Grid-tied solar

[Redneck in training]

Going solar is like buying all your electrical power for 25 years at onetime. For most that's simply not a choice. It's like saying paying cash for your house is much cheaper, true but most just can't. Solar designed into the home design from the start and rolled into a mortgage might make sense for many. Young people forging granite counters for solar makes more sense. HS

You can get second mortgage with low interest. In other words you pay for your electricity over time. It is also certain that cost of electricity will increase in the future and own energy generation will shield you from it to large degree.
In example one of the big utilities in Iowa wants to build a nuclear plant (using taxpayer money). It will certainly result in large (30%?) electric rate increase. In fact rate increase (unrelated to the nuclear plant) that will be phased in over next several years was approved in 2014.

Edit: The nuclear plant construction was abandoned.

 

[fordmantpw]

The investment for solar is 'breakeven' if the cost of electricity doesn't rise and stays exactly the same for the next 20 years. With the regulation of the power industry and the need for 'clean' coal, the cost of electricity is guaranteed to go up. Especially as these old coal plants are phased out or big money is spent to upgrade them. Not to mention the costs to secure a nuclear facility. Electricity has been really cheap for years, and the coming increase is inevitable. I consult for a large electric company in MO, and I have seen first hand some of the cost increases and the proposed rate hikes.

We are planning to add solar to cover about 90% of our electricity in the next couple years. Our plans are to go with about 60-70% of the panels late this year, then when we get our tax credit back next year, reinvest that into the other 30-40%. Should hopefully be less painful that way.

 

[Redneck in training]

The investment for solar is 'breakeven' if the cost of electricity doesn't rise and stays exactly the same for the next 20 years. With the regulation of the power industry and the need for 'clean' coal, the cost of electricity is guaranteed to go up. Especially as these old coal plants are phased out or big money is spent to upgrade them. Not to mention the costs to secure a nuclear facility. Electricity has been really cheap for years, and the coming increase is inevitable. I consult for a large electric company in MO, and I have seen first hand some of the cost increases and the proposed rate hikes.

We are planning to add solar to cover about 90% of our electricity in the next couple years. Our plans are to go with about 60-70% of the panels late this year, then when we get our tax credit back next year, reinvest that into the other 30-40%. Should hopefully be less painful that way.

I would go 100% this year because it is uncertain if the 30% tax rebate and state incentives will be extended and so far mortgage interest rates are low. Then invest the rebate.

 

[fordmantpw]

I do know that the 30% federal tax credit is good through 2016, and we don't have any state incentives (that I know of).

 

[Scooby074]

Tesla Bleeding Cash as Model S Hits Delays | New Car Pricing Insider Tesla Losses Tesla has racked up $1.3 billion in losses since 2008 and doesn稚 expect to break even until 2020. The carmaker has been blunt about the challenges and costs of high-volume manufacturing. In an earnings call with analysts on Feb. 11, Tesla CEO and co-founder Elon Musk said the company was going to 都pend staggering amounts of money as it delivers the first Model X SUV to customers this summer, builds the gigafactory for battery production and designs the Model 3 sedan, due in the second half of 2017. çš„f Apple is starting now it would take a couple of years to catch up to Tesla, said Ben Kallo, a San Francisco-based analyst for R.W. Baird. 摘ven after a car is designed, the competitors will have to source batteries in quantity and cost. Tesla is a couple of years ahead on this front. Thereç—´ another big challenge. This is a car weæ±*e talking about. After many decades of building cars, even the auto industryç—´ venerable players like Toyota and GM have stumbled at the seemingly simple task of making all of their vehicles free of safety defects. Yes, I do believe it, when you don't make money you go out of business. Looks like Apple might buy them with petty cash. Hope Apple doesn't get involved with products no one wants, like electric cars. HS

Launching a car brand is very expensive and full of hitches. "Bleeding cash" is to be expected.

 

[Tororider]

Launching a car brand is very expensive and full of hitches. "Bleeding cash" is to be expected.

Also, having debt doesn't necessarily mean bankruptcy.

 

[ultrarunner]

Word in the Valley and confirmed on tonight's news cast is Apple is considering acquiring Tesla...

Also....

Apple Looking To Acquire Tesla Motors [Report] - uInterview

 

[dave1949]

Also, having debt doesn't necessarily mean bankruptcy.

Being able to find funders for a new and growing business is a good sign. Out of all the others who would like access to those funds, the chosen recipient looks like the best choice of making some money, shares, percentage of ownership, whatever.

 

[dave1949]

Word in the Valley and confirmed on tonight's news cast is Apple is considering acquiring Tesla...

Also....

Apple Looking To Acquire Tesla Motors [Report] - uInterview

Oh crap. Here comes the iCar, the iBatt, ... :laughing:

I really don't see that as a good thing unless Apple is smart enough to stay away from the core engineering control.

 

[Loren49]

Tesla Bleeding Cash as Model S Hits Delays | New Car Pricing Insider Tesla Losses Tesla has racked up $1.3 billion in losses since 2008 and doesn稚 expect to break even until 2020. The carmaker has been blunt about the challenges and costs of high-volume manufacturing. In an earnings call with analysts on Feb. 11, Tesla CEO and co-founder Elon Musk said the company was going to 都pend staggering amounts of money as it delivers the first Model X SUV to customers this summer, builds the gigafactory for battery production and designs the Model 3 sedan, due in the second half of 2017. çš„f Apple is starting now it would take a couple of years to catch up to Tesla, said Ben Kallo, a San Francisco-based analyst for R.W. Baird. 摘ven after a car is designed, the competitors will have to source batteries in quantity and cost. Tesla is a couple of years ahead on this front. Thereç—´ another big challenge. This is a car weæ±*e talking about. After many decades of building cars, even the auto industryç—´ venerable players like Toyota and GM have stumbled at the seemingly simple task of making all of their vehicles free of safety defects. Yes, I do believe it, when you don't make money you go out of business. Looks like Apple might buy them with petty cash. Hope Apple doesn't get involved with products no one wants, like electric cars. HS

So you post an article from 2012!!!

Please don't ruin this thread. Let people peacefully discus some of the possibilities. Many of us know you are anti anything renewable.

Loren