[debron911]

We learn from our mistakes!

Note: I am not an expert. These are my experiences as a consumer after going through the process, installation and ownership of a 7.3 kw Silfab 23 panel system with an Enphase microinverter.

#1. Did not do enough research before buying a system. SECO has a lot of good information on their website including the process to set up their interconnection agreement.
#2. To decide which contractors to contact , we didn’t know about: Florida Solar Energy Industries Association
This Florida association holds installers to a higher standard. Had we known before selecting a contractor we would have selected from these companies in the association
#3. If financial gain is your goal it probably is NOT in your best interest to proceed. Our first few bills (optimum sun exposure-17 panels facing south and 6 facing west) garnered us enough savings to make the $100 solar payment at 2.99% interest). So it was a wash. SECO charges $1 a day regardless of usage plus 10 cents per kwh. They buy back power from a system at the rate of 7.2 cents per kwh. You can do the math easily to see it is highly unlikely you can produce enough power to wipe out your bill. The system is designed to produce what your average consumption is before installing a system!
#4. Solar contractor was not honest in how “net metering “ is calculated. Nor did they explain that, as your system is producing power (during the day) your home uses that solar power and only takes power from the grid if your usage exceeds your production. Any excess produced goes back into the grid and you receive 7.2 cents per kwh as a credit on your monthly bill. Hence using your washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater, etc during peak hours 10-4pm is recommended. NOTE: We learned this after installation from SECO’s solar department.
#5. In our area power is generally considered cheap compared to other areas of the country so the primary benefit of installing a system here is simply environmental.
#6. It took 10 weeks from contract sign date to installation. Another 3 weeks to correct issues that kept system from firing up. Building permit required, SECO had even more requirements and caught deficiencies the building department inspector missed.
#7. Resale. Could be considered a liability to a perspective buyer despite the benefits due to lack of knowledge. The loan is NOT recorded as a lien against the home. No idea why - but it is not! So if you sell it is your loan even though ours has a provision to be assumed if buyer agrees. A licensed real estate appraiser told us our home value would increase 9% with solar but that would not necessarily be true depending on the worth to a particular buyer. So selling could be sticky.
#8. You will still lose power in a power outage unless you add a battery backup system quoted price approximately $5000. Our system was $28K and for 2020 26% tax rebate so net cost of $20,720. 2021 credit is 19%. Last year of rebate.

My personal opinion is that we have all this beautiful Florida sunshine and even if we can save enough to break even with the financing it is worth it for the environmental benefits. IT IS AN INVESTMENT FOR OUR PLANET NOT OUR PORTFOLIO. Despite all the pitfalls we went through and the dissatisfaction of our contractor, in the end it was still worth it

Debbie Achtenberg