Thinking about adding some solar power

[KTurner]

If we put up a 5,000 watt system on the roof at $5 a watt that is $25,000. I think the cheapest I have seen for installed systems in my area is $7 a watt for grid tie so no batteries. The batteries I have seen were very expensive and would have to be replaced at some point for even more money.

There are multiple sellers on ebay selling 5kw - 10kw turn key (you install) grid tie systems for about $2 per watt. That's an awful big difference in cost, even factoring in the installation cost. One of the places is located in Collinsville, VA, about 100 miles from the research triangle. That should be close enough to you so that pricing is similar. I'm curious why there's such a big difference...

Keith

 

[techman]

There are multiple sellers on ebay selling 5kw - 10kw turn key (you install) grid tie systems for about $2 per watt. That's an awful big difference in cost, even factoring in the installation cost. One of the places is located in Collinsville, VA, about 100 miles from the research triangle. That should be close enough to you so that pricing is similar. I'm curious why there's such a big difference...

Keith

Just be careful doing a DIY install. Some state and utilities may not approve, and/or the cash subsidies may not be available, unless it is installed by a "certified" installer.

paul

 

[NorTracNY]

I'd be curious about the way you did your system (professional install, self install, combo), the size, whether you sell power back to the grid at any times or not, etc.... Also, I'd be interested to know how long ago you did it and at what sort of a "price range" you were at with the final costs.

professional, they use different numbers (not sure which one you want) 6-8KW, yes in this state there is net metering, very recently, <6K.

 

[meburdick]

And, that's a grid-tie system, correct? So, you're supplementing your usage when sunny and consuming the "normal" rate when it's night time or cloudy... ? Are you able to sell power back to the utility company during the day, or is your usage over the level of what the system can produce? I suspect that my usage will be closer to at least double that value during the day.

 

[clemsonfor]

For those who put solar in and dont pay electric bills anymore (alien) how much did it cost you? I mean it must of cost $50k!

As for the OP what are your current electric rates?

 

[meburdick]

Your estimates for an "off grid" system seem appropriate. I've read a thread from a couple that built a new home in the mid-west and went off grid. He designed an excellent system (with panels, batteries, a large generator, water collection, etc) and it ran him somewhere in that neighborhood.

My rates are currently about $.14 / KWh. I have "choice" to change the producer of my electricity, but I will end up saving only about $.01 - $.02 per KWh, and that's only guaranteed for the next few months. After that, the prices could jump significantly with other providers and it's entirely up to me to watch the rates and decide if I want to switch to someone else.

 

[Lava Rancher]

If the grid is there and reliable I would always use it. I'm off grid and what people constantly under estimate is battery cost. With good maintenance your looking at a 7-10 year life cycle. For a normally wired house with gas cooking/drying/water heatinf you need a lot of storage for more than just a night. If you run a pool or hot tub or A/C it will be cost prohibitive. I run none of these and my minimal battery bank is around 5,000$. What I really need is nearer to 12,000$. If we have a really cloudy day my genny will come on. Grid tie in of solar makes some financial sense but disconnecting entirely will be pound foolish. My system generates about 10-15 kWH/day and powers a pretty conventional existence. Panels do not produce their stickered max wattage, figure 60%. Running w/o batteriea you might use all 60% but with a lot is lost as heat.