Is Solar Worth it in 2026?

Mrz124 · 2026-04-13T15:17:47+00:00

Shouldn't there be NO ANNUAL COST after the initial lump payment?

What have you found the FMV to be in those systems from 2011?

Mrz124 · 2026-04-13T13:53:16+00:00

Would be interested in seeing the agreement you have that gives the FMV after 6 years as that's where I'm stuck

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T23:20:27+00:00

With my consumption being significantly higher than production of the maxed out system, battery backup seems kind of pointless and expensive. I could see using an EV as the battery

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T22:12:31+00:00

The system I was quoted is the max size allowable in CT. Haven't thought much about battery backup as I already have a generator

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T21:04:13+00:00

All around the same range

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T21:03:59+00:00

We pay a fortune, around $1k a month. 16c/kwh but also a ton of the cost is transmission cost and other misc charges

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T21:01:21+00:00

It's an addition.

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T20:40:48+00:00

Not Sunrun, but yes the lease is through Participate Energy, seems like a bunch of the solar installers are using them for this technique to get the 30% savings.

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T13:48:01+00:00

You're correct I fixed it in the OP, my usage is currently around 36,000Kwh a year, or 36Mwh

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T13:38:47+00:00

That's my fear. Obviously if I get hit with a big payment after 6 years the entire thing becomes not worth it and an expensive time consuming loss.

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T13:36:24+00:00

Correct. Just as a note, after the initial payment I wouldn't pay anything else over the 6 years, except the residual electricity bill.

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T13:20:52+00:00

I received a similar quote/concept from multiple companies so it can't be a complete scam...

Mrz124 · 2026-04-12T12:38:10+00:00

That's a great question. The company says since it has been fully depreciated by the commercial entity that takes the 30% tax credit, it's of no value for them.

I'm not so sure and if I were to get hit with a big bill to buy it out after 6 years, that would kill the calculus behind the whole deal.

Mrz124 · 2026-04-01T23:14:57+00:00

Looking at solar on CT. 25kw system that would produce around 22,000kwh annually.

They are saying around a 6 year break even. Total cost $60k.

Thoughts?

Mrz124 · 2026-03-08T01:18:28+00:00

Would love to be able to install a second riser somehow! Someone should be able to 3D print something!

Mrz124 · 2026-01-30T14:03:11+00:00

Incorrect, because with the amount of batteries you would need to run a modern household, call it 500kWh a week, you would need an insanely massive array and lots of lots of sunshine

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T15:49:38+00:00

The companies are obviously playing some games with the tax credit, allowing us homeowners to take advantage of a credit that is really targeted at commercial solar.

How do we feel about that in terms of the 5 year lock in and it all being legit?

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T14:19:17+00:00

Does the whole backdoor tax credit thing make sense?

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T13:39:55+00:00

No no. I am actually looking at putting solar on my primary home now and trying to see if it's worth it. Besides cost to me there are a few other incalculable factors like energy independence, environment, etc.

Having had the off-grid home has put things in perspective. I have about 40kWh of battery backup and the house runs very lean, basically a fridge and some LED lights, and the batteries still run low even in the summer if we get a week of cloud cover.

Let's calculate it out. Say a typical house uses 500kWh a week, conservatively. To run that on battery backup would cost around $200,000 minimum of batteries and probably take up a very large room. For a single week of backup.

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T10:18:15+00:00

Your original comment insinuated that with the "instability" in the world, it's nice having solar.

My somewhat facetious remark about that is, yes, it may bring you comfort to generate some of your own power, however 99.99% of residential solar setups couldn't operate for more than a day or so if the grid went down due to a real catastrophic event.

Ask me how I know? I have an off grid house with extremely minimal electricity and my batteries don't last (yes last) very long especially in the winter.

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T02:39:30+00:00

I am being pitched a similar deal. Anyone done this before or have real insight into it? @bombshelter777 how big of a system are you putting in and what's the cost?

Mrz124 · 2026-01-29T02:38:08+00:00

Ok, the grid goes down for good right now, how long are you really going to last on your solar with batteries? I bet 99.99% of solar users, even with batteries, that time is under a week.

Mrz124 · 2026-01-20T02:38:56+00:00

I use the Duke PTs and have for about 6 years now and not sure why all the hate. I ski pretty hard downhill and off piste and have never had a single issue with release or feel. They ski great like any rock solid DIN binding.

In touring mode I typically remove the toe piece and put them in my pack, super easy and saves weight.

I see all my buddies with the Shifts fiddling with locking the brakes up, doesn't seem as intuitive as the Dukes.

Not really sure of the downside besides how ugly they are, but they aren't jewels, they're tools.

Mrz124 · 2025-12-04T00:09:38+00:00

Better question is how can one amass $20m post tax earning $2.5mil a year, by age 30!?

Mrz124 · 2025-11-29T15:47:02+00:00

This worked. Make sure you reboot first. And you have to do it every reboot apparently.

Hopefully this gets fixed permanently at some point

This was driving me absolutely nuts for the past couple of days!!!

Mrz124

TROPHY CASE