Solar power who’s the best?

[Jinx]

Not a big fan of Solar, I hate that the companies offer amazing warranties well knowing they won’t be in business to ever honor those a contracts.

The panels they sell are only getting cheaper in cost and quality. So basically the production you get today out of them won’t be the production you get down the road.

The installers will tear up your roof, and it will cost double to triple to reroof your house if there are solar panels on it.

If you insist on getting Solar make sure you look hard are getting a battery installed with it so it can be claim as part of the system for the tax credits. You also get some benefit after the sun goes down or if there is a power outage with the grid.

All that being said, if you have to have solar, Mount the system OFF your house (free standing system) where you can clean them, get the battery, plan on never getting anyone to honor the warranty. Oh and like Nate said spend on paying 21 years to realized the savings from a then 20 years system.

 

[Gravy]

Next time the solar flatbiller bros come by -
Scratch your armpits, drool a little and start placing your fast food order.

Seems to work for me.

 

[comingdown]

Perhaps it’s different but what you guys are saying doesn’t match up with my real life experience. My parents put solar on 2 houses they still own well over 20 years ago in San Diego and they have literally had zero problems with the roof, or the panels. They are still working awesome. So I guess Utah is just behind the curve in this one.

 

[Skylinerider]

https://customenergy.solar/
Local company (actual journeymen electricians) that does installs all over Utah.

 

[N-Smooth]

Perhaps it’s different but what you guys are saying doesn’t match up with my real life experience. My parents put solar on 2 houses they still own well over 20 years ago in San Diego and they have literally had zero problems with the roof, or the panels. They are still working awesome. So I guess Utah is just behind the curve in this one.

San Diego is an ideal location for solar though. No extreme heat or cold and it’s sunny like every day. Utah weather trashes everything. Apples to oranges IMO

 

[Brad J]

I think that it's best for this to be my last post about Solar on RME. I have been happy to answer questions when someone asks about personal experiences. It always ends the same with the same responses that seem pointed and maybe I shouldn't take them personal.

Is there something better that you could do with your money? Probably

I always recommend to go with a trusted company that has been in the business for a long time and has a great track record. Tons of Solar companies come and go. I got quotes for double of what we paid for ours and I bet those companies are now out of business. If not then they should be if charging double for the same thing.

Sorry the solicitors are awful but aren't they all?

Most people do not replace their own roofs. We got a quote for ours and it was $7,500 to re-shingle. I have heard quotes of up to $30,000 for some co-workers to get their roofs replaced. It is $3,000 to have the panels taken off and reinstalled for the roof to be redone so that is the main reason why we reroofed before getting Solar Panels. Is now a good time to mention that some Roofing companies are crooks?

We had no issues with our installers and no leaks even though my Dad & I did the roof ourselves for $2,500.

We have added more attic insulation, Attic Radiant Barrier, a Solar Attic Fan, a whole home house fan and more efficient lights before we got Solar Panels and we have been very happy with the results from all of these.

Warranties - Everything that we buy has a warranty. How long is the Warranty on your TV, Appliances and Automobiles? Does that prevent you from buying them?

Here is the math better laid out from my experience. We end up owing a little every year at tax time but after the tax credits that we got from getting Solar ($9,250) $23,215 - $9,250 = $13,965 out of pocket. $13,965 / $90 = 155 months or 12.9 years for ROI if there are no changes to what the Power Company will charge.

We've been very happy with our Solar Panels. It would have been nice to get a battery pack but we wanted to keep the cost down when we got it. Now that it is paid off we might look into that option but I probably won't make any mention here.

 

[xjtony]

Zero issues with ours after 5 years as well. The only problem I've had is a Globe Willow that blocks some light when it needs a trim. The company that installed them is gone, but the panel manufacturer still honors the warranty on the panels and my system is still monitored for issues (I get an email report every month and if a panel is not performing I get informed).

 

[comingdown]

Thanks guys. My neighbors that have them all love them as well. There’s definitely some very strong opinions on solar that I didn’t anticipate. All the solicitors are annoying for sure but it’s the same with every d2d salesperson (solar, pest, security, etc). I wish I had a crystal ball to see the future but unfortunately I don’t. And just for fun I looked up average weather at my folks place vs mine. Normal highs we’re a degree higher, and normal colds were 18 degrees colder. So not really that huge of a difference (not including abnormal outliers). We’re still keeping our ears open for a good reputable company to do it but not our top priority at the moment. But someday

 

[Hickey]

Thanks guys. My neighbors that have them all love them as well. There’s definitely some very strong opinions on solar that I didn’t anticipate. All the solicitors are annoying for sure but it’s the same with every d2d salesperson (solar, pest, security, etc). I wish I had a crystal ball to see the future but unfortunately I don’t. And just for fun I looked up average weather at my folks place vs mine. Normal highs we’re a degree higher, and normal colds were 18 degrees colder. So not really that huge of a difference (not including abnormal outliers). We’re still keeping our ears open for a good reputable company to do it but not our top priority at the moment. But someday

As to the San Diego vs Utah climate difference, I believe Nate was referring to cloud cover, not temps. Southern California gets very little inclement weather, when compared to Northern Utah.

