Solar panels - photovoltaic

[Arctic Fox]

I should like to hear from anyone who has had PV panels put on their roof, especially with regard to:

1) costs;
2) effect on electricity bills;
3) satisfaction with installer.

Thank you
Solar Fox

[Carl in Tampa]

1. I'm curious to know whether or not Deed Restrictions in The Villages permit solar electric panels on residential roofs.

2. On average solar electric panels take from 10 to 15 years of savings to break even before beginning to actually save money. In Florida, with so many days of sunshine, it may be closer to 10. Remember that there is a lot of other equipment that must be installed to make the panels effective.

Here is an issue: what is the warranty and/or useful life of the equipment? If the equipment fails just about the time it has "paid for itself" and is about to actually save money, what good is it?

I don't see this as particularly attractive in a retirement community, for obvious reasons.

[villagetinker]

I should like to hear from anyone who has had PV panels put on their roof, especially with regard to:

1) costs;
2) effect on electricity bills;
3) satisfaction with installer.

Thank you
Solar Fox

Florida is a very solar PV UNFRIENDLY state. You can go to the SECO website, and do a search on solar. This will get you the latest requirements, etc. The best you will do is NET metering from SECO. None of the FL utilities provide any assistance in this area. The federal grants were extended. There are no third party options that I know of.

Now a word of caution, there are some junk solar panels out there. Once you have gotten your replies, ask your proposed installer what solar panels they use, as well as the inverter, etc. Then independently of whatever the installer says, check the viability of the panel supplier. The typical solar panel warranty is 25 year operating to a specific level. The installer should have a warranty on there work.

I have extensive background in this area (NOT including actual installation) but all other aspects. Send me a PM if you would like to discuss further.

[jimbo2012]

No HOA can prevent solar (panels) energy related installs.

Tinker is correct, you want what is referred to as a tier one panel manufacturer.

Fl is bad for no incentives, but you will get the 30% fed rebate





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[Markam]

There is a fairly thorough article on this subject in the August issue of Consumer Reports.

Also make sure your homeowners insurance will cover wind or lightning damage to the cells and roof.

Another wrinkle might be to add big batteries to the PV system to retain excess power instead of selling it to SECO. Tesla's Powerwall or a somewhat similar products from Sonnen are discussed here (http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/07/sonnens-new-battery-for-solar-self-consumption-could-succeed-in-us/).

[Carl in Tampa]

There is a fairly thorough article on this subject in the August issue of Consumer Reports.

Also make sure your homeowners insurance will cover wind or lightning damage to the cells and roof.

Lightning damage? In the lightning capital of the United States? :laugh:

Wind damage? In hurricane country?

Another wrinkle might be to add big batteries to the PV system to retain excess power instead of selling it to SECO. Tesla's Powerwall or a somewhat similar products from Sonnen are discussed here (http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/07/sonnens-new-battery-for-solar-self-consumption-could-succeed-in-us/).

Batteries? That adds greatly to the expense and extends the time before you reach the break even point.

And, there is an even greater expense for the special equipment that would let you "sell power" to the electric company.

So, you have to live another ten years or so just to reach the break even point, IF you experience no equipment damage or failure. THEN you start saving a little money.......the electricity is still not free, just at a reduced cost.

Again, a doubtful investment in a retirement community.

[rubicon]

There is a fairly thorough article on this subject in the August issue of Consumer Reports.

Also make sure your homeowners insurance will cover wind or lightning damage to the cells and roof.

Another wrinkle might be to add big batteries to the PV system to retain excess power instead of selling it to SECO. Tesla's Powerwall or a somewhat similar products from Sonnen are discussed here (http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/07/sonnens-new-battery-for-solar-self-consumption-could-succeed-in-us/).

One of the problems with solar customers is that they operate to the disadvantaged of non solar customers who pay for the slack. Its the same with companies like Telsa and Solar City who have never made a profit and has actual millions in losses but because they are subsidized by government and because customers get a tax credit they can continue; albeit at taxpayers expense.

I paid $1400 for a solar panel for my electric golf cart that returned zilch despite the promises of extend travel and life of my batteries. Green is clean but then so is money...if you get my drift:icon_wink: go fossil fuels

[BK001]

There is a solar panel on our roof that heats the pool. Our first full month here the electric bill was $267. I wonder if it would have been higher if we didn't have the solar panels but I have not history nor basis of comparison.

[villagetinker]

There is a solar panel on our roof that heats the pool. Our first full month here the electric bill was $267. I wonder if it would have been higher if we didn't have the solar panels but I have not history nor basis of comparison.

Your electric bill would only have been higher if you had an electric based pool heater, all the ones I have seen in my immediate neighborhood have been propane heaters. Also, you must have a really big house, or there were other charges associated with 'the first month' bill, we have a stretched gardenia, and have never had a bill over $145 for a month, over the last 3 years. This does include a large hot tub, but no pool.

[Arctic Fox]

I should like to hear from anyone who has had PV panels put on their roof, especially with regard to:
1) costs;
2) effect on electricity bills;
3) satisfaction with installer.


Thank you for all of your replies. We have GoSolarTrek of Ocala coming to quote so will keep you posted.

[Opmoochler]

There is a solar panel on our roof that heats the pool. Our first full month here the electric bill was $267. I wonder if it would have been higher if we didn't have the solar panels but I have not history nor basis of comparison.

