[biker1]

You need to look more closely into what happens with a grid-tied solar system during a power outage. I believe they are wired so as not to provide power during an outage to protect power company people. If you have a battery system then that is a different situation.

Originally Posted by DIver0258

We just had several quotes done. We also had an evaluation done by SECO. SECO has great information about solar on their website. Depending on what your ultimate goal is, will determine price. For us to have a zero bill and independent power in the event of an outage. Having solar didn’t make dollars and cents for US.

It is is tough to sift through, educate yourselves about solar prior to speaking with the first contractor.

Have your tax professional explain the federal tax incentives to you how they work and what it takes to qualify. The contractors continually uptalk the tax break.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Correction, there is limited income from solar on roof tops.

Correction: generalization which can't be applied on a case by case basis

Income is only created when the solar panels create enough energy to generate net metering credits from wholesale generation credit that is greater than the retail usage debits for an extended period of time, such as a year, not the fact that there exists net metering credits . Credits - debits = income. . .

So I am going to create a spreadsheet with the financial analysis return on investment, using the factors and inputs discussed here, and we all can test it out and add your individual specifics to the model to see what the long term savings over investment comes out to be. . . using a variable discount rate (which equals your financing rate or your alternative investment rate) to see the net present value of the investment today, based upon all the investment (purchase) and dependent/related expense assumptions over a 15 year life time, which is retirement at 65 to 80 years old which is the approximate life expectancy. We can go 20 if you want to live longer . .

I will figure out a way to put it up for public consumption so that the engineering types (you all ) and the finance types (some of you all) can create something useful for the TOTV community independent of the sales reps. .

This will take a bit of time for me to do some research as well, and set up the shareable site which if hacked, won't affect my other cloud accounts. . .

and regular work doesn't get in the way

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I will get actual live solar panel generation data from a former boss who has an array in his yard. .

[Warren]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

It would be better to ask a company that provides that service. They have all that information. Here you will get lots of opinions disguised as "fact".

I have considered it several times and can never quite get the numbers to work.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

I will get actual live solar panel generation data from a former boss who has an array in his yard. .

Racks in the yard is the way to go, but then you have to include cost of the racks and any cost for hiding the racks. Most yards in TV are not big enough. I just don't like the look of the panels on the roof. There is a neighborhood in Lady Lake, I think, that was built with solar on each of the roofs. Every time I have run the results, the numbers do not work......here in FL. The panels do not last for ever.

[Brad-tv]

As far as I understand the only way to be 100% independent of the grid is to have battery storage with the solar panels. When you do not have the battery you will be on the grid at night and also must turn off solar during power outages. With the battery system and the panels you can run during power outages. In my mind to have solar and still use the grid at night is not really ideal.If I can use Solar during power outages solar panels makes sense but without a battery backup system I was told you cannot. The battery walls are very expensive but very necessary to truly be energy independent. Once your batteries are fully charged you then can sell energy back to the grid For a fraction of what they charge you. Unless you plan on being in the home long-term 10 years or more the reason for solar would be for power outages and carbon footprint.
I know coach is a big fan of Tesla but they definitely have the best power walls on the market right now.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

As far as I understand the only way to be 100% independent of the grid is to have battery storage with the solar panels.

really? I can think of some more ways, you just have to generate your own power, which can be by solar, wind, hydro or fossil fuel generation such as a natural gas home generator. . .

If you meant to have your statement interpreted as 100 renewable, that is a different answer

[pennywin]

10 year payback after considering federal tax rebate

[Decadeofdave]

My take: When purchasing, I stayed away from purchasing a home with the roof covered with panels, curb appeal is bad.
My electric averages 66 dollars per month, very reasonable, long payback period, period.

[bruce213]

I have a 9.6kw system with 31 panels. All of the panels are on the south side of my house i have a neighbor there so you can't see them unless you look up between our homes. There are two kinds of systems 1. In-line 2 series, the in in-line is cheeper , but IMO the series is better. My system was around 25K but I purchased it 2019 got a 30% tax rebate. The company i used offered a 1.9% loan. So I felt is was better to keep 25K invested and use the cheep loan. Ask 100 people you will get 100 different answers, personal choice. The company i used was 3D solar 727-868-0110. If you use them please contact me as i get a referral. However do your homework get several bids. Its not for everyone. We moved a lot before retiring do not plan on moving again and my wife is in her 50s so will hopefully be around to enjoy it for 30 years.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Decadeofdave

My take: When purchasing, I stayed away from purchasing a home with the roof covered with panels, curb appeal is bad.
My electric averages 66 dollars per month, very reasonable, long payback period, period.

I agree. All of the propaganda on the Internet, the Government, and solar contractors, claim that having a solar system will increase the value of your house. I cannot believe that is true in The Villages. I have never seen a single post on this website by a licensed real estate agent who has commented on how a solar system affects the house market value. Also, I have never seen a house listed for sale where a solar system was featured as a valuable upgrade. I think the fact that a roof only lasts 15 years before you risk losing your homeowners policy severely limits the value of a solar system because of the cost to remove and replace the panels when installing a new roof.

[MrFlorida]

Electric rates are reasonable here in Florida compared to other states.

[DonnaNi4os]

I cannot fathom that any of us will live long enough to make solar panels a good investment. I also wonder if they effect the life of a roof. Living in a small villa, I have to say that the view from my dining room is my neighbor’s massive display of solar panels. Not a good look in my opinion.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os

I cannot fathom that any of us will live long enough to make solar panels a good investment. I also wonder if they effect the life of a roof. Living in a small villa, I have to say that the view from my dining room is my neighbor’s massive display of solar panels. Not a good look in my opinion.

They may not affect the life of the roof, but they could cause a leak where they are attached, and they could create a staining or mildew issue. And, they would make it more difficult to clean the roof or to make a repair.

[snbrafford]

Originally Posted by Juliewaters

Hello-
We are fairly new to the Villages and are thinking about installing solar panels on our roof.
We want to know if it is worth it….monetarily.
We really want to know how much you save on your monthly electric bill here in the villages and what the total cost was to install.

Thanks very much

First of all, I don't have solar panels but have thought about them just as you are. I have an Iris (about 1700 sq. ft) built in 2009 with the original heat pump so its not the most efficient. My average electric bill was $135 in 2020 - and we heat/cool our enclosed lanai.
I don't know the cost of solar but I would consider the payback period. Plus, I'm not sure what has to happen when/if the roof of the house has to be replaced. Do the panels have to be removed and then re-installed?
I would suggest looking at additional attic insulation. One of the previous owners of my house had additional blown in insulation added which I think helps keep my costs down and may be a bigger bang for your dollar.