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scuzy

scuzy

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so i decided to go solar. 5.2Kwatt system. Wih the new 700 billion bailout plan came a little extra incentives. They now uncapped the federal tax credit.You can get the whole 30% tax credit compare to before where it's 30% or $2000 which ever is the lowest.

So i put a deposit down on my system to lock in on the California rebate of $1.90 per watt but the system won't be install till next year so i can take advantage of the new CSI tax credit that goes into effect Januray 2009., I am so excited. Going green and knocking out 200 bucks of my energy bill is a win win sitution.

My system comes out to $23k roughtly after rebates and tax credit. Now that's a much more affordable alternative.

jsut lettign everyone know of the new CSI tax credit if you're thinking about going solar it's now the time.
 
Awesome! Still looking to buy a house, but putting in solar will be one of my priorities. Who are you having install the solar panels?
 
Just curious. Does anyone have any experience whether changing to solar increases or decreases the value of your house in the long term?
 
[quote author=seminolecpa link=topic=4850.msg59038#msg59038 date=1224085671]
Just curious. Does anyone have any experience whether changing to solar increases or decreases the value of your house in the long term? [/quote]
From what I've been told it's kinda like a pool, some people may be looking for it but some may not. With pools some people are turned away from homes that have it... can't say that'd be the case with solar.... As time progresses it may become more of the norm. In other words people may expect you to have solar. For now your home may appraise for more with it but the market determines if you will actually get more for your home when you sell. hth
 
well i guess u have to look at it this way. Does the new home owner want ot pay pge for electricity or have the house be electrity free and generate your own power? It's a little different than a pool since pool adds no benefits to the house while the solar panel you're generating your own elecriticy and is not vthat visible on the roof.

Mike: i went with regrid since they are diamond certified and they had good reviews.
 
Yeah that is generally what I was thinking. While I agree some people may see it as a very beneficial item to have in a house, others may see it as a big eyesore. I do realize that it is in many ways a long term investment as it takes many years to hit the break even point. Just wondering if there is some sort of a total break even analysis (that is cost outlay vs. overall recovery with both the savings on electricity and the overall value to the home). Sorry just the accountant in me.
 
according to regrid iam looking at about 6-7 years for the payout of the system. But the savings starts from day one. I am saving 1700 off my anual electrity each year. This is assumign pge doesn ot rate hike. If they rate hike i will save even more. they did a cost anaylsis for the life of the system (warranty 25 years) i will save about 90-110k minus the system cost. I forgot the exact value. But i see it as after 6 years when i pay off the system i am no longer making 200 a month extra to pge but instead saving that in my pocket. I plan to live in my house for awhile at this rate. Plus when you sell the house the appraise value is higher according to the assessment by the assessor with houses that are green.
 
there is no battery. All the electricity you make during the day goesto PGE and in turn pge gives you credit for the electricity you use when you're not producing.
 
[quote author=scuzy link=topic=4850.msg59057#msg59057 date=1224088701]
there is no battery. All the electricity you make during the day goesto PGE and in turn pge gives you credit for the electricity you use when you're not producing.[/quote]

Thanks, I thought batteries where still in the loop somewhere.
 
no you're tied into the powergrid. You basically get a new meter from PGE and they will credit you the amount of energy you produce kind of like a deposit nad withdrawl so no batteries needed.
 
Batteries are if you are "off-grid" and really want to stick it to the Man and get away from his control :D

However if you have a powerline hooked to your house you'd be almost stupid NOT to use PG&E as "your batteries", granted you do pay a minimum $5 a month on your bill regardless, but compared to the cost and upkeep of batteries it's money well spent, just if power goes out at night you won't have power.

Sounds great though man, 5.2kW system should put a sizable dent in your electricity. San Francisco also has credits for it too, more so if you're a "poor ass mofo" which unfortunately I don't qualify for, however the way my teaching schedule works I might qualify for it part of the year, but the other part no... either way, at least the $700 billion rip off plan did have some nice pork in it :D
 
yeah it was news to me to find out they did add some nice perk to going green. 30% off total system is better than $2000 max cap. I jumped on it after hearing this. Before this i was still on the fence not sure which to fall on.
 
I think if my current house was a "dream house" and had space for the kids, I'd totall go solar, but as it is, the house is small and less than a dream house, so I'll wait.

Hopefully, panels will get more efficient and cheaper soon...though they've been around for decades. We need higher demand to spark more research. Or we need MS Windows to start needing solar power (Sort of like how 32 bit Windows OS'es got RAM down in price from $100/meg to 10 cents/meg)
 
haha vince. Yeah my house isn't bad for kids. But i been a good son in law and let the in laws moved in when they came from canada. I want an excuse to kick them out. So i cna't wait for kids beginning next year. :)
 
yeha my bill adverages 300 a month sometimesi t's high 200's but mostly 300. I think my tank eats up about 100 a month easily andthen my computers being on and al lthe electronics at home
 
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