation in California ranges in price from $2.48 to $3.36"

Let's run the first principle numbers for the DYI setup in the video.

$400/ 275 W = $1.45/ W

But, wait! With this DYI setup, you don't have net metering, so perhaps you are only shaving power use 1/2 the time, so let's rerun the numbers.

$400/ 138 W = $2.91/ W That still sounds good
 
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So after financially analyzed the final quotes I am going with the local company. They have much better reviews, slightly better technology, and its better value than Tesla Solar (not Tesla motors Solar). Plus they offered to install supports to angle the panels vs flat on roof to enhance the collection of light (at the cost of "aesthetics").

The break even would be around 5 years using the most conservative of calculations.

 
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HappyHighwayman said:
So after financially analyzed the final quotes I am going with the local company. They have much better reviews, slightly better technology, and its better value than Tesla Solar (not Tesla motors Solar). Plus they offered to install supports to angle the panels vs flat on roof to enhance the collection of light (at the cost of "aesthetics").

The break even would be around 5 years using the most conservative of calculations.

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I've always found that the added cost of elevating the panels is not a gain. Adding additional solar has always been more cost effective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but look terrible to me. Then there is the loss of some of the advantage of putting a sun, rain and hail shield over your roofing. The roofing under a solar array will last a REAL long time!

Have them quote you flush mount as well and run the numbers both ways. +/- 20 degrees on orientation is under 5% annual output. This is less than average soiling losses.

Tesla is doing price matching....
 
Killroy1999 said:
I think I remember this law, but forgot.

Does Starpower = Solar power ?

I hope the cost is lower than $4/Watt installed:
"On a cost per watt ($/W) basis, a solar panel installation in California ranges in price from $2.48 to $3.36"

Let's run the first principle numbers for the DYI setup in the video.

$400/ 275 W = $1.45/ W

But, wait! With this DYI setup, you don't have net metering, so perhaps you are only shaving power use 1/2 the time, so let's rerun the numbers.

$400/ 138 W = $2.91/ W That still sounds good
Click to expand...

The cost should be well under $4/W, just sayin' anything under that should beat any guaranteed ROI one can find.

Yep, Starpower = Power from our Star. 40 years doing solar work and not paying a dollar to a utility Co.
 
Starpower said:
I've always found that the added cost of elevating the panels is not a gain. Adding additional solar has always been more cost effective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but look terrible to me. Then there is the loss of some of the advantage of putting a sun, rain and hail shield over your roofing. The roofing under a solar array will last a REAL long time!

Have them quote you flush mount as well and run the numbers both ways. +/- 20 degrees on orientation is under 5% annual output. This is less than average soiling losses.

Tesla is doing price matching....
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- You can't see the roof from literally anywhere that's not an apartment building above. My house is three stories. I need to stand at just the right angle to even see my neighbor's panels from the ground

- They're not charging extra to angle the panels since it's a small job

- I'd not dealing with Tesla their setup was the same size but less powerful and their customer service has been poor.
 
HappyHighwayman said:
WHo covers it if the entire system is destroyed in a storm?
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Make sure you read the small print.

It should be them since it's their equipment and they'll install it.

However, solar companies weasel out of all kinds of things they should do with their contracts.
 
Climber said:
Make sure you read the small print.

It should be them since it's their equipment and they'll install it.

However, solar companies weasel out of all kinds of things they should do with their contracts.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure it's the homeowner. The installer isnt responsible for natural disasters.
 
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