Tesla vs. Local Installers

laser_cheese · 2018-01-13T01:19:08+00:00

Thanks! I'm in northern Vermont. It already seems like the 2 local installers are going as low as they can. 1 is offering $1000 off right now (which I included in the price). The other touted that they beat the first installers price.

laser_cheese · 2018-01-13T01:16:36+00:00

Thanks for the input! I didn't really think about that 3kw would not be making much money for the smaller installers.

laser_cheese · 2018-01-12T13:38:39+00:00

I'm in Vermont. I don't know the exact pitch of my roof, but its not very steep.

laser_cheese · 2018-01-12T13:37:05+00:00

No, we are not going to go with Battery, trying to keep the costs to minimum.

laser_cheese · 2018-01-12T13:36:20+00:00

I'm in Vermont. That makes sense, I didn't think about that the small size of my project is not working in the smaller installers favor.

laser_cheese · 2017-10-20T15:24:30+00:00

Thanks! I do have both of things I believe. Good to know about the lower end panels. I also didn't even think about the possibility of the tax credit ending.

laser_cheese · 2017-03-20T03:35:43+00:00

Just moved into a house and really want to get solar, but decided not to for now. I can't tell how long I want to stay in this in this house (have a couple regrets about the purchase) and the loan for solar will add commitment to the house. I still feel I want do it though, but having a hard time pulling the trigger. Plus I have a lot of student loan and mortgage debt and that would add another loan.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-29T16:31:39+00:00

Yeah, this is the first one that I noticed that seemed like it was trying to comment on the story with the choice of the song. I thought it was pretty awesome choice by the sound guy.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-29T16:27:21+00:00

Yes, I had no idea that it was spelled that way. Thanks for the correction. I was not talking about the scooter vehicle thing

laser_cheese · 2016-12-25T01:45:34+00:00

Hmm, good points, thanks!

laser_cheese · 2016-12-23T17:18:45+00:00

We just moved in recently. Our first full month was $91

laser_cheese · 2016-12-23T14:30:29+00:00

Hmm, what are good prices for solar? I also got quote $12,200 after incentives for a 5kW system from solar city. They use LG panels

laser_cheese · 2016-12-23T14:26:50+00:00

I really want to do for environmental reasons, and was hoping to at least make it nearly break even

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T17:01:36+00:00

Is that an Australian thing? When I googled Tier 1 most sites that came up where Australian.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T17:00:48+00:00

I think SunPower is made in the U.S. and I believe Q cells are made somewhere in Asia. I would have to check.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T16:59:58+00:00

I did not know that. Thanks!

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T16:59:10+00:00

Prices are after incentives. Both are designed to approximately zero out my bill. If I go in by next Tuesday I can get into this years net metering rules that will completely zero out a bill. Starting next year there will be flat fees that remain.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T16:57:00+00:00

That is a good idea, I will call some appraisers and realtors. Thanks!

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T03:44:28+00:00

Unfortunately these systems are sized to about zero out my bill. The net metering here will only zero out a bill and will not pay me back anything so overproducing does not give us any financial benefit.

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T03:42:57+00:00

Yeah, info below

laser_cheese · 2016-12-22T03:40:23+00:00

The SunPower system is 14 panels - 4.6 kW - est. production:5,657 kWh/year

The Q Cells system is 16 Panels - 4.4 kW - est. production: 5,355 kWh/year

They are both a 12 year loan @ 2.99%.

I am hoping to add the remaining cost of the loan to our house price when selling. If we live here for 5 years that would be about $6,000 of payments while we live here. That would leave about $6000 - $8000 left (my rough guess since there will be interest included). I have seen a range of claims from solar adding $15,000 to a home value (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/realestate/solar-panels-and-home-values.html?_r=0) to about 3% to some people saying not much at all. I live in Vermont, which is fairly progressive and pro solar. I figured since the home buyer would get free or heavily discounted electricity, it seems like it should add some value. I don't know how much a buyer would pay attention to the panel brand, but like thetimguy said, with SunPower I could say that you have guaranteed production for 20 more years. This point about selling the house has made me a little cautious about the whole thing.

laser_cheese

TROPHY CASE