It varies by state. Electric rates from utilities are also a big variable - if you have really cheap electric, it may not pay.
Time of use doesn't matter. It is averaged over a year. Sometimes I'm sending some power TO the electric company, other times I'm drawing. It is the overall balance that matters over a year.
I don't remember what mine is off the top of my head, but it's not in the extremes on either side. I also use a lot of electricity has my house is poorly insulated and my A.C. runs almost all day during daylight hours, even when set to 80*
I pay the company that put up the panels for the electricity they produce. That is calculated to pay for the panels over 20 years. They get the tax and energy credits, I pay a lower rate for electric.
I beg to differ with you on what we like for power. What we object to is forcing the public to take your course of action. You did it the right way. You volunteered and I am quite fine with that. A great solar system has a power pack. Tesla markets some good ones. Then you do not need to buy power at night. See how helpful I am!!! I had a hunch the company got the tax benefits. So long as you don't mind helping the company that sold to you, I don't mind at all.
Exactly. I am still connected to the electric utility. There is a large panel of electronics that interfaces the solar array and the utility. Power for my house can come 100% from solar, 100% from the utility, or any mix in between.
Oh! I assumed that you owned them at the end of 20 years. But then they only used to have about a 20 year lifespan. I don't know about the new ones. But in 20 years the options will be so far advance that it won't be worth worrying about the old ones. I doubt they would have any significant value.
Virtually no chance to make money. Best you can hope for is to pay less for electric than you paid the power company for. If you have a system that is bigger than what you need and you overproduce electric, you have to pay solar company 11 cents/kWh, but electric company only has to pay you 6 cents for each kWh you send them, so you are losing a nickel for each kWh you overproduce.
I know they are working on roof shingles that are solar producers, but they are costly and not out yet. The life of solar cells has improved over those of 40 years ago, and prices are WAY less.
The wonders of modern electronics. SCRs, Triacs, Transistors, IGBTs [all components that can control high voltage and current] have some insane ratings these days. I recently needed a transistor for something ugly and found it was easy to get this little 1/4" x 1/2" transistor ( a TO220 case] to handle up to 200 amps. THAT is crazy. I couldn't believe it when I saw the spec. Modern long-distance power transmission is now exceeding 1 million volts for the same reason - high voltage, high current, solid-state devices. Solar benefits from this by making the smart grid economically feasible. Batteries were never practical. They are dangerous and expensive.
I guess with a new home, the roof carrying the extra load won't harm much. Maybe the roofing will last longer. That could be a benefit. I knew there was a catch to you getting one installed with you not out of pocket. The solar company stands to make profits. They used you to compete with the utility company. Not saying it is bad, but call it a spade.
Getting paid only 6 cents/kWh...it's buggery. And I bet they don't even give you a free jar of KY Jelly. What Is the Lifespan of a Solar Panel ? -> http://www.engineering.com/Designer...75/What-Is-the-Lifespan-of-a-Solar-Panel.aspx
Of course the solar company makes a profit - they wouldn't last long if they didn't. One unforeseen benefit - on a hot day, the attic seems a bit cooler - I think because it is "shaded" by the solar panels. I have a new house. They guarantee the roof for as long as the original manufacturer did. Each panel - about 2' x 4' - only weighs about 20 pounds, they were strong enough that the installers walked on them!!!
Yes but there is a peak maximum economic efficiency of the system. If you don't use the power when it is available, you are paying 5 cents for the power not used, and paying for that again at night at a much higher rate when you do use it. So you are paying 16 + 5 = 21 cents for every available KWH sold to grid and then bought back later that night. You only pay 11 cents if you use it during the day. Or did I miss something?
The most I pay is 16 cents kWh, from electric company. The arithmetic is done averaging a years use - in summer I'll produce more than I use, in winter I'll draw from power co. It is the net difference (Need - solar production) that determines what I pay the power company. What I pay the solar company is for what the panels produce, on a monthly basis. The electric utility is like a power "bank" - I deposit and draw from it.
Yeah it's a scam if you go with the lease purchase option. He paid for the system, and the electric company makes all the profit.
The solar cells produce DC power. There is a large panel with electronics - inverts the DC to AC and has a readout of the frequency 59.85 Hz (essentially 60 cycles/sec that is the standard). Also shows how much power the panels have produced in a scrolling readout. It is connected to my home WiFi and notifies Solar company of what has been produced (to bill me) and if there are any problems.
Had solar people bombard me for a while since my house is ideal for solar. What shut them up was this convo: Me: So I have all these panels on my house now. If the power goes out and the sun is beaming on my house can I use the power on tap? Solar lady: No Me: Then I have no use for them. Haven't hear from any of them since. And believe me, I am interested but IMO the only one's that are making out right now are the solar scammers, not the homeowner. And from all the research I've been doing on them leasing is a bad deal for the homeowner. Too many negatives. Till you can 1. Use it on tap and 2. store the power solar is about as useful as sandpaper toilet paper. When this happens I will own them, not lease. Just as long as it makes me less dependent on local power.
You make no sense - but it's your choice. You can buy an "off the grid" solar system with battery pack, but it isn't cheap.
It makes perfect sense. Why bolt something onto my house I cannot use? Or to put it in another way, why bolt something onto my house that benefits everyone else but me? If I read your post correct, if you make to much power YOU pay? WTF is that about? Correction on your quote. I've seen the details of leasing. The only way the homeowner wins is if you never sell and the sun always shines.
I hav ethought about putting some solar pods in my backyard, but I really don't think they would be worth the investment. I definitely wouldn't put any on my roof.
Over a year, yes, if I produce more than I use, I essentially pay a nickle /kWh - because of the laws favoring the power company. They can charge me 16 cents a kWh, but only have to give me 6 cents when I supply power to them. I do not see it as a big factor, as my system is sized for my historical usage, and a nickle a kWh takes a lot of kWhs to make me worry about it.
Welcome to the club. We're stand-alone here, so not answerable to anyone but the sun. Costly to set up, and a bit of maintenance though.
Well I hope so. The power company with the complicit State is robbing everyone blind. Do you have a link?
