Started my solar project

[kenmbz]

Finally got my PTO in Monday. Right now with swamp coolers running I am producing more energy than consuming. BUT as temperatures and humidity goes up in the next couple of months and I have to switch to air conditioning I will fall behind. Based on my current production I should produce enough excess energy during the 9 cooler months to offset much of the summer consumption.

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Wow, nice clean looking install.

 

[orezok]

I love my 7kw system but I dont have the know how to do it myself so I paid $$ to have it installed. Took advantage of 30% tax break and savings from putting what I dont consume onto the grid and getting full credit for it. My neighbors are getting power from my plant

I live in Maine so I wont get what you get for full benefits.

Being a general contractor, I installed the whole system myself. I got several quotes before I started and they were in the $27K area. My 4.7 kW AC system (5.2 DC) is producing right at 30 kWh per day right now. My final cost was right at half that amount (considering no cost for myself). Payback should be about 4 years.

 

[radios1]

Being a general contractor, I installed the whole system myself. I got several quotes before I started and they were in the $27K area. My 4.7 kW AC system (5.2 DC) is producing right at 30 kWh per day right now. My final cost was right at half that amount (considering no cost for myself). Payback should be about 4 years.

"Several attractions and natural features are in the Calico Mountains. Calico Ghost Town, in Yermo, is administered by San Bernardino County." so you must live around there, which is why you had to get stupid permits for your own house..

 

[Carl_NH]

Nice install Orezok and 30KW a day is great for a 5KW system but you are in a prime generation region in CA . Like Cdaigle, we had our 7.2KW installed by a contractor - we used Revision Energy with a grid tie in Dec 2104 for the tax breaks, it was $26k total then and with rebates/ tax credits its a 9 yr ROI.

The best days in March and April we get 40KW, and average 7.2 7.4KW a year total, about 80% of our total usage.

 

[Grumpycat]

Being a general contractor, I installed the whole system myself. I got several quotes before I started and they were in the $27K area. My 4.7 kW AC system (5.2 DC) is producing right at 30 kWh per day right now. My final cost was right at half that amount (considering no cost for myself). Payback should be about 4 years.

That is my observation, that installers want 100% markup on components for a finished simple system.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Good money to be made installing solar. I was quoted $26K for a system that I could buy all the equipment and racks for $13K. Install would take 1 day.

 

[Roric]

I self installed a 20 panel (375watt), Solar-edge inverter, roof mounted array last year. Grid tied. Got permission to operate in mid November. We have produced 5.3 Mwh
(5300 kilowatt hours) since going online. The 3 estimates were running about $30,000. All materials totaled $14,000, a $4200 tax credit made the net price less than
$10,000 out of pocket. This is our "shakedown" year but calculations say we will produce 85-90% of our usage. Calculated payback point is 3 years 10 months.
As a retired electrician I found the install quite straightforward and simple. State inspection was trouble free. The absolute hardest part was dealing with the power utility.
(7.5k system)

Ron

 

[kthompson]

If only solar panels looked like trees...not knocking their use.

 

[Carl_NH]

I self installed a 20 panel (375watt), Solar-edge inverter, roof mounted array last year. Grid tied. Got permission to operate in mid November. We have produced 5.3 Mwh
(5300 kilowatt hours) since going online. The 3 estimates were running about $30,000. All materials totaled $14,000, a $4200 tax credit made the net price less than
$10,000 out of pocket. This is our "shakedown" year but calculations say we will produce 85-90% of our usage. Calculated payback point is 3 years 10 months.
As a retired electrician I found the install quite straightforward and simple. State inspection was trouble free. The absolute hardest part was dealing with the power utility.
(7.5k system)

Ron

In 2014 I researched the material costs and $16K for a 7.2KW (24 LG300W panels) with Solar Edge and roof rack mounts was the best price. The total was $26K and we got a $8K tax credit(needed vs paying the govt) and a $4K state rebate check. So total out of pocket was $14K.

If I would have done the install, and would still need an electrician, a roofer and helper install the racks, it would have been close to $20. With a $6K govt tax credit and $4K state rebate would have saved me $4K vs having them do it and warranty the roof, and system which I thought was reasonable. BTW it took 3 guys two days to install - total labor including electrical was 44 hours.

 

[Roric]

Up until now it paid off to be a procrastinator.
The price of solar panels has been dropping steadily.
But the federal tax credit is reduced a little this year and will go
away in years to come.
So...
if you are "on the bubble" on doing solar I suggest you go now or soon.
I find it looks to be good for the wallet (after the initial investment)
and they tell me it's good for the environment.
Monthly cash flow for utilities is less.
It's really cool to watch the numbers on a sunny day when the AC is blasting.