I'm not heating a pool, but am cooling a designer with an enclosed lanai that I occasionally open wide to the house for access to AC. Because of this recent practice, our latest bill ($173) was the highest (by about $37) in the 10 months we've lived here.

[jimbo2012]

with pool & spa $80-120.

I do use an aquarium pump that is great on electric.

I use solar hot water works great.

Solar pool systems run about $3500, if you have an installer do it.

But DIY $800

[photo1902]

Your electric bill would only have been higher if you had an electric based pool heater, all the ones I have seen in my immediate neighborhood have been propane heaters. Also, you must have a really big house, or there were other charges associated with 'the first month' bill, we have a stretched gardenia, and have never had a bill over $145 for a month, over the last 3 years. This does include a large hot tub, but no pool.

Depending on the age/model of her pool pump, it might be a variable speed model like the Hayward model we have. When running solar, the pump operates at 100%. Normally our pump runs at 55%, saving a lot of energy considering its running 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[BK001]

Your electric bill would only have been higher if you had an electric based pool heater, all the ones I have seen in my immediate neighborhood have been propane heaters. Also, you must have a really big house, or there were other charges associated with 'the first month' bill, we have a stretched gardenia, and have never had a bill over $145 for a month, over the last 3 years. This does include a large hot tub, but no pool.

Our house is a 2100 sq ft Lantana in the Village of Lynnhaven. The pump on the pool goes on at 8 am and goes off at 6 pm daily. There is a small pump in a little water pond on our Lanai that has been running 24-hrs per day. The first month from 5/13 - 6/1 was $170.13. The second full month 6/2-7/5 was $267.30.

Average daily usage 69 KWH. Does this seem high relative to others?

[jimbo2012]

Depending on the age/model of her pool pump, it might be a variable speed model like the Hayward model we have. When running solar, the pump operates at 100%. Normally our pump runs at 55%, saving a lot of energy considering its running 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Solar panels need 2 gpm for each panel, so 5 panels only needs 10 gpm,

that pump at 100% maybe pumping too much too fast not allowing the proper dwell time, therefore wasting elec.

easy to check

[photo1902]

Solar panels need 2 gpm for each panel, so 5 panels only needs 10 gpm,

that pump at 100% maybe pumping too much too fast not allowing the proper dwell time, therefore wasting elec.

easy to check

Thanks, but it also depends on the location of the pump relative to the panels. In our case were talking 60', at least. I'll check with the pool company though, thank you!

[photo1902]

Our house is a 2100 sq ft Lantana in the Village of Lynnhaven. The pump on the pool goes on at 8 am and goes off at 6 pm daily. There is a small pump in a little water pond on our Lanai that has been running 24-hrs per day. The first month from 5/13 - 6/1 was $170.13. The second full month 6/2-7/5 was $267.30.

Average daily usage 69 KWH. Does this seem high relative to others?

I'm no pool expert, but I think running your pump for 10 hours a day is not necessary. I run ours for 8 hours a day and have no issues with water cleanliness/chemical levels etc.

[jimbo2012]

It's not the horizontal run so much, that like 5%, it's the head or height that really matters.

we all have about the head height here.

Just take a 5 gallon bucket time how many gallons are returned off the panels.

99% of pool or solar companies just take a guess,


if you saw my small pump you would be surprised it draws only 375 watts and pump 5 panels.


I'm no pool expert, but I think running your pump for 10 hours a day is not necessary. I run ours for 8 hours a day and have no issues with water cleanliness/chemical levels etc.

Agree 6-8 hours works well, you want to turn you water 3 times a day.


.

[photo1902]

It's not the horizontal run so much, that like 5%, it's the head or height that really matters.

we all have about the head height here.

Just take a 5 gallon bucket time how many gallons are returned off the panels.

99% of pool or solar companies just take a guess,


if you saw my small pump you would be surprised it draws only 375 watts and pump 5 panels.


Agree 6-8 hours works well, you want to turn you water 3 times a day.


.

We had the same issue with our three waterfalls. Given the length of our run, the pump running at 55% did not have enough power to run all three falls, even reducing/limiting the return. It had to be bumped up to 100%. i suppose we could find a happy medium, between 55 and 100, same as for the solar, but for the infrequent amount that we use either feature, its not worth it.

[Semper FI]

Check our Green Key Village on lake Ella Rd..complete Solar Community, and get the real scoop.....Worth it

[NavyNJ]

Thank you for all of your replies. We have GoSolarTrek of Ocala coming to quote so will keep you posted.

In addition to anyone else you talk with, I would recommend you get a proposal/quote from Jack of Jack's Solar out of Ocala. His info & web page are at the link below:

Jack's Solar (http://www.jacksolar.com/)

[Arctic Fox]

In addition to anyone else you talk with, I would recommend you get a proposal/quote from Jack of Jack's Solar out of Ocala. His info & web page are at the link below:

Jack's Solar (http://www.jacksolar.com/)

Thank you, NavyNJ

The figures from SolarTrek indicate a payback period for me of around 16 years, but this would be less if I were here year-round and under ten years if I could get the tax credit.

I shall wait until the house needs a new roof (a few years yet, hopefully) by which time the cost of PV should be lower (currently falling at 10% per annum) then look into it again.