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Thread: Solar power fees

  1. #1
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    Solar power fees

    Power company charges Per KW for having Solar, They're going to get you one way or another it seems no matter what it is.
    Because of the fee, 65-year-old Thorne says it'll take almost two decades to pay back her panels.

    https://www.npr.org/2019/06/02/72876...-unfair-charge
    This is your mind on drugs!

  2. #2
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    Been here for years.
    Fred

    "Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've
    stayed alive."

    'Take care of yourself, and each other.'

  3. #3
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    Grid maintenance is expensive and people on it must pay for being on it. How that is divied up is an issue, and I can see problems with charging according to solar generation capacity of the customer.
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution


  4. #4
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    The cost of maintenance is only going to go up I assume? The panels are warrantied for 25 years which is also the point at which the panels start to degrade, however it is a slow process. The builders have had to start taking out 50-year leases instead of forty-year leases. They are actually expecting to get fifty years out of the solar panels. The problem is that the second 25 years of potential profit is when the trees that we planted to pretty up our yard and won't be able to cut are grown up in front of the panels. Just doesn't sound like a sound business to invest in unless your the power company anyway.
    This is your mind on drugs!

  5. #5
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    The link to Az is interesting, and verifies what I have been saying - the "cost of plant" is being defined differently. I suppose it's fair to only credit the homeowner the wholesale cost of power, but find it suspicious that the utilities argued that their cost of power isnt really what the Corp Commish approved because it had special costs when the rates were initially approved.

    I also find it amazing that knotheads are just now coming around to the fact that they are subsidizing solar so now home generators have to pay a higher meter fee. Now they seem to be encouraging homeowners to have storage systems, which if batteries is a TERRIBLE idea and will lead to injuries and pollution. And business opportunities for what i suppose will be battery technicians.

    Seems like the Central Scrutinizer missed a few details.

    I like my solar power. I have never got a bill in 7 years. And it didnt cost anyone a dime but me. I had one warranty issue and was fortunate that i bought from a company that is still in business (outback - highly recommended). As mentioned by mark above (i think i remember that right) warranty is an issue because many of these companies are now gone.

    How fortunate we are to be able to discuss this as reality instead of the alchemy it was when i was a Ute.
    "Back after 5 years. I thought you had died.

    don"


    Splitting my time between the montane and the mesas

    The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by CactusCurt View Post
    Seems like the Central Scrutinizer missed a few details.


    I ran the numbers on my house a few years ago and it did not work out. It would take me almost 20 years of realized savings to recoup the cost of the system. At that point the system would be reaching end of life. Plus I would need panels on both sides of my roof and they are butt ugly.

    If it was a good investment more home in sunny AZ would have them but very few do.
    I see investigative reporter stories on the local new all the time about people trying to get them removed and the cost refunded ( usually a lease deal which is real sucky).

    I do feel that all new builds should have solar as a part of the construction cost. Solar roofing needs to be investigated more as well.

  7. #7
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    I’ve been in my houses an average of 5 years, not twenty. I’ll wager residential solar is about like a pool for recouping installation costs when selling, which is to say pathetic @ about 20% on the dollar. So, if you are considering recouping costs of solar, you better plan on not moving for 20 years or taking one in the patoote. Renting your roof out has to be even worse for reselling your house.

    Under most scenarios, residential solar remains a vanity project except as a necessity in remote areas; commercial solar is worse.
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution


  8. #8
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    I use a plan from the Power co where I can get the solar power from them for X @ month.
    Never ran the numbers to see if they or I are making out on the deal. Seems to keep my energy cost to around a $200-250 @ month of that about $120 goes to the solar plant usage. In return most of the energy I use during the summer is generated from their solar plant. Figure it was cheaper than adding units to the home.
    Fred

    "Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've
    stayed alive."

    'Take care of yourself, and each other.'

  9. #9
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    we ran the numbers for solar based on our yearly power bill. After we had insulated the attic to R40 and changed all the lights to LED our bill was such that if we added solar panels we would end up paying 25% more per month over the course of a year. In winter our bill is usually $80/month and in summer $180-220. it made no economic sense looking at it from both a purchase or lease type deal
    "The only thing that we learn from torture is the depths of our own moral depravity"

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phillbo View Post
    I ran the numbers on my house a few years ago and it did not work out. It would take me almost 20 years of realized savings to recoup the cost of the system. At that point the system would be reaching end of life. Plus I would need panels on both sides of my roof and they are butt ugly.

    If it was a good investment more home in sunny AZ would have them but very few do.
    I see investigative reporter stories on the local new all the time about people trying to get them removed and the cost refunded ( usually a lease deal which is real sucky).

    I do feel that all new builds should have solar as a part of the construction cost. Solar roofing needs to be investigated more as well.
    My daughter's brother builds these plants all over the US, right now he's leaving N.C. and I can't remember were he said he was going but 25 years is not end of life it is end of warranty. They start to degrade at 25 years but will actually go fifty with the newer tec that is steady coming out. That is why the big companys like my son's (Daugters brother) are doing 50 year leases instead of 40 year leases.
    This is your mind on drugs!

  11. #11
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    ^^^
    What is the consequence on price of the house in five years when you want to sell it and you tell prospective buyers their roof is rented out for the next 45 years? Does the house value go up, down or sideways? Would you buy a house with such an encumbrance on the roof?
    ...............
    “You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution


  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by wacojoe View Post
    ^^^
    What is the consequence on price of the house in five years when you want to sell it and you tell prospective buyers their roof is rented out for the next 45 years? Does the house value go up, down or sideways? Would you buy a house with such an encumbrance on the roof?
    I don't really know but I assume it will be like you said with recouping the cost of a pool. Maybe maybe not, if your looking for a pool? If current owner could show huge savings on electric? I don't see that happening though.
    This is your mind on drugs!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by wacojoe View Post
    ^^^
    What is the consequence on price of the house in five years when you want to sell it and you tell prospective buyers their roof is rented out for the next 45 years? Does the house value go up, down or sideways? Would you buy a house with such an encumbrance on the roof?
    I hadn't thought about it but it isn't exactly like an air conditioning unit. I bet those real estate contracts have a couple of juicy new paragraphs.

    I'll ask my BIL what he had to sign up for. He was somehow partially subsidized by the utility (APS).
    "Back after 5 years. I thought you had died.

    don"


    Splitting my time between the montane and the mesas

    The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep.

  14. #14
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    Around here a pool is a value add install. Hard to sell a house without one. I would never buy another house with one. I only use mine on occasions when we have a party.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phillbo View Post
    I only use mine on occasions when we have a party.
    That reminds me...We still need to set a budget meeting to plan your inauguration party in 2021......Ben

    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...

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