Grid-tied solar

[Loren49]

Here is an interesting analysis.

Report: Solar Is Cheaper Than the Grid in 42 of the 50 Largest US Cities : Greentech Media

Loren

 

[houstonscott]

Here is an interesting analysis. Report: Solar Is Cheaper Than the Grid in 42 of the 50 Largest US Cities : Greentech Media Loren

You know, Loren, on any other subject you yourself would never tolerate such a study and poo-poo it as nothing more then propaganda. The study conducted by the very people involved with green energy. What if I showed you a study declaring NG cheaper than solar, funded and conducted by NG industry. HS

 

[Loren49]

You know, Loren, on any other subject you yourself would never tolerate such a study and poo-poo it as nothing more then propaganda. The study conducted by the very people involved with green energy. What if I showed you a study declaring NG cheaper than solar, funded and conducted by NG industry. HS

HS
You're welcome to post that study and I'll look at it and see how they came up with the numbers. Did you read what I referenced before you criticized it? They calculated using the subsidies available in each area and projected output along with the cost of capital. What is the problem? Maybe it actually pays...many seem to feel it does as a good deal of solar is being installed.

This is the source:
NC Clean Energy Technology Center - Advancing Clean Energy for a Sustainable Economy
NORTH CAROLINA

Clean Energy Technology Center

Address:
1575 Varsity Drive
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27606

Mailing Address:
Campus Box 7409
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695

nccleantech@ncsu.edu



----I'm not going to wait for the NG company to publish a study showing that for the individual homeowner it makes good financial sense... I don't think I have enough time left on earth for that! :thumbsup:

Loren

PS - As I'm sure you noticed (sorry for the sarcasm) One of the Photos on their website is a truck with "this truck runs on clean natural gas" painted on its side.

This s what they do:
What We Do

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, at N.C. State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices, and policies.

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center serves as a resource for innovative, clean energy technologies through demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. It also administers the Database of Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a resource providing financial incentives and policies.

 

[John Dougherty]

Good luck! I put a Solar edge system in nine months ago (10Kw) and did it myself. Saved more than half, cost about $19k. Grid tie and working as I hoped. The Solar Edge Optimizers are definately something to consider for those of you out there thinking about it. I'm just a homeowner, no connection to the company. I subscribed to 'Home Power Magazine" for about a year before I did mine. Plus, I purchased the Dummies book for Solar Design. Both helped a lot. Then I had a company bid on my project to find out what size I needed. It's one of those industries that has basically a 100% markup in price. No offense to those who do this for a living, but it was more than I wanted to pay.

 

[SirReal63]

Here is an interesting analysis.

Report: Solar Is Cheaper Than the Grid in 42 of the 50 Largest US Cities : Greentech Media

It may be cheaper for many, but notice this little nugget at the tail of the article.

It's worth noting that the study assumes a 100 percent financed purchase at 5 percent interest over 25 years. Terms vary, but most loans are shorter, at ten to twelve years.


I suspect that not many people will qualify for a 5% fixed loan for 25 years, this also does not take into account the increase in property taxes that many face with improvements of this nature. You can bet if you had to get a permit for the installation, it will show up on your property taxes. I would be interested in seeing what the real numbers are for a 10 year loan with more typical interest rates for home improvement loans. I suspect it will change the validity of this article greatly. We paid outright for our setup but I know not everyone can do that.

 

[MossRoad]

I'll keep looking at it. But its gonna be hard to justify right now. Indiana has some pretty low electric rates while being the 9th largest consumer of electricity per capita. That means we have lots of power plants. That, coupled with the abundance of coal plants, our location at the crossroads of America (bazillion power transmission lines), several nukers nearby, natural gas burners, etc... which will keep rates lower for the foreseeable future, coupled with the clouds on this side of Lake Michigan gives me the feeling that this area will be one of the last in the country to see the fruits of solar power, subsidized or not.

But, I'll keep looking. I'd like nothing better than to be less dependent on local utility companies.

 

[SirReal63]

Grid tied with battery backup is the best way to remove some of that dependency but it comes with a hefty price tag. With traditional grid tied if the grid goes down so do you.

 

[Loren49]

It may be cheaper for many, but notice this little nugget at the tail of the article.

It's worth noting that the study assumes a 100 percent financed purchase at 5 percent interest over 25 years. Terms vary, but most loans are shorter, at ten to twelve years.


I suspect that not many people will qualify for a 5% fixed loan for 25 years, this also does not take into account the increase in property taxes that many face with improvements of this nature. You can bet if you had to get a permit for the installation, it will show up on your property taxes. I would be interested in seeing what the real numbers are for a 10 year loan with more typical interest rates for home improvement loans. I suspect it will change the validity of this article greatly. We paid outright for our setup but I know not everyone can do that.

The article also made this statement:
And in all but four of the 50 cities, solar is a better investment than the stock market.

These investment funds have the same costs whether used for solar or stocks.

Also many states have some level of property tax exemptions for renewables:
DSIRE: Incentives/Policies by State: : Incentives/Policies for Renewable Energy

Anyone who has money to invest could use some of the funds for solar. There currently are fixed rates under 5 percent if you have good equity in the hoe or a good down payment. Many would find that their payment on the loan would be considerably offset by the lowered or eliminated power bill. If they have a 10 - 15 year loan, after that time period they would have no loan or electric bill.

Certainly not for everyone and I suppose there is a saturation point for the grid but we're no where near that presently.

Loren

 

[SirReal63]

The article also made this statement:
And in all but four of the 50 cities, solar is a better investment than the stock market.

Loren

I suppose it is if you are basing that off of a 5% fixed for 25 years.

 

[houstonscott]

I suppose it is if you are basing that off of a 5% fixed for 25 years.

Funny, how when the details are examined the bias or slant is discovered in the favor of the industry doing the study. HS.