Jim Nelson
Platinum Member
Eddie, batteries are optional and too expensive for me. The main advantage to them is you will have power without sun. I'm sure the panels will deteriorate in time but the normal warranty is 25 years so lifetime for me.
I take it you dont need ac in summer at your place. Man, i wish my house only took less than 500 watts per peak hour in summer.... never would happen here. How many batteries can a 7 kw system charge to generate power in the evenings?I soooo love my on grid 7kw even here in Maine. So much that we are even adjusting our useage around day sun generation. I even traded my charcoal smoker in for an electric smoker for convenience and free fuel. I also traded all my gas powered tools to battery for free fuel. All my lights will also be all LED soon. I just have two T8 flouescents I need to conver over as soon as I find a viable option.
I took advantage of the last year IRS was giving 30% tax return on mine, this year it is 26% and every year after will be reduced more until its gone. Dont go into lease is all I can say. Leasing is the biggest rip off since snake oil.
Today is cloudy and I am still generating 500 watts or more-my house is using 460 watts which means I am feeding 40 watts to the grid-on a complete overcastNot much but at least I am still using free electricity.
I am not bragging just pleasantly suprised for Maine solar generation. I had alot of negative comments from friends and family-said I was wasting my time and money with solar in Maine. I did do some research and found that 4.6 hours solar per day potential was worth the risk and money.
I also was not looking for an immediate return, just looking towards retiring and lowering home maintenance costs as much as possible. Solar is pretty much maintenance free and my warranty is 25 years.
I did get 30% back from IRS and used it towards more home improvement. My electric bill is 12.56 a month now because I have to pay for the meter and delivery charges no matter what. in summer I was paying 160 a month before the Solar
I also like the statistics I am keeping now thanks to the inverter and mobile app...so far this year I am getting 20% more sun than last year![]()
Couple TBN people with off grid / batteries / generator. I might consider it for my retirement house.
I take it you dont need ac in summer at your place. Man, i wish my house only took less than 500 watts per peak hour in summer.... never would happen here. How many batteries can a 7 kw system charge to generate power in the evenings?
I just got done doing work on a ladies generator on an off grid system. Man i wish i never got involved in it. She refuses to allow power from battery and inverters to travel back to generator to keep system charged as she says she runs out of lights in the evening if she does. Shes sunk over $40,000 into this system over the years and still has power issues . I tried a solar charger on generator battery, but still having issues of dead battery. I told her either let me feed generator charger or find someone else that may have a solution. I try to stay away from any off grid house as it has bern a pain in my butt for too many years. I guess one that is used on a house that is still powered by utilities wouldnt be as much of a pain.
I also had a call from someone that has a Solar system thats tied into his panel thru smoke and mirrors. But when he loses utility the battery system does not power the house. The installer told him on utility fed systems the batterys cannot power house if utility is off. I didnt want to get involved....beyond my pay grade. On a generator repair website i belong to there have bern several posts about this same issues. As far as i know there is no legal way around it as its a public utility issue. Oh well, thats for smarter brains than me. Besides, now im retired so i could care less
Couple TBN people with off grid / batteries / generator. I might consider it for my retirement house. Another guy just installed similar system, but is still grid tied, but can still produce solar if utility is out. Just depends on the system design.
Those guys that rent your roof for a few pennies off your monthly bill don’t install systems that benefit you, they are in it for their profit.