[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

True - Florida is a state where the utilities don't like you competing with them in making electricity. However. back in 2011 in CT it was a different story. I put a 28 panel solar system on my roof and got substantial federal tax credits and a state rebate. Soon after it went online my electrical bill went down to zero. Once a year the utility zeros out the excess Kwh I put into the grid and issues me a credit for a couple hundred dollars. The panels are guaranteed to produce at 85% output after 25 years, and new panels are now half the price of the ones that are installed. Electrical bills have gone through the roof in CT due to additional "social benefits" add on and other charges that have taken effect. Bills are in the $400-$600 per month range for a typical home. Electricity is cheap down here in Florida, and not worth putting in solar panels, unless you are somehow inclined to believe you are "saving" the environment.

I didn't realize the panels can be economical as they were in CT. I still would not have them installed for other reasons I mentioned.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Tinker.....Solar panels do not make financial sense anywhere in the country, not just here in Florida. Not to mention the panels look unsightly and deface the home. I would not want holes in my roof for the installation of the panels. The panels are a lose lose situation from my POV.

I agree. It makes no sense to attach solar panels to an expensive roof. You are just asking for leaks and other problems. No one has commented on how you can repair a roof leak when you have solar panels. I doubt that a roofer will attempt to repair a roof that has solar panels on it.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. It makes no sense to attach solar panels to an expensive roof. You are just asking for leaks and other problems. No one has commented on how you can repair a roof leak when you have solar panels. I doubt that a roofer will attempt to repair a roof that has solar panels on it.

It wasn't worth commenting on, but.....

There are likely more leaks from the six or more roof penetrations on each of our roofs or the additional penetrations for garage fans and solar tubes than there are from professionally-installed solar panels.

There are videos on how a homeowner can repair a leak from a solar panel installation. I haven't watched them but the technique must be similar to that used for any other installation (solar pool heater, antenna, solar lighting tube, oven hood vent, hot water heater vent, garage fan, attic vent, etc). Patching a hole on a roof is not a new thing and a hole from a bolt holding a solar panel is not significantly different.

You "doubt that a roofer would attempt to repair a roof that has solar panels on it." I doubt you would have any trouble at all finding a professional to do a job. Recognizing that neither of us have solar panels or, apparently, know anyone who does, let's stop speculating and hear from someone who does.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

It wasn't worth commenting on, but.....

There are likely more leaks from the six or more roof penetrations on each of our roofs or the additional penetrations for garage fans and solar tubes than there are from professionally-installed solar panels.

There are videos on how a homeowner can repair a leak from a solar panel installation. I haven't watched them but the technique must be similar to that used for any other installation (solar pool heater, antenna, solar lighting tube, oven hood vent, hot water heater vent, garage fan, attic vent, etc). Patching a hole on a roof is not a new thing and a hole from a bolt holding a solar panel is not significantly different.

You "doubt that a roofer would attempt to repair a roof that has solar panels on it." I doubt you would have any trouble at all finding a professional to do a job. Recognizing that neither of us have solar panels or, apparently, know anyone who does, let's stop speculating and hear from someone who does.

I would just mention that there was another poster on another thread that had a small roof leak under a solar panel, and he had no idea how to get it repaired. Any roofer will be happy to make a small repair if it involves a typical roof penetration, like a pipe or a duct. But removing expensive solar panels is an entirely different situation. Most homeowners will not even attempt to go on their roof. Very dangerous.

[ronda]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Be aware there are people, currently in Pinellas going door to door asking to review your electric bill and show you that solar panels are financially a good idea. I have done my own analysis and in the state of Florida (net metering), these do not make financial sense.
Please be very cautious about the people.

I was thinking about doing the same analysis. Since you have already done it, would you mind sharing it? Yes, my situation may be somewhat differnet, but probably similar to yours.

Thanks

[pcntech]

Florida is going down the same path California did. It is a disaster in California and will be in Florida. When too many people and companies go solar, electric companies will complain that their revenue is falling off. They will request and get rate hikes. Avoid solar. If you do get it, avoid the lithium battery in your garage unless you have AC running on it 24/7.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Be aware there are people, currently in Pinellas going door to door asking to review your electric bill and show you that solar panels are financially a good idea. I have done my own analysis and in the state of Florida (net metering), these do not make financial sense.
Please be very cautious about the people.

Home Solar is great. It's the Aluminum Siding business for this century.

