[defrey12]

Originally Posted by maciaj01

Hi everyone- I have been thinking about going solar. I’ve received 4 different estimates. The recent one is from Freedom Solar Power. The headquarters is in San Antonio TX, but local branch is in Tampa.

I am having a hard time finding any credible information about the Tampa branch. Since there are many bad stories about companies installing solar panels, I would like to ask your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you,
Jan (Citrus Grove)

First, you’ll not save the planet, or any $$$, by installing solar panels. Sorry, just facts. Second, why would you put holes in a perfectly good roof? I don’t care what you do, I’ve never seen any after-market roof procedures NOT leak.

[Heytubes]

At one time, with my VELUX skylight business, VELUX manufactured solar powered water heaters. Profit was fair and payback was reasonable. Plus, there were and are some state and Federal solar tax credits which made solar water heaters practical. The solar panels were installed just like our skylights, thus when the roof was replaced, the panels remained in place like a skylight and a new roof only required a new inexpensive flashing. VELUX ended up selling their system to another solar company as they knew once the tax credits would expire, it would be financially unfeasible to recoup the investment without tax credits. I quit selling them and only sold solar powered skylights that had a better payback for the homeowner. Thus, if it sounds to be too good to be true, it usually is.

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by Burnie

But 28 solar panels must have been pretty expensive. How long to get an actual return on your investment?

Back in 2011, the solar panels were expensive - about $400 each. Today they are half the price. But there was a HUGE federal income tax deduction at the time and the state of CT kicked in an additional $10k credit. The system has long been paid off, especially in light of the huge electric bills my neighbors are now paying. But don't expect the same scenario in Florida.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

In spite of all the sunshine, solar is not a good investment in Florida. The power companies will take a good cut of your output, and the insurance companies will be forcing you to replace your roof after 10 years. And you certainly don't want to do one of those "no money down" lease deals. Contrast this to my home in CT, where I installed 28 solar panels on my roof in 2011. Have not bought a single watt of electricity since. The utility company gives me a kw for every kw I put into the grid. No pressure to replace my roof shingles (which are covered by the panels anyway) and I get a credit for excess kw produced at the end of the year. I only pay for metering, which is about $12/month. Pretty good for CT, where residents are now paying huge electrical bills ($400+/month and more)

Are other rate payers in Connecticut forced to subsidize the panels? That probably would not never happen in Florida.

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Are other rate payers in Connecticut forced to subsidize the panels? That probably would not never happen in Florida.

Don't know if there is a current program in CT. Probably not. It was unusual to see solar panels on roofs here in 2011.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by defrey12

First, you’ll not save the planet, or any $$$, by installing solar panels. Sorry, just facts. Second, why would you put holes in a perfectly good roof? I don’t care what you do, I’ve never seen any after-market roof procedures NOT leak.

Very expensive when you need a new roof.

[bruce213]

I've had solar panels for 5 yrs. No problems and has reduced my energy cost by 75%. The solar company estimated a 13yr roi. It real life it looks more like a 16 yr roi. I'm happy with it and would do it again.

[CybrSage]

Reading through the thread, it appears the consensus is that solar is good if electricity rates are very high, but since Florida has low rates they are not really worth it to do in Florida.

This is not even taking into account installers giving multi decade contracts to install for free.

There are some types of panels, more expensive, that are part of the roof which could be good if I stalled when a new roof is installed, such as solar tiles, but the bolt on type appear to cause more harm than good.

Florida needs to get electric choice like PA has. You pick your generation company. That means you can choose a green company if saving the planet is the goal.

[MrFlorida]

Heavy winds (hurricane) can lift solar panels off your roof, and take your roof with it.
They also have to come off when you replace the shingles... mostly every 15 years .

[MollyJo]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

I would NOT buy a house that had solar cells on the roof. Period.

Exactly.

[tankman]

Installed solar panels on my home in The Villages in 2005. Florida had a program at that time giving me $4/watt. Received $12,000 for a system that cost me $15,000. The system generated about 4 megawatts/year, giving me a savings of about $600/year. By the sixth year the system had paid for itself and the $600 was true savings. Needed to replace the roof in 2020, so I scrapped the system at that time. Total savings over the life of the system was about $6,000. I did all the work to install and remove to avoid labor costs. These types of systems will never be cost effective unless the state or federal government subsidize them as they did mine.

[snbrafford]

Originally Posted by maciaj01

Hi everyone- I have been thinking about going solar. I’ve received 4 different estimates. The recent one is from Freedom Solar Power. The headquarters is in San Antonio TX, but local branch is in Tampa.

I am having a hard time finding any credible information about the Tampa branch. Since there are many bad stories about companies installing solar panels, I would like to ask your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you,
Jan (Citrus Grove)

I would echo another post in that you may be making a huge investment with questionable payback on a home that may not be your last - we just purchased our 2nd home and we had thought we would never move from our first one. I thing I've always wondered is how to solar panels (and solar water heating) affect roof replacement which is a real problem in FL. What has to be done when the roof needs to be replaced? Also - how do solar panels affect the resale value of your home - I would not look at a house with them. I'm not sure of the "saving the environment" aspect either with the mining and manufacture necessary and then the disposal.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by snbrafford

I would echo another post in that you may be making a huge investment with questionable payback on a home that may not be your last - we just purchased our 2nd home and we had thought we would never move from our first one. I thing I've always wondered is how to solar panels (and solar water heating) affect roof replacement which is a real problem in FL. What has to be done when the roof needs to be replaced? Also - how do solar panels affect the resale value of your home - I would not look at a house with them. I'm not sure of the "saving the environment" aspect either with the mining and manufacture necessary and then the disposal.

To replace a roof, the solar company needs to remove all solar panels, store them, and then re-install them after the new roof is completed. You can expect to pay about $4,000 to $5,000 for the solar panel work. One problem you may have is that the original company who installed the solar system may be the only company who will do the work.

Almost all solar companies will tell you that the solar system will increase the value of your house, but I don't believe it. They will also provide a 25-year warranty for parts and labor. I don't believe that any small company can service a warranty for 25 years.

[UpNorth]

Relative to other states, electricity is cheap in Florida. Plus, the electric companies don't want you to make electricity and compete with them. They are in the business of selling electricity. I would not do panels in Florida.

[Tobys Dad]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

I would NOT buy a house that had solar cells on the roof. Period.

Now there is an informative opinion. SMH