[CTFORSBERG]

That’s what I believe also and what I’ve read but the biggest concern right now is that it’s very difficult to sell your home if you have solar because it’s basically a 20 year commitment on lease payments. Maybe if your heating bill or was $1000 a month or more then it might justify it but anything to 300 a month forget it not worth it in my opinion

[retiredguy123]

I don't get it. If solar energy is a good idea, why don't the power companies use it? In my opinion, installing solar panels on individual asphalt shingle roofs, and then selling the energy back to the power company doesn't make sense.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

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

There is more to consider than just the shingles.
All the mountings for solar (whether for electric or pool heating) drill into the under shingle sheeting and plywood.

We recently had our roof replaced. Had to remove solar system (pool heating).....50% of all plywood sheeting where the panels were mounted had weather rot.....hence significant plywood replacement.

After that education plus the sun baked piping that needed to be replaced (system was 12 years old) we decided to not have the pool heating solar system replaced. (We have gas heater as primary pool heater).

Long story short....it is not about just the shingles!!!!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

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!

Yes, when you replace your roof, you need to hire a solar company to remove and re-install the panels. That can cost about $4,000.

The solar contractor will provide a 25-30 year parts and labor warranty when they install the system. But, I don't believe that any small contractor can expect to service that type of warranty and stay in business.

[ProfessorDave]

Was in the industry. Honestly. Rarely achieves promises. Multiple reasons. Includes: a. Weather... causing damage and debris... b. Roof... needing repairs or replacement requiring solar panel remove/replace....c. design not at ideal sun angles... d. Inaccurate computations... etc

[MrFlorida]

A friend of mine had his solar panels ripped off his roof during one of our famous storms... cracked the beams underneath.

[RealJudy]

I used Solar Trek, Todd 408-9447, for my home and am awaiting them to install solar panels on my rental villa. I’ve had them on my home about 3 years and am saving more than they estimated. With energy costs going up I believe they underestimated my savings, which is about $90 a month.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by metoo21

Well, since insurers seem to want everyone to replace their roof every 15 years in order to insure the house, be aware that the panels have to be removed first and then put back afterwards. Extra $$

Do you have any proof that anyone has had their insurance cancelled?
Think about what you just said… Over 1/3 of the villages has a home that is older than 15 years. According to you....About 12,000 homes that will need to have their roofs immediately replaced due to their age.
Yet here you are ignoring the news story of the century trying to throw shade to someone who is looking to make his life better. Another example that fake news came of age when old people learned how to use the Internet.
So....is your roof older than 15 years old? and if yes did you replace it?

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Dana1963

I hope you receive a response from an actual user. Too many times all responses are opinion-based.

Hahahaha....can all but guarantee that won't happen!

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't get it. If solar energy is a good idea, why don't the power companies use it? In my opinion, installing solar panels on individual asphalt shingle roofs, and then selling the energy back to the power company doesn't make sense.

Power companies actually do!!! Every solar panel on every roof or backyard is an extension of the power company. Think about it..... Power companies get consumers to foot the upfront cost of solar panel installation and then the power companies pay less than they would pay for other forms of energy from these customers. Intern customers save money on their power bills.

[Boston1945]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

So let’s say 12 years or so after you install the panels you have to replace the roof. How are you going to find shingles that match? Will that partial replacement void the new shingle warranty and how will the insurance company feel about this method of reroofing?

Trust me, the insurance company wants the entire roof replaced. They do not buy into just replacing the exposed parts of the roof.

[bruce213]

I went solar Dec 2019. My 20 and 21 ele bill was reduced by 75%. My ROI should be between 13-16 years depending on energy cost increases. So to make it work you need to be strong green or live in your house 20+ years. If you have any questions PM me.

[montagnard1969]

This is something you must determine based on Return On Investment [ROI]. A solar array for a whole house installation can run upwards of $20,000 depending if you have battery backup in addition to adding a second electric meter to sell back any excess electricity your system produces.
You must also consider the maintenance of the system, meaning cleaning and replacement of underperforming solar panels. In addition the condition of your roof materials should be assessed. If you have a new asphalt shingle rood you should be okay for the short term, however if you spring a leak you may incur additional costs to remove/replace the solar panels to repair the leak from beneath them. Don’t think because you install a system it’s all savings of the electric bill. There are many costs to consider, one being how much electricity you consume and how many years it will take to recover the cost of the installation and maintenance. If it is going to take 15-20 years to recover those costs will you keep the property that long? How much will you save in electricity costs versus how much will you spend to install the system. Solar is a great alternative but perhaps a less expensive system to supplement your electricity usage is a greater benefit versus a whole house system. You have to crunch the numbers and always remember to consider the ROI.

[mpalazzola]

A complicated question going solar. Was going to the moon worth it? Was your first computer worth it? Here are some facts: they work. They work so well Duke and Seco are building their own solar farms. My return on investment has been 8%. Yeah, some years the stock market does better, but every year I need electricity. Will they pay for themselves: yes, in 12 years. When will the new granite my wife buys break even? The answer to both is when you sell the house. Is distributed power better for everyone? Yes, otherwise we would have one big power plant, vs 1000's smaller ones. The panels cover the shingles that wear out first. So the roof lasts longer, but insurance companies decide when roofs are replaced in the Villages. So it will cost you a little more to remove the panels and reinstall them during the roof replacement. I produced 100% of my electrical needs last year. But most people will for many reasons (space, location roof style, money) install only a few panels. Saving some of their energy needs. If you cut your eclectic bill 25% with solar, what is the controversy? If you add better insulation you can reduce your energy needs too. Some people just want to hate solar.

[Boston1945]

Originally Posted by billethkid

There is more to consider than just the shingles.
All the mountings for solar (whether for electric or pool heating) drill into the under shingle sheeting and plywood.

We recently had our roof replaced. Had to remove solar system (pool heating).....50% of all plywood sheeting where the panels were mounted had weather rot.....hence significant plywood replacement.

After that education plus the sun baked piping that needed to be replaced (system was 12 years old) we decided to not have the pool heating solar system replaced. (We have gas heater as primary pool heater).

Long story short....it is not about just the shingles!!!!

BINGO! Enough said on this issue about the roof.