Years ago I worked for a solar manufacturer. The ONLY way they were able to stay in the black was to help people (through a major big box store) to get the paperwork done so they could get their precious rebates...
Now that incentives have dried up, and predatory sales tactics and robo calls that pisses everyone off is the norm, it's not such a great deal. FYI - Californicators recently passed a "net metering" law where if you generate solar and sell back the excess, you're basically getting robbed...You get 75% less than pre-2023, so pay off on a system takes WAY longer now.
RE: https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/what-californias-solar-policy-changes-mean-for-you/
Most solar schemes these days involve a company placing their bullshit on your roof, THEY get the lion share of energy generated and if ANYTHING happens to their shit under your watch and/or especially your roof needs repair - YOU are on the hook to pay for the repairs etc.
Me: What's the warranty on the panels?
Solar maggot: 20 years
Me: What's the expected life span of the panels?
Solar maggot: 20 years
Me: What's the ROI (Return on Investment) of these systems? (in other words, how many years will it take for the system to pay for itself)
I did my own install to code, 3.3K solar/20KWH storage for a little over 3K, saving 500 a month will pay for itself in a little over 6 months. It can be done safely with the right research and skills (owned or learned) and some luck on prices when sourcing components.
Keep it off-grid and you don't have hassle with the power company.
Might be some deals out there with the liquidation of these companies
I happened upon a wealthy guy upgrading his entire system with 10s of thousands worth of storage and bought 2 10KW units with 90% life left for 1500$, I'll likely only get 10 years or so, but at 500/month saving on electricity that's around 60G, so enough to upgrade in a few years.
DING DING DING!!! This right here.
Years ago I worked for a solar manufacturer. The ONLY way they were able to stay in the black was to help people (through a major big box store) to get the paperwork done so they could get their precious rebates...
Now that incentives have dried up, and predatory sales tactics and robo calls that pisses everyone off is the norm, it's not such a great deal. FYI - Californicators recently passed a "net metering" law where if you generate solar and sell back the excess, you're basically getting robbed...You get 75% less than pre-2023, so pay off on a system takes WAY longer now. RE: https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/what-californias-solar-policy-changes-mean-for-you/
Most solar schemes these days involve a company placing their bullshit on your roof, THEY get the lion share of energy generated and if ANYTHING happens to their shit under your watch and/or especially your roof needs repair - YOU are on the hook to pay for the repairs etc.
Me: What's the warranty on the panels?
Solar maggot: 20 years
Me: What's the expected life span of the panels?
Solar maggot: 20 years
Me: What's the ROI (Return on Investment) of these systems? (in other words, how many years will it take for the system to pay for itself)
Solar maggot: 20 years
Me: Yeah, fuck off.
I did my own install to code, 3.3K solar/20KWH storage for a little over 3K, saving 500 a month will pay for itself in a little over 6 months. It can be done safely with the right research and skills (owned or learned) and some luck on prices when sourcing components. Keep it off-grid and you don't have hassle with the power company. Might be some deals out there with the liquidation of these companies
The challenge has always been storage...off grid definitely
I happened upon a wealthy guy upgrading his entire system with 10s of thousands worth of storage and bought 2 10KW units with 90% life left for 1500$, I'll likely only get 10 years or so, but at 500/month saving on electricity that's around 60G, so enough to upgrade in a few years.