Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
I think it depends on your motives. If you are doing it to improve the environment, then it is a good thing. But, if you are doing it to save money on your electric bill, then I think it is too expensive and too risky. The potential payback and overall cost savings are just not worth the intial and ongoing investment. I wouldn't believe any payback calculations provided by the contractor. Also, I think that, when you decide to sell the house, the solar panels will be a negative feature for potential buyers. So, I think the money you spend upfront will reduce, rather than increase, the value of your house.
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A lot depends on if you own the panels outright and get the full value of their output, and if your utility gives you an even trade of a watt for every watt you make. I had 28 panels installed on my roof in 2011 in my Connecticut house. Zero electric bill every year since, where most neighbors are paying hundreds of dollars every month. Back then, 30% of the cost of the system could be written off my federal taxes, at the state kicked in thousands more. I don't know what the deal is in Florida regarding watt swapping, so you need to find out. And yes, it INCREASES the value and desirability of your house. Who doesn't want to buy a house with a ZERO electric bill?