Hi NotGolfer. Thanks for posting!

As far as Wisconsin, I really don't know that market, but you can't really compare solar in WI to solar in FL, It would be like comparing snow in WI to snow in FL. They just don't get the amount of sun we get down here all year long. I'm not saying it won't work in WI, I'm just saying solar works 100% of the time in Florida and will always save the homeowner money from day 1 compared to what you are paying on your current electric bill. Most Northern States take 3-5 years to cost less, which is why most offer a State incentive or have a SREC program.

I'm not sure what makes solar a "time-share pitch"? Is it offering free pizza for a solar presentation? I thought it sounded fun, but ok?

:-)

Have a great afternoon

Hi jimbo2012

I have never talked to you, so you have not had a sales presentation. Solar may or may not work for your home, but as I know nothing about you home or electric consumption, I can't give you a price. Range of cost for residential solar is generally $10,000 to $100,000. It would all depend on your home, how much electricity you use, and how much of you current bill you want to offset. In The Villages, most systems would cost between $10,000 and $30,000. if you needed a new roof, that would be built into the total price.

There is no up-front cost unless you want to pay cash. If you want to pay cash:
30% due at contract
60% due at install
10% due at PTO

Also the Federal Tax incentive is 26%, not 22%. It will be at 26% in 2022 as well.

Most people do not have the cash sitting around, so they go with the finance option. It's a 1.49% loan. First payment is 60 days after install. So as I stated before, its zero down. Make sense now?

Have a great day!

It's not for everyone

Have a great day!

Hi Biker1

As the cost for removal and replacement is expensive, I would not recommend doing that. Your best bet is to replace a roof that is 15 years or older before going solar.

The roof space under the panels would be protected from UV radiation and weathering, so you would not need to replace that part of the roof once the panels were installed. Panels produce energy for 50 years and come with a 25 year linear production warranty

Have a great day!

Thanks for your post. I have a roof that is 7 years old. I am not going to do a premature replacement. The existing roof might have a total lifetime of 15 to 20 years, probably closer to 15 years. For a solar panel installation today, not replacing the shingles under the panels (in 7-8 years when the existing roof needs to be replace) is really not an option. You did not answer my question about the cost to remove and reinstall after a roof replacement. I can only assume the number is pretty onerous and you don't want to advertise it. I would never consider an installation without knowing that number.

Are you saying that an insurance company who requires a 15 year old roof to be replaced would allow you to not replace all of the shingles? And, that a roofing company is going to work around existing solar panels and guarantee the roof against leaks? I'm very skeptical about that.

You failed to reply to several of my questions???

What brand solar panels do you sell?

"american solar one" isn't listed on sunbiz.org as Florida Corp

Are you a franchise?

What's your location, one page website has no street address.

Who are you folks what is your corporate name.

Why don't answer those questions :ohdear:

The solar industry is a graveyard of bankrupt contractors and manufacturers. WHY? Because of significant overpromise - and under delivery. Anybody in the industry - or related (which I still am) will share "BEWARE." Even Tesla is having issues.

Why the problem? There are several factors that can cause solar to underperform. First, they get dirty - and stop performing. Second, debris get's caught underneath - and they stop performing. Third, they are not installed exactly right - and stop performing. Fourth, they are installed over an older roof; the roof needs to be replaced - and you are out of luck. Five, it is being "sold back" most of the time to your utility - not going into your personal electric system; lots of opportunities for problems. I sit on the Board of the largest co-op of commercial roofing contractors in the country (over a billion in sales) and solar was the primary topic at the meeting last week: net/net - most members of the co-op have tried - and it hasn't worked. IN FACT, there currently on commercial roofs as an example, there is a large financial penalty for not putting on a solar roof for new construction now - and over 90% are accepting the penalty.

Have heard insurance companies won't insure your roof without a huge increase in insured value. Have not researched.

@79, i won't see any return

Overpromise is correct. When a contractor offers you a 25 year parts and labor warranty on any kind of system that they install, you should know that the contractor is scamming you. It is not reasonable for any contractor to expect to honor that type of warranty on any mechanical or electrical system, especially a small contractor installing solar systems. They have no intention or ability to make good on the warranty. They just want to make a sale. Ask them to purchase a performance bond in case they are not around in 25 years.

We had 175 panels on our 7200 sf barn roof in MA. Took care of our home, barn apartment, indoor arena lights, barn lights and heat. Our average electric bill pre solar in February was 2500.00. Yearly was typically around 8000.
MA had a significant SRECs payment around 10,000 a year.
It was net metering. We collected credits during summer and used that during winter when snow covered the panels.
In MA, totally worth the cost. In FL, our electric bill is running 120 a month. I don't see it as cost effective.