Share your experience with going to solar to power your home
 

Im considering going to solar to power my home and have many questions. Any tips, suggestions, or things to look out for? Did it save you as much as the salesperson said it would? With the new bill + the monthly bill to the solar company combined, are you paying more or less than your original bill? Do you regret doing it? What im worried most is the accuracy of their estimates, what can you do if it wasnt what you expected? Bsically impossible to cancel or remove it... So thats what worries me the most, so id rather hear your actual opnions and/or experiences

Thanks!

Guess the questions is what type of PV? Does it connect to grid or batteries?

I have PV on my first house which we just sold and the one we just bought just so happens to have PV on it as well. Both I was lucky enough to be connected to the grid so I don't have to have batteries at my house. Here in Hawaii you are no longer able to connect to the grid for new installations so batteries is the only way now.

First house I paid for the install my current house the previous owner installed it but most likely is about the same. I own both systems so no monthly rental fees to any company just direct savings with the electric company.

Of course depending on your area the installation cost will vary. I paid $20k for 17 panels installed. I don't remember the kW hours I was told and what I actually got for that house. But my bill went from $300/month to the minimum $17 and change on normal months. Summer months while it does have more sun we also run the AC all the time we were home so it went to about $125 which is still saving me money.

My current house has 23 panels and it is producing about 37kW a month if I'm reading my electric bill correctly. I live on the windward side of the island now so sun isn't the greatest all the time.


No regrets here. But I do own the system. I did not choose the lease because it is just like a loan to the PV company. I hate loans besides my mortgage. Since I don't lease I don't have any problems with anyone else so no need to cancel. If I want to disconnect from the grid (not sure why I would want to) its just a breaker outside.

Only issue I see is when I need to reroof. We have asphalt shingles so it will need to be done sooner or later but I'm guess not for another 10 - 15 years.

I always kind of thought it's really not worth it unless you can get some kind of serious rebate or something from the electric company. Basically paying for electricity up front.

It is more than worth it if you have the cash to put up.

I own my system. Normal electric bill would be $300+. I'm paying the minimum monthly hook up fee of $17 and change. Thats $3,600 a year. 10 years it more than pays for its self and anything beyond that is savings. Now I'm sure shit will break etc.

Electricity is also expensive here I'm not sure what everyone else pays but I've heard its high. .3104 per kW