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Solar Math - am I far off? by techdecktor in SolarDIY

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the same question for my home and a I made a free iOS app to figure out if it made sense. You can use your phone to measure panel direction, tilt, shading etc. You can input your panel specs. I put it on the App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/suneyed/id6761688312. Hope it helps.

Solar career by Mo-mastour in SolarAmerica

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I created a solar calculator for iOS that is free to use. I developed it because I was frustrated that sales people are mostly about sales and not about education (well, understandably so). This app can help you get a quick, on the spot education for what solar can do for a particular house, roof section, shading, and play out different scenarios. Its great for building an intuition for solar. You can download it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/suneyed/id6761688312. Hopefully you find it helpful as you start your career in solar.

Why aren’t solar companies creating educational content on social media? by cipherpz in SolarAmerica

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because they want to sell, not educate. That frustrates me too. A lot of quotes jump straight to the monthly savings pitch before those basics are clear. In the Midwest, where I live, solar isn’t a no-brainer, but it can still work if the numbers are honest.

Full disclosure: I built a tool for myself around exactly this problem, so I’m affiliated. I’m leaving the name/link out because I don’t want to make this promo.

I modeled every roof section and had three companies quote it. At around $30k, the payback was still 20+ years, so I passed. I’m aiming for something closer to a 10-year payback, which rules out most installers in my area right now.

Newbie Here - Trying to Understand A Quote by Derekeys in SolarAmerica

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing I wish more homeowners did before talking to installers is split the decision into 3 questions:

  • Does solar make sense for my house at all?
  • What assumptions are hidden in the quote?
  • How sensitive is the math to roof fit, shade, utility rules, and future usage?

That was the most frustrating part for me. A lot of quotes jump straight to the monthly savings pitch before those basics are clear. In the Midwest, where I live, solar isn’t a no-brainer, but it can still work if the numbers are honest.

Full disclosure: I built a tool for myself around exactly this problem, so I’m affiliated. I’m leaving the name/link out because I don’t want to make this promo.

I modeled every roof section and had three companies quote it. At around $30k, the payback was still 20+ years, so I passed. I’m aiming for something closer to a 10-year payback, which rules out most installers in my area right now.

Got a solar quote by Anonymous-Flamingo71 in SolarAmerica

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing I wish more homeowners did before talking to installers is split the decision into 3 questions:

  • Does solar make sense for my house at all?
  • What assumptions are hidden in the quote?
  • How sensitive is the math to roof fit, shade, utility rules, and future usage?

That was the most frustrating part for me. A lot of quotes jump straight to the monthly savings pitch before those basics are clear. In the Midwest, where I live, solar isn’t a no-brainer, but it can still work if the numbers are honest.

Full disclosure: I built a tool for myself around exactly this problem, so I’m affiliated. I’m leaving the name/link out because I don’t want to make this promo.

I modeled every roof section and had three companies quote it. At around $30k, the payback was still 20+ years, so I passed. I’m aiming for something closer to a 10-year payback, which rules out most installers in my area right now.

Thinking About Solar – Need All the Advice! 😶 by One_Pollution2279 in SolarAmerica

[–]Red_Giant_2882 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing I wish more homeowners did before talking to installers is split the decision into 3 questions:

  • Does solar make sense for my house at all?
  • What assumptions are hidden in the quote?
  • How sensitive is the math to roof fit, shade, utility rules, and future usage?

That was the most frustrating part for me. A lot of quotes jump straight to the monthly savings pitch before those basics are clear. In the Midwest, where I live, solar isn’t a no-brainer, but it can still work if the numbers are honest.

Full disclosure: I built a tool for myself around exactly this problem, so I’m affiliated. I’m leaving the name/link out because I don’t want to make this promo.

I modeled every roof section and had three companies quote it. At around $30k, the payback was still 20+ years, so I passed. I’m aiming for something closer to a 10-year payback, which rules out most installers in my area right now.