The Rooftop Solar Industry Could Be On the Verge of Collapse | TIME

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...climate-china/

Coloradans accuse Xcel Energy of dragging its feet on solar installations to protect its profits - CBS Colorado

Attorney general's office investigates surge of solar panel installation complaints • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Access to this page has been denied

https://projects.newsday.com/long-is...es-complaints/

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/...iness-climate/

https://calmatters.org/environment/2...solar-payment/

https://www.ilec.coop/post/complaints-over-solar-rise

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/so...ut-of-business

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

There are videos on how a homeowner can repair a leak from a solar panel installation. I haven't watched them but the technique must be similar to that used for any other installation (solar pool heater, antenna, solar lighting tube, oven hood vent, hot water heater vent, garage fan, attic vent, etc). Patching a hole on a roof is not a new thing and a hole from a bolt holding a solar panel is not significantly different.

Yes, because it’s a good idea for a 65 or 70 year old to climb on their roof, around solar panels to fix a leak.

[MX rider]

When we did the math on solar the payback was 15 years. So for 15 years you actually don't save a dime, that's just getting back to even.

Not worth is for us at this point in our lives.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MX rider

When we did the math on solar the payback was 15 years. So for 15 years you actually don't save a dime, that's just getting back to even.

Not worth is for us at this point in our lives.

With a 15-year payback period, it isn't worth it for anyone.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Home Solar is great. It's the Aluminum Siding business for this century.

The Rooftop Solar Industry Could Be On the Verge of Collapse | TIME

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...climate-china/

Coloradans accuse Xcel Energy of dragging its feet on solar installations to protect its profits - CBS Colorado

Attorney general's office investigates surge of solar panel installation complaints • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Access to this page has been denied

https://projects.newsday.com/long-is...es-complaints/

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/...iness-climate/

https://calmatters.org/environment/2...solar-payment/

https://www.ilec.coop/post/complaints-over-solar-rise

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/so...ut-of-business

In the mid 70's while living in Texas I got a phone call from a telemarketer selling aluminum siding. I told her that I had a brick home, and she came back with "Oh, we can install the siding over the brick".

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

In the mid 70's while living in Texas I got a phone call from a telemarketer selling aluminum siding. I told her that I had a brick home, and she came back with "Oh, we can install the siding over the brick".

Either she is clueless or nobody bothered to train her before unleashing on customers

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

In the mid 70's while living in Texas I got a phone call from a telemarketer selling aluminum siding. I told her that I had a brick home, and she came back with "Oh, we can install the siding over the brick".

When they renovated the old Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, built in 1905, they discovered that the marble columns in the lobby had been covered with drywall.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

True - Florida is a state where the utilities don't like you competing with them in making electricity. However. back in 2011 in CT it was a different story. I put a 28 panel solar system on my roof and got substantial federal tax credits and a state rebate. Soon after it went online my electrical bill went down to zero. Once a year the utility zeros out the excess Kwh I put into the grid and issues me a credit for a couple hundred dollars. The panels are guaranteed to produce at 85% output after 25 years, and new panels are now half the price of the ones that are installed. Electrical bills have gone through the roof in CT due to additional "social benefits" add on and other charges that have taken effect. Bills are in the $400-$600 per month range for a typical home. Electricity is cheap down here in Florida, and not worth putting in solar panels, unless you are somehow inclined to believe you are "saving" the environment.

We didn't have central air, and our heat was oil. So our electric bill was really only horrible during the heat waves, when we used 3 window air conditioners at full blast just to cool off our 1957-built 1100-square-foot house with an attic roof that didn't have an exhaust fan or ridge vent. Even then, it didn't get more than $200 in August or July. Meanwhile our oil heat was insanely expensive, so we felt like we were getting a break in the summer, when the heat was shut off.

We actually did look into the possibility of converting to electric heat and central air, and having solar panels power it. But the cost for all of that would've been over $100,000 up front. Would've needed new ductwork and vent systems, removing the oil tank, getting a new furnace, etc. etc. etc.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

In the mid 70's while living in Texas I got a phone call from a telemarketer selling aluminum siding. I told her that I had a brick home, and she came back with "Oh, we can install the siding over the brick".

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Either she is clueless or nobody bothered to train her before unleashing on customers

As ridiculous as it sounds, plenty of "brick buildings" were covered with Vinyl (& I assume some aluminum), back in the 70's. "Brick" was out of style and Vinyl Siding was the "in thing", for a "new, fresh look".