Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 38 of 38

Thread: Solar Power?

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Springhill, SC
    Posts
    788

    Default

    First thing you need to do is get rid of that flexible ductwork.

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Pawleys Island
    Posts
    35,934

    Default

    We pay an average of $275.00/mo to heat/cool our house (3780sf). 9'0" Ceilings, LoE glass on all windows, R-38 in the attic, R-19 in the walls and R-30 in the crawlspace. Temp is kept at 74 average, solar vent fans in the attic though one attic space needs to be replaced. Exterior lights on timers, deck lights were replaced with LED's, drive will be soon. We just switched to budget billing but peak months in the summer the first year were about $350.00.

    We just finished the apartment over the detached garage for my wife's office which I'm sure isn't going to help the bill any.

    If anything I'd say the 10 seer heat pumps have as much to do with high bills than anything.

    Some good friends of ours did solar on their house. They've had issues with theirs for the last few years and wouldn't do it again.
    Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.


    You might take out a dozen before they drag you from your home and skull fuck you to death. Marsh Chicken 6/21/2013

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    'Down in the Holler', SC
    Posts
    14,556

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by reeltight View Post
    To have power when the grid is down, you must have a batter bank. And those are steep. You are much better off buying a gas powered generator as back up power than you are relying on solar and a battery bank.
    Here's some info on a new Tesla battery I just tripped across. It's apparently being introduced via Solar City solar company in CA.

    Thought someone here might be interested in the future...

    http://ecowatch.com/2015/05/05/elon-...zergnet_518175

    "The San Mateo, California-based solar supplier is the first in line to incorporate Tesla’s new batteries, offering a “turnkey residential solar battery backup system” at a price point that’s more than 60 percent less than previous solar power storage products, SolarCity announced.

    SolarCity has already started taking orders for Tesla’s residential batteries and will begin installations in October. According to Bloomberg, customers can prepay $5,000 for a nine-year lease on a 10 kilowatt-hour system. Customers can also buy the entire system for $7,140. The prices reportedly include installation, a maintenance agreement, the electrical inverter and control systems."
    .
    Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue
    .
    "Keep your powder dry, Boys!"
    ~ George Washington

    "If I understood everything I said I'd be a genius." ~ 'Unknown'

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    Any updates? Hogan how did that deal work out for you?

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    So my sister recently had a system installed on their house and they very pleased with it. I had the same company come out and do a site survey and followed up with an estimate.

    Claim to produce 93% of my power needs. 6 years ROI.

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Summerville
    Posts
    14,557

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steelin' Ducks View Post
    So my sister recently had a system installed on their house and they very pleased with it. I had the same company come out and do a site survey and followed up with an estimate.

    Claim to produce 93% of my power needs. 6 years ROI.
    Sounds simple enough but there is more red tape to it than that...at least where I looked.

    I would not put solar panels on my roof unless I had a new roof...or if part of their deal is that they will take down and replace your panels for free when it's time for you to get a new roof. And remember, those panels only have a 20 year life span. I can think of other things to do with my $50k

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    These LG panels claim a 30 plus year life span

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Summerville
    Posts
    14,557

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steelin' Ducks View Post
    These LG panels claim a 30 plus year life span
    Is that there warranty? What does there warranty cover? Obviously it covers the panel but does it cover the labor to replace if one goes out?

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    St. Pete Beach & Charleston
    Posts
    5,784

    Default

    My deer camp is off-grid. The closest electric pole is a little over three miles away and the power company wanted $30k to run the line to my property so I have a solar set up.

    Cost ~$7k installed. Two 250 watt panels, charge controller, four 400Ah batteries, feeding a 3.5kW inverter. The inverter was 1/2 of the total price. It does enough to run everything I need so far. LED lights, ceiling fans, tv, college fridge, 220 well pump, AC, etc.

    Night time is is a balancing act though. Amps are your enemy. I cut the well off during the night to keep it from cycling. Think about what lights I have on, etc.

