[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by CastleSteve

I've had solar for 20 years on my 3000 sq ft home with a 5 ton AC unut. My power bill has always been less than $70.00 The older panels wore out. Thery were the fist ones on market. The new ones I'm having installed product 3 to 4 times the wattage. and, so having the newer ones should last me the rest of my life. They are 92 % effient for 25 years. I'm paying cash for mine of the amount of approx.25k, but then I get a 30% tax reduction good for 5 years. My system is approx. 10kw and one of of the best panels made ( Enphase). The power rates are ridiculous increasing ever year. My retirement income is doing the opposite. I'm a retired electronic enginner and was trained years ago on solar. So I say, if you are 70 or less GO FOR IT. Above that age. ? ?

How old was your first system?

My bill is about $170/month. You are saving $100/month - at $25,000; that’s a 21 year payback.

I just don’t think any system will last 20 years. Your roof doesn’t last 20 years.

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by CastleSteve

I've had solar for 20 years on my 3000 sq ft home with a 5 ton AC unut. My power bill has always been less than $70.00 The older panels wore out. Thery were the fist ones on market. The new ones I'm having installed product 3 to 4 times the wattage. and, so having the newer ones should last me the rest of my life. They are 92 % effient for 25 years. I'm paying cash for mine of the amount of approx.25k, but then I get a 30% tax reduction good for 5 years. My system is approx. 10kw and one of of the best panels made ( Enphase). The power rates are ridiculous increasing ever year. My retirement income is doing the opposite. I'm a retired electronic enginner and was trained years ago on solar. So I say, if you are 70 or less GO FOR IT. Above that age. ? ?

Just guessing.... not a house in Florida?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

How old was your first system?

My bill is about $170/month. You are saving $100/month - at $25,000; that’s a 21 year payback.

I just don’t think any system will last 20 years. Your roof doesn’t last 20 years.

Way to good to be true. Wonder who he might work for?

[Glorantha]

We’re just over a year into having solar panels placed on our new house. With the tax break and current electricity rates, we should break even in 15-20 years. Just noticed water stain on ceiling in room under the panels. Opened ticket with solar company to come check it out, hopefully they take care of it.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

The sun is converting 2 1/2 million tons of hydrogen to energy every second and it doesn’t cost anything. It’s sure be nice to use a little of it!

Joe

Totally agree, as long as it’s cost effective to convert that so called free energy to energy that’s actually useable.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by tscmedlake

A quick Google search will show you several but here are a couple of links:

Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value in Florida? [Your Questions Answered] | Current Home.

Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value? (2024 Guide).

Based on the MarketWatch data and my numbers, the value add would be much greater. While some buyers may shy away, consider that when buying a house with an existing system, by definition the system MUST be paid off, so the question in looking at 2 houses, one with solar and one without: “would you rather have a house that has a ZERO (0) energy bill or one with an energy bill.” We may disagree on the actual value add, but it is definitely more than zero.

Why are you generating $3,500 per year in electrical power, when your second link says that the average monthly electric bill in Florida is $128, which is only $1,536 per year? Your initial investment of $35,000, if applied to paying for your electric bill, would be enough money to pay for your entire electricity usage for 23 years, or longer if the money was invested with interest. How can you justify an initial investment of $35,000?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Glorantha

We’re just over a year into having solar panels placed on our new house. With the tax break and current electricity rates, we should break even in 15-20 years. Just noticed water stain on ceiling in room under the panels. Opened ticket with solar company to come check it out, hopefully they take care of it.

Wow. It's probably something simple that a roofer could repair in 10 minutes, but the roofer won't touch the solar panels. Does the solar system warranty say anything about roof leaks? If the solar contractor doesn't fix it, you may need to file a homeowner's insurance claim. A leak like that can cause an expensive mold situation. Good luck.

[Lottoguy]

Remember those panels will have to come down when you replace the roof. Not sure what the added expense will be but you should look into that.

[Stu from NYC]

The deciding factor in avoiding solar panels.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

Remember those panels will have to come down when you replace the roof. Not sure what the added expense will be but you should look into that.

That is why it should only be installed on a metal roof or a tesla roof.

[retiredguy123]

About $4,000

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

Remember those panels will have to come down when you replace the roof. Not sure what the added expense will be but you should look into that.

How long do you think your roof would last if you put a cover over it? Like, solar panels?

[villagetinker]

In guess you will need to tell your insurance company about the solar panels, no idea of the impact, but I would do this first so that I am not surprised.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

How long do you think your roof would last if you put a cover over it? Like, solar panels?

In my opinion, the solar panels will shorten the life of the roof because of more dirt accumulation under and around the panels. The panels do not cover the entire roof anyway. And, what do you do when you have a roof leak? (see Post No. 49). I doubt that a solar company will be very responsive when you have a roof leak, and I do not think a roofer will be interested in removing solar panels to repair a leak. A roofer can usually repair a simple leak by replacing a few shingles, but if the leaking area is covered by solar panels, it presents a whole different problem.

[miharris]

Originally Posted by CastleSteve

I've had solar for 20 years on my 3000 sq ft home with a 5 ton AC unut. My power bill has always been less than $70.00 The older panels wore out. Thery were the fist ones on market. The new ones I'm having installed product 3 to 4 times the wattage. and, so having the newer ones should last me the rest of my life. They are 92 % effient for 25 years. I'm paying cash for mine of the amount of approx.25k, but then I get a 30% tax reduction good for 5 years. My system is approx. 10kw and one of of the best panels made ( Enphase). The power rates are ridiculous increasing ever year. My retirement income is doing the opposite. I'm a retired electronic enginner and was trained years ago on solar. So I say, if you are 70 or less GO FOR IT. Above that age. ? ?

As a retired engineer, you should know that Enphase does not make panels, they make micro-inverters.