The solar panel people stopped by last night. I have been interested in getting solar panels
for some time now but I know very little about it. I do know that if I own the panels I can 
sell the excess power back to the grid while eliminating my electric bill. I also know that in
NJ if I own the panels I can get tax breaks and government money to pay for most of the
the panel installation. It will take years to recover the cost and to start turning a profit.

Now these people last night said they will install the panels at no cost to me, which means
they own the panels. which also means no tax breaks and they get to sell the excess back
to the grid. I get a lower electric bill, an eyesore on the roof and they make money off of
my roof.

Anyone have any input, anyone know more than I which is the better way?

The solar panel people stopped by last night. I have been interested in getting solar panels
for some time now but I know very little about it. I do know that if I own the panels I can 
sell the excess power back to the grid while eliminating my electric bill. I also know that in
NJ if I own the panels I can get tax breaks and government money to pay for most of the
the panel installation. It will take years to recover the cost and to start turning a profit.

Now these people last night said they will install the panels at no cost to me, which means
they own the panels. which also means no tax breaks and they get to sell the excess back
to the grid. I get a lower electric bill, an eyesore on the roof and they make money off of
my roof.

Anyone have any input, anyone know more than I which is the better way?


There are sources that can tell you how much power you can expect to get where you are.  Up here in VT we don't get as much as, say, my daughter in San Bernadino.  The odds are that you will not generate enough, on average, to eliminate your bill.  This also impacts how long it will take to recover your costs.  Call another company, other than the one you  spoke to for an evaluation of your site.  We had ban evaluation done and given our specific location there was no way it made eco. sense.

As to the other option, I'd research the company very carefully.  Sounds like a scam to me because of what I said above.

I would LOVE to have solar panels but like Carlos said, we looked into it and it wouldn't work where we are. We have a slate roof and they won't put solar panels on slate. So, the few places where we could put them, wouldn't help us much.

We also looked into a solar farm. It sounded promising until they told us that it would cost $18,000 upfront, and it would take us about 12 years to recoup that and in 25 years, the panels reverts to the land owner. So, we would basically be leasing them for 25 year for the nice price of $18,000.

The good news is that solar panels are coming down in price. And you still get the 30% tax credit until the end of this year (I know time is running out on that but not sure if they have/will extended that or not). Shop around. Research companies. If you can do it, I think it is a good investment.



Cat

They stopped by again today just to see if I had gotten their email, I hadn't. I expect them to harass me
until I make a decision but I will not rush it.

How much would I save is the question and is it worth it. My electric bill ranges from $125 to $225 in summer and winter
and somewhere between $75 to $125 in fall and spring. Outside of eliminating it all together what am I really saving?

They stopped by again today just to see if I had gotten their email, I hadn't. I expect them to harass me
until I make a decision but I will not rush it.

How much would I save is the question and is it worth it. My electric bill ranges from $125 to $225 in summer and winter
and somewhere between $75 to $125 in fall and spring. Outside of eliminating it all together what am I really saving?


Those bills are fairly low, so probably not much.  Sounds like it would take a long time to recoup your investment, but you would be reducing  your carbon footprint

I'm shaky about stuff like that. My light bill is usually less than 100 dollars (it goes over in summer cause I run the a/c incessantly) My biggest concern is if it doesn't receive enough solar energy, what will happen to my fridge and deep freezer--and the goodies inside.  :( I mean catching solar energy is nice and makes the carbon footprint smaller, but it's not that reliable I think. Someone mentioned the exposure to sunlight varies based on where you live

I'm shaky about stuff like that. My light bill is usually less than 100 dollars (it goes over in summer cause I run the a/c incessantly) My biggest concern is if it doesn't receive enough solar energy, what will happen to my fridge and deep freezer--and the goodies inside.  :( I mean catching solar energy is nice and makes the carbon footprint smaller, but it's not that reliable I think. Someone mentioned the exposure to sunlight varies based on where you live



You are still hooked up to the grid so if your panels don't produce enough electricity, you still will be getting it. Also, in some states, if you produce more than you need, your electricity goes into the grid and the electric company has to pay you for your electricity. It is a two-way street.



Cat

You are still hooked up to the grid so if your panels don't produce enough electricity, you still will be getting it. Also, in some states, if you produce more than you need, your electricity goes into the grid and the electric company has to pay you for your electricity. It is a two-way street.



Cat


Now see, I didn't know that! I thought when you got the panels you were "off the grid".  :) Thank you for clarifying that. Now I'm not shaky anymore!

Now see, I didn't know that! I thought when you got the panels you were "off the grid".  :) Thank you for clarifying that. Now I'm not shaky anymore!



There are some people who opt to go totally off the grid and only use what they produce. But, most people are still on the grid.



Cat

I am still doing research, weighing the pros and cons and right now the cons are slightly ahead. One of the big
things I worry about is technology. We went from horse and wagons to walking on the moon in 70 years. It only
took 30 years to go from single prop, open canopy biplanes to supersonic jets. Technology is moving at blinding
speed. How do I know that in 15-20 years there won't be a home version flux capacitor for all your home energy
needs available at your local Walmart. I want to do it but I need a lot more convincing.

I am still doing research, weighing the pros and cons and right now the cons are slightly ahead. One of the big
things I worry about is technology. We went from horse and wagons to walking on the moon in 70 years. It only
took 30 years to go from single prop, open canopy biplanes to supersonic jets. Technology is moving at blinding
speed. How do I know that in 15-20 years there won't be a home version flux capacitor for all your home energy
needs available at your local Walmart. I want to do it but I need a lot more convincing.


Good point, although waiting for tech change means you tech gets more and more out dated