@Brad J i think you're taking it personal. Don't sweat it.

 

[comingdown]

As to the San Diego vs Utah climate difference, I believe Nate was referring to cloud cover, not temps. Southern California gets very little inclement weather, when compared to Northern Utah.

@Brad J i think you're taking it personal. Don't sweat it.

266 sunny days vs 222 in Lindon. Still not a huge difference that I see

 

[Herzog]

One of my favorite YouTube channels (wildwonderfuloffgrid) setup their own solar system and I’m impressed what they run on it. They are completely off grid and their system is solid. It has changed my view on solar with the way he set it up. Obviously he did a lot more than a door knocker is gonna provide so you have to take that into consideration.

 

[Gravy]

Definitely.
San Diego has like the mildest climate ever.

266 sunny days vs 222 in Lindon. Still not a huge difference that I see

Sunny days = days the sun appears. Not hrs of sunlight.

Snow covering panels makes panels ineffective. No matter how sunny it is.

Latitude also effects how directly a location receives sunshine. Especially at different times of year.

 

[comingdown]

Definitely.
San Diego has like the mildest climate ever.

Sunny days = days the sun appears. Not hrs of sunlight.

Snow covering panels makes panels ineffective. No matter how sunny it is.

Latitude also effects how directly a location receives sunshine. Especially at different times of year.

My roof is south facing and had snow on it only the 10 days it snowed this year.

 

[Gravy]

So how many snow days in Sam's Deago?

Also,
My dog was happy all day long everyday last week. My mother in law smiled once each day last week. Both had 7 happy days. Who had more happy?

 

[comingdown]

21 inches of snow in cuyamaca on average every year among many other places. Which is in San Diego county.

 

[comingdown]

So how many snow days in Sam's Deago?

Also,
My dog was happy all day long everyday last week. My mother in law smiled once each day last week. Both had 7 happy days. Who had more happy?

I don’t follow. Do you have solar panels and had a bad experience? Or is it purely anecdotal incidents that your mother in law and dog shared with you.

I’ve never owned a Jeep, only Toyota’s and Suzuki’s. I’m sure I can find plenty of terrible jeep experiences online and form a strong opinion that way. Or I could listen to jeep owners and see what their real life experiences are.

By this logic, why own a rock crawler if you don’t live in Moab or at sand hollow? Your never gonna get the correct ROI so your just wasting your money.

I was merely asking for people’s opinions in this state, who have done solar and if there are any companies better then others. I didn’t think so many people had such powerful opinions about solar.

 

[Hickey]

21 inches of snow in cuyamaca on average every year among many other places. Which is in San Diego county.

It's also in North America, where it's also snows.

 

[comingdown]

It's also in North America, where it's also snows.

He asked how many snow days in San Diego. Welcome to reality.

 

[jeeper]

Just adding another opinion.. because there has been a shortage here..

My original statement was simply that solar won’t give you a return on home value.
Neither did the detached garage I built. Neither did the deck I built. Neither will the new garage door I am moving on our garage. Neither did the new vinyl gate I installed for more trailer parking, neither did the trees I added. Neither will the basement finishing that I plan to do. Sure, each item may add some appeal and some additional value, but not nearly their cost.

A good friend bought and installed his own solar set up. Saved over half of what the companies wanted. He had to get the solar plans approved through the city, and then he and my brother installed them. The friend has gone all in on solar.. cars, dirtbikes, lawn equipment, etc are all electric and charged by his solar.

He’s happy.
I think his mustang E isn’t a real car though.

Point is, do what makes you happy. Do what gives you the benefit you want.

Not everything can be based on ROI. Otherwise, get rid of all our pets, most vehicles, children, etc.

 

[N-Smooth]

So I was commenting on that KSL story about Gephardt helping someone that "got scammed" by a solar company today and apparently my comment ruffled some feathers lol.

Long story short, someone reported my totally un-offensive comment, got it removed and that made me think of how fun this thread was.