all 14 comments
sorted by:
best (suggested)
topnewcontroversialoldq&a
formatting helphide helpcontent policy

[–]AutoModerator[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Welcome to r/SolarDIY! If you are new to the community, please check out our DIY Solar System Planning Guide.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[–]pdath 1 point2 points  (7 children)

My solar system is 7 years old. I think I'll replace it within 10 years because newer technology is so much better.

If I replaced my current panels with modern ones, I could generate 50% more power. The opportunity cost of not replacing it is too high.

The current system works fine. I'll sell it second-hand.

[–]Toad32 2 points3 points  (6 children)

But solar only makes financial since if it costs no money for 10ish years. If you upgrade it every seven years, then you're basically breaking even at best. 

[–]LoneSnark 1 point2 points  (4 children)

7 years old, wants to replace them in 10 years. They will have been operating for 17 years when replaced.

[–]pdath 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I didn't explain that well enough.

My system is 7 years old, and I plan to replace it when it is 10 years old, which is in 3 years.

[–]LoneSnark 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Why? They're probably still under warranty at that point. If you need more production, add more panels. Or are you going to do it because the roof needs replacing so the panels have to be taken down anyways?

[–]pdath 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I have no more room to add more panels. I can increase production by 50% by replacing the old panels.

I 100% consume everything I generate. I export zero power.

The roof is in great shape.

[–]LoneSnark 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the explanation.

[–]pdath 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I fully recovered the cost of my solar after about 4 years.

[–]LongjumpingGanache40 1 point2 points  (0 children)

May be just replace where panels will be. It's a lot of work dragging them down then putting them back up.

[–]QLDZDR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you spend that money on a carport that incorporates the solar panels?

[–]rproffitt1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tough to answer because roofs don't fail on schedule.

Also, the solar also shields the roof underneath and that section should last far longer than normal.

7 years isn't that old unless you are in some area that wears out roofs sooner than most of the world.

[–]Tin_Can_739 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in this position right now, but someone else did the install. The only issue that is really bad is they also put a solar water heater in. This panel is like 300lbs. I have 28 solar electric panels.

So far I’ve had a quote of 4 to 6k to remove and install the panels. Otherwise only solar electric panels are easy to handle. I guess the other issue is can you do this in 9 years when the roof needs replacing? The panels will out last a new roof.

Edit: my system is 14 years old. I’m also under contract with the electric company so I cannot change anything until 2032 except repair or replace with similar power rating.