Anybody here got Solar ? If you do, Do you like it ?
- Thread starter tc1959
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I have a single panel I ocassionally use when camping to power/charge my ham radio kit/deep cycle battery but that's just awesome. keep us up to date if its "worth it" in the short/long run. looks like a pretty big install.
the wife and I have talked a little about doing a few panels, but nothing too serious yet... keep us in the loop if it's worth the trouble or not. you can always read articles that praise them, but I like getting the real feedback.
Solar is ONLY good if it works when the power goes out.
Which most do not.
So no battery backup....it's a waste.
Which most do not.
So no battery backup....it's a waste.
I researched solar as well, but after all the "hidden fees/costs" they don't tell you about, I conservatively calculated about 8 to 10 years return rate on the equipment and installation costs based on what we're paying today. While nobody could predict future electrical prices, I honestly don't think we're going to be in this house by then, so we might be paying more for less, and then probably having to replace the battery bank by then even if we just got the sealed lead/acid batteries instead of the pricier lithium. And that's WITH the gubmint cost savings.
When Solar was new there were plenty of incentives to buy and you could recover the cost in a relatively short time. After that since you owned it the power you made over your own usage you sold back to your local utility. Now most of those incentive have expired and the cost is prohibitive. Enter the Solar leasing companies. Just like leased cars, you are leasing the equipment and never owning it. The power you make after your own usage is still sold to the utilities but the leasing company gives you only a fraction of the return. So you are actually leasing equipment that is mounted on your property and making money for them instead of you. The best is the idiots they send around trying to convince you to sign up. If my roof does not face the Sun, and cannot produce maximum power, why in the world would I get involved with this? Because they lie to you . They make money on you no matter what. I know this because my neighbor is a salesman for one of this outfits and he admits that it is not really to your advantage as much as it is to his company.
Unless that "idiot salesperson" is really cute. I'm a sucker for green eyes and red hair, and she got me while in a Home Depot. I blocked the consultation call with the company, though.
Saskpower has a program here. I know one house in Melville and their son on the Farm has two huge panel setups. During the Summer his meter will run backwards on Sunny days. Winter here is killer, so you better hope for many Sunny Summer days. They say they can withstand big hail as well.
I have a small (5 watt, I believe) solar panel for my gate opener. Works really well, and it's a good thing because the closest electric is over 600 feet away.
Only downside I have seen is if it rains for a week, the battery won't always have enough charge left to operate it. Only been once in 5 years
Only downside I have seen is if it rains for a week, the battery won't always have enough charge left to operate it. Only been once in 5 years
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