Quote:
Originally Posted by villagetinker
I am a utility engineer that helped write the national standards for these systems with 30 years experience on the utility side, and I have not seen any system in FLORIDA that makes any economic sense. In deregulated states, the utilities actually pay a reasonable rate for solar energy. Here it is NET metering period. Also, none of the "financial analysis" takes into consideration the time value of money (the amount of money you lose when you pay for the system up front), and be very cautious of the NO COST plans. These tend to have a contract, you do NOT own the solar panels, you get a lien on your house, and if you decide to sell the new owner MUST take over the lease, you cannot cancel.
If the OP really wants customers, they will need to be up front with some more details. I really wanted to do this with my background, but once I found out the oppressive nature of the Florida utilities, I gave up.
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Hi VillageTinker
Appreciate your background and comments. Here's some great information from the US Dept of Energy on solar
Solar | Department of Energy
1) I am not sure why you have never seen a solar design in Florida that does not make sense economically. Electricity is not free after all, so either you continue to pay the utility, become Amish, or you find a way to take advantage of the sun. If you are not considering the cost of electricity from traditional sources in your calculations, why not? Ask yourself this - Is the National Energy policy going to cause higher or lower prices for traditional sources in the future (coal, gas, oil, nuclear)? If a utility like Duke spends $400 Million on solar fields to meet their ESG requirements, who ultimately ends up paying the bill?
2)
There is not such thing as a "no cost" plan, unless you are getting a lease which I do not sell. We use a $0 down loan or you can pay cash for the system. Again, you are currently paying for electricity and will be doing so for as long as you live. Solar gives you the option to basically have free energy after the "break even" point.
3) Not all Florida utilities have Net Metering. While the payback on excess production isn't great in Florida, you wouldn't want to design a system that would overproduce anyhow. It wouldn't make sense.
4) Finally, if solar was such a bad idea, why do 3 Million homes in the United States now have rooftop solar? I understand you personally do not like solar, and it probably doesn't make sense for your situation, surely 3 Million homeowners across the country can't all be wrong, can they?
Have a great day!