Anyone into solar power?
#7065274
11/27/20 09:08 PM
11/27/20 09:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,961 Indiana
Providence Farm
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,961
Indiana
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I have been intrested in solar for years but the upfront cost always stoped me. Due to having been quarantined 2times for covid exposure it looks like I can take some cash out of my 401 without the penalty. With Bidens environment and tax plans the markets will have to drop, and economy suffer as well.
So instead of taking the loss I can invest in a 10 kw grid tied system and have about a 8-10 year pay back. That should eliminate my electric bill except for in the summer wher I will still have about a $150 bill 3 months. Rates will only rise as well reducing pay back time.
It looks good on paper but I'm sure I'm missing something.
Last edited by Providence Farm; 11/27/20 09:09 PM.
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7065504
11/28/20 12:10 AM
11/28/20 12:10 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,845 Nevada
nvwrangler
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,845
Nevada
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My parents just bought a place that has a tesla solar system. The last ower still owed 40 grand on the system that they paid off. System works great but for those types of costs? Moms electric bill did hit $75 this summer but she keeps the house at 69 degrees. House is only 5 years old so the system is newer then that
Last edited by nvwrangler; 11/28/20 12:11 AM.
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7065515
11/28/20 12:28 AM
11/28/20 12:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,857 Magna, Utah
GritGuy
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,857
Magna, Utah
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Just got ours producing yesterday, awesome 11 kw system produces 110 precent of our needs, was 29 k But with state and fed rebates that end this month we will get back 10k next year at refund time, will turn that right ack on the balance and refinance a lower payment to pay off quicker
I waited till the panels produced more at less cost, took five years and then the rebates ending and or dropping where you live, was time to jump, my panels are German 3.25 generators 34 panels, install two days, waiting for net meter two months, got first six months paid for buying a large system and a 25 year full warranty ,,15 year Roof damage warranty as well, Ive already got credits building with even the use on home
I will be quad making payments to make my return only 8 years long, we have no regrets!!
Last edited by GritGuy; 11/28/20 12:30 AM. Reason: Info add.
Sorry if my opinions or replies offend you, they are not meant to !
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7065536
11/28/20 02:07 AM
11/28/20 02:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,939 east central WI
Dirty D
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,939
east central WI
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I have a 10kw system. Have had it since 2017. Also have a a battery backup, lead acid batteries, 48V. (8 6v batteries).
Our house is all electric tho we heat with wood. Have all the usual items and maybe more, 2 freezers, ERV, lift pump for septic, water softener, Iron filter Tho we use all LEd bulbs and our sump pump never runs. High efficiency water heater. Have a 900 sq ft work shop that is heated with a elec. boiler. Use the elec. heat in the house very little, only in early fall or late spring during cold snaps.
Our elec. bill runs approx $500-$800/yr. Develop credits starting in April and run that till Oct., so a solid 6 months of the year. We are only paid .04/kw for any power we produce over and above we pull from the grid. Know others that use different power co that get paid .014/kw and they do much better. If we got paid the same we'd only pay approx $150-450/yr total. Plus we have to pay a "co-generation fee" that costs approx $20/month.
Biggest downside to solar many do not realize is that most systems do not use the power they generate. Its sent to the grid. So when you have a power outage your solar has to be disconnected from the grid (done automatically with a box provided by power co.) so that lineman can't get fried. So even tho you have solar when the grid goes down your out just like everyone else.
Unless your system is setup to actually use the power you generate. When there is a battery backup there is a "program" that determines an order of operations for the generated solar. Ours is 1st charge batteries, 2nd supply power to house and last is send excess to grid. There is a also an order for running the house. 1st draw from solar, 2nd draw from grid and last draw from batteries. So at night when grid is down and no solar we run on batteries.
Our small battery backup is only good for approx 1 night. even at reduced usage. But next day it doesn't take long to get batteries charged. Maybe 2-3 hours of sunshine.
As far as payback, hard to tell. At our last house we spent approx $4000/ yr on power between electric, LP gas and occasional wood. So we are saving approx $3200-$3500/yr on power bills. Not really apples to apples but I think it works. When all done and said we had to pay approx 25K for our system. So payback is approx 7-8 yrs.
A couple of things to consider. Place panels on a steep roof if possible (45 deg is good). This will help in winter production and it will allow snow shed off panels much quicker. Try to use as much power as you make and don't send back to grid if possible. Wife runs appliances during the days as much as practical. Plan system for max winter production. Summer will exceed what you can use even with system set for winter production and you can't save the power for long periods of time.
Biggest issue in my mind is batteries. Tesla batteries can be used to full cap. while lead acid should not be fully drained (usually 50% is recommended). But there is no battery available unless you want to fill your basement up with batteries that can store enough power for 30-60 days usage.
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7071223
12/02/20 09:30 PM
12/02/20 09:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960 Northern Nevada
Bob
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
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It’s something I may do in the future. I’m looking for property to set up a nursery on, I want to grow and sell landscaping trees, and many of the properties around here are CHEAP....because there isn’t a power line for miles. I could go buy 640 acres for $70k right now, but it’d probably cost me $200k to run power to it. 20k to put in a well. So solar may be the rout I go, if I can viably produce enough power with a reasonably priced setup to run a household plus garage, grow lights, etc.
I have not done the math to see if solar, diesel generators or running power to such a property is the most economical.
"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Bob]
#7071268
12/02/20 09:56 PM
12/02/20 09:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
James
"Minka"
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"Minka"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
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It’s something I may do in the future. I’m looking for property to set up a nursery on, I want to grow and sell landscaping trees, and many of the properties around here are CHEAP....because there isn’t a power line for miles. I could go buy 640 acres for $70k right now, but it’d probably cost me $200k to run power to it. 20k to put in a well. So solar may be the rout I go, if I can viably produce enough power with a reasonably priced setup to run a household plus garage, grow lights, etc.
I have not done the math to see if solar, diesel generators or running power to such a property is the most economical. Grow lights consume a lot of electricity. I think you'd need a solar farm. Jim
Forum Infidel since 2001
"And that troll bs is something triggered snowflakes say when they dont like what someone posts." - Boco
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Re: Anyone into solar power?
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7071381
12/02/20 10:42 PM
12/02/20 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,000 Eastern Shore, MD
JoMiBru
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,000
Eastern Shore, MD
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Great explanation Dirty D, thanks. Our 70 KW system automatically disconnects in a power outage, as you mentioned, so it does not put power back in the grid to danger the lineman working on the outage.
Also, you are paid a reduced rate on banked credits because you are using the co-ops infrastructure. Lines, poles, etc so only thing you are providing is power generation. Some think this is unfair, I think we are treated fair. Very pleased with our system. Credit value went way down but is starting to rise again.
John
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