old school Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Got to love the Cray Cray science.... I just met with my solar contractor for my home system. Very exciting. Not the same amount of sun as New Mexico here on the coastal plain, but plenty for my needs. . CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 I have heard that theory (from Republican "scientists") that there is only so much the sun can put out and if we collect it with all these solar arrays there might not be any more sunlight left for all the other purposes. See, it must be true because I read it on the Internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Or, I knew it was true - because it wasn't in the newspapers (I quote a UFOlogist) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Duffy Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Two things I just found by researching: SCE - Southern California Edison has used up all it's incentive budget - so you get nothing from them for Solar installation. The Federal Tax Rebate of 30% is good through the end of 2016, and includes installation cost. (unlike other home energy efficiency rebates, which are materials only) In southern California, there are a bunch of companies being aggressive (direct phone calls) in pushing Solar leases - they own the equipment, get the tax rebate and all the income from generated power, but you pay a reduced electric rate for all your consumption from that point on. It's a complicated formula to know if it's worth it. With system costs coming down with newer PV technology, I think it's safe to wait a bit. My main concern is what happens if you need to do roof work - you don't own the equipment that sits in between you and your roof, so can you touch it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryF Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Two things I just found by researching: SCE - Southern California Edison has used up all it's incentive budget - so you get nothing from them for Solar installation. The Federal Tax Rebate of 30% is good through the end of 2016, and includes installation cost. (unlike other home energy efficiency rebates, which are materials only) In southern California, there are a bunch of companies being aggressive (direct phone calls) in pushing Solar leases - they own the equipment, get the tax rebate and all the income from generated power, but you pay a reduced electric rate for all your consumption from that point on. It's a complicated formula to know if it's worth it. With system costs coming down with newer PV technology, I think it's safe to wait a bit. My main concern is what happens if you need to do roof work - you don't own the equipment that sits in between you and your roof, so can you touch it? And since the voltages involved are 300+ Volts at 10 to 30 Amps, you may not want to touch it. Roof work is definitely going to involve the installer. Best, Larry F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudRaymond Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Good advice is do the roof work first. If you've been putting off replacing your roof, don't install solar. I installed it on a 50+ year concrete shingle roof that was 15 years old, so I figure I've got some time to plan my repairs. I'm not a fan of the leasing strategy. I think it's better to finance a purchase if you need to, but that's equal parts philosophical choice and financial calculation. If you end up selling your home, the solar system adds it's value to your home only if you own it. Bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I came down on the buying side of the options available. I think everyone has to weigh the whole thing out for what works best for them. I own my home so I want to own my solar generator as well. This is what works best for me at this point in time. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Harber Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 We bought in with a 4kW array in 2008 when there was a newly started incentive via DWP in LA. At the time, you had to go through one of their approved contractors who were on the expensive side, but we ended getting a little more than half of the cost rebated along with the tax incentives that came later. So easy, non-intrusive, and I feel like I'm helping this useful technology get implemented rather than standing buy the sidelines doing math and figuring out the break even point of my investment. Newer panels are cheaper, more efficient and generally better but I've been not polluting or paying much of anything for electricity for a good while now. One of the best decisions, other than marrying my wife, that I've ever made. Scott, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I think Apple has everybody beat: 20 MegaWatts at their plant in North Carolina, with plans to build more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I like what these guys are doing: They were able to successfully fund their IndieGogo Campaign, raising over twice as much as their original goal ($1 million dollars). Hope to see these out there soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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