[bobs57]

For the environment a great idea. In most cases the payback on investment is never realized, the only person that benefits are the people selling the panels to you.

[Dlbonivich]

My electric bill never goes over 200$ with SECO. Most times below $120. It seems like it would take a really long time to recoup the cost. It is not popular if you have to resale your house.

[TPRLOC]

We had SOLAR installed six months ago , and , with a new roof; Duke bill is now 20.00 per month --- SUNPRO was installing company, Now; ADT , call Larry Austin , 352-978-3500 for any further information ; And , I do not worry about anything 12 years down the road.

[Sunshine Dale]

Originally Posted by Henryk

I'm thinking of options regarding electricity. Solar electric (NOT pool heaters or such things) of the whole house can save lots of money once over the initial investment.

Do you have solar electric? Does it live up to its reputation for saving money on the electric bill? Who did the job for you? Would you hire them again?

TIA from the novice.

My 2,000sq ft home used received 37kw from Seco and returned 32kw for a net usage of 5KW. I have a Bosch 20 seer HVAC 1-29-22 7am thru 1-30-22 7:30 am Done Right Electric Perry 303–8166

[irishwonone]

Originally Posted by Henryk

I'm thinking of options regarding electricity. Solar electric (NOT pool heaters or such things) of the whole house can save lots of money once over the initial investment.

Do you have solar electric? Does it live up to its reputation for saving money on the electric bill? Who did the job for you? Would you hire them again?

TIA from the novice.

Great question. Google solar shingles! Although we don’t have them from reading the information they sound like a great investment for Florida considering both cost and longevity. Good luck.

[msmr23@gmail.com]

At $100-140 +/- per month for utility bill, it didn't pencil out for us, and when buying we rejected houses with solar, concerned about roof issues.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by Dlbonivich

My electric bill never goes over 200$ with SECO. Most times below $120. It seems like it would take a really long time to recoup the cost. It is not popular if you have to resale your house.

The other issue with SECO is that SECO is a coop, and not governed by the same rules as Duke and others. A non-coop electric company must pay you the same rate for your electricity as they charge you. A coop is exempt, and SECO pays you about 85%-90% of what they charge you. None of these systems directly power your home - electricity must be sold back to your provider, and then they sell back to you. Even with Tesla, power goes to your provider, then Tesla has an option to store incoming power in a battery bank (called a Tesla Wall) to cover outages.

With SECO, you need to get enough banks to cover ~115% of the power you use - and even then you'll never get to zero. There is a $30/month member fee that never goes away.

I researched this heavily - going solar may make you feel good, but you'll never come close to paying it off.

One more important thing to take into account if you do purchase - all solar panels lose about 10% efficiency in their first year of use. They remain stable after that, but I guarantee the salesman won't mention that you'll only have 90% of what you paid for after year one.

[rlcooper70]

Feathering the shingles is very simple and it does work. And no one sees beneath the solar panels so getting an "exact" color is not an issue.

Perhaps we should be talking about just plain "do the right thing" for society rather than "outliving" the system.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by rlcooper70

Feathering the shingles is very simple and it does work. And no one sees beneath the solar panels so getting an "exact" color is not an issue.

Perhaps we should be talking about just plain "do the right thing" for society rather than "outliving" the system.

"Do the right thing" for society? Have you ever researched the amount of toxic waste the environment gets from old solar panels and batteries? Far worse than anything the power plant puts out, yet the powers that be call it "green".

Solar Panels Produce Tons of Toxic Waste—Literally - Foundation for Economic Education

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by Bgillam

I wonder why Florida Legislature would want to take away solar jobs and savings for us??

Simple one word answer to your question: Lobbyists.

[Heytubes]

Don’t forget the 24% Federal Solar Tax Credit.

[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by DAIII

I had TESLA solar install mine- it's a wonderful system with full application and 0 down time with power. I have in both of my homes this combined with Tesla vehicles in both homes to me it saves. (time and money) think of never needing an oil change or tune ups or dealership visits or to visit a gas station)

The shingles under the panels do not get exposed to UV (which breaks down the shingles) so no need to replace under. just feather into the existing.

When you get a solar system you form a contract with your electric supplier and you are locked into a buy back rate. (credits for unused or sold electric) just don't over build your system and use what you need. You won't make money selling the extra electric anyway.

Tesla has a 25 year bumper to bumper on the solar so it should outlive me.

Hope this helps!!

Here in Florida because of rainfall and humidity the shingles under the panels will suffer from mold and mildew. They may not even last as long as the exposed shingles

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Bgillam

I wonder why Florida Legislature would want to take away solar jobs and savings for us?? The electric company want us to turn our thermostats to 65 for the whole weekend. They need help with solar power.

“Savings for us”? Net net there are no savings when tax credits are involved, one parties savings are others tax burden.

[Proveone]

Originally Posted by Henryk

I'm thinking of options regarding electricity. Solar electric (NOT pool heaters or such things) of the whole house can save lots of money once over the initial investment.

Do you have solar electric? Does it live up to its reputation for saving money on the electric bill? Who did the job for you? Would you hire them again?

TIA from the novice.

I have had it since 2019 and love it. I wish I had done it years earlier. I have never had a zero bill because SECO is a co-op and customers pay $1 a day to be a member but I have had bills less than $10. Solar companies will tell you payback period is 8 to 10 years but it is really 12 to 13 years. Another problem is that the Florida legislature has a bill that is back by electric companies to not pay solar customers as much for what they produce, don't use and goes back into the grid. Currently SECO charges customers about $.11 a kwh and pays solar customers a little less than $.08 a kwh. Florida politics is backing big utilities. SAD!

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Henryk

I'm thinking of options regarding electricity. Solar electric (NOT pool heaters or such things) of the whole house can save lots of money once over the initial investment.

Do you have solar electric? Does it live up to its reputation for saving money on the electric bill? Who did the job for you? Would you hire them again?

TIA from the novice.

Maybe I don’t understand SOLAR PANELS. What happens when you need a new roof? Do you have pay to have Solar Panels taken off & replaced or does the Solar company pay for that? Also I’m sure there’s some maintenance to Solar Panels, explain because I don’t know!