Has anyone (here) installed solar panels for a home?
Solar panels
Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by JonC, Aug 20, 2020.
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My son had solar panels, with micro inverters, installed on his house and loves the system. I think the capacity was 4KW.
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Covenanter Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Our bungalow has solar panels installed before we bought.
Our electricity usage costs about £600 and we get a rebate for supplying the grid of £1700 annually. -
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I've been wondering about cost.
When I lived in Tennessee I worked on the HVAC systems of a commercial building. The guy ten rows of solar panels almost the length of the building. He said he paid 100K at the time but the cost was 600K (the government took care of the rest). He has sold back electricity for about a decade and only got the panels because of the subsidies that were available.
In my neighborhood many have these panels. I wondered how much they cost to have installed in relation to the return. I'm all for saving money, but I'm not much for spending more than I'd save. -
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In Texas, we have an abundance of natural resources to produce energy. Also, our own energy grid that can be isolated from all other states and self sustaining.
So far, in my immediate area, the cost compared to the return on investment is far to negative to be a sound investment.
Oncor doesn’t offer credits or buy back energy added to the grid in our area.
However, if I were young, building a house, I would have:
Ground source heat pump,That way the expense would be at least part os the amortization.
Solar panels,
DC lighting,
Rain water cistern for irrigation,
And (in this area) a subterranean storm storage shelter with periscope.
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From what I have read production of the panels cost more in resources and energy than they provide. So I guess it would depend on the ability to produce power that can be bought back (I do not know if that is possible here, I doubt it with a residential application anyway), and the cost to the individual (tax incentives and subsidies).
I'll have to check on it. -
I think after subsidy, the cost of their 4KW system was about $17,000. They save an average of 150/mo in electrical costs, so the payoff (neglecting interest if financed) is about 10 years. If the design life of the system is also about 10 years (and I do not have any idea how long they really last) then the investment seems a push. On the up side of course, you would have some daytime power (and if the more expensive battery storage is provided) night time power independent of the grid. The Democrats nearly destroyed the private electric companies in California by requiring they buy high and sell low. So the future if the Marxists gain control might argue in favor of solar.
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Batteries are the big ticket items for the backup system I've imagined, one capable of running a refrigerator/freezer, some lighting, and do some charging.
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We got solar because our city power costs went up 6 percent every year for the past three years. Love getting that 10 dollar power bill when I have been running my ac all summer.
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Well no kidding? You didn't pay for the land or the equipment, why would you think your bill would go down? -
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I wonder if they help the roof last longer (a barrier over the shingles).....or if they somehow adversely affect the roof. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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