    We use propane for the stove, water heater, and heaters. I also have a 10kW propane generator that I can plug in if needed.

    During the day the solar can keep up with the AC (room window units) I've not tested the solar capacity with the AC running all night yet. Plan on doing that this weekend. When in doubt, I'll just cut on the generator.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    The Steve
    Posts
    9,116

    Default

    That's not how any of this works....
    Quote Originally Posted by Tater View Post
    Your heart ain't like your balls, ya only got one...
    All you need is a body built for discipline and a mind that can justify so much apparent self-abuse.

  11. #31
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    FROG LEVEL
    Posts
    23,785

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steelin' Ducks View Post
    These LG panels claim a 30 plus year life span
    Unless you got a Metal Roof, I don't think the shingles will last much more than 30/yrs
    Gettin old is for pussies! AND MY NEW TRUE people say like Capt. Tom >>>>>>>>>/
    "Wow, often imitated but never duplicated. No one can do it like the master. My hat is off to you DRDUCK!"

  12. #32
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Middle of the state
    Posts
    1,436

    Default

    Not many things exposed to the sun and weather last 30 years.

  13. #33
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    1986 Fords do....,

  14. #34
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Georgetown SC
    Posts
    571

    Default

    Wonder what bad storm with some hail would do to solar panels?

  15. #35
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    685

    Default

    I got a quote last night from Vinint, they are going door to door in the Forest Acres area looking for south facing roofs with a clear view. Said they've already done 100 houses around Columbia since November, and expect to do 1000 more homes in 2016,

    Basically it's $40K worth of panels with a 20yr lease....$127/mo for the first year and has the potential to go up 2.9% each year after that.

    They showed me the panel layout on my roof, by their calculations I'll cover 80-90% of my electric bill through SCE&G.

    I ran the numbers this morning....it's a 17-20% ($375-$450) savings per year for my home once you factor in the payment to Vinint.
    Last edited by welltaut; 03-10-2016 at 08:54 AM.

  16. #36
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Summerville
    Posts
    14,557

    Default

    I wouldn't lease crap to have (for more or less) permanently affixed to my roof. Especially not for 17% savings. I'd buy the panels my self for 100% savings.

    What happens when you need to replace roof? Does company come out and take them down and reinstall for free?

    There are a lot of Federal kickbacks right now and that's why you see a lot of these solar companies coming out of the wood works. They are just chasing the dollar.

  17. #37
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    The Steve
    Posts
    9,116

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by welltaut View Post
    I got a quote last night from Vinint, they are going door to door in the Forest Acres area looking for south facing roofs with a clear view. Said they've already done 100 houses around Columbia since November, and expect to do 1000 more homes in 2016,

    Basically it's $40K worth of panels with a 20yr lease....$127/mo for the first year and has the potential to go up 2.9% each year after that.

    They showed me the panel layout on my roof, by their calculations I'll cover 80-90% of my electric bill through SCE&G.

    I ran the numbers this morning....it's a 17-20% ($375-$450) savings per year for my home once you factor in the payment to Vinint.
    Think about when you use the most power - is it at night when you're home, or during the day when the sun is shining? Then check to see how excess power that you produce will be credited back to you. I believe that SCE&G does net metering, which actually makes it better for the customer with solar while shifting some of the burden to the rest of their customers. Don't just trust someone trying to sell you solar panel's calculations. It works out for very few people.
    Quote Originally Posted by Tater View Post
    Your heart ain't like your balls, ya only got one...
    All you need is a body built for discipline and a mind that can justify so much apparent self-abuse.

  18. #38
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Manning, SC
    Posts
    10,712

    Default

    I looked into a company that my MIL suggested. Apparently Glenn Beck told her they were trust worthy and a great company.

    They would install the panels for you for free or at least at a low cost. But you had to do a 20 year contract or so with them. They were selling your unused power back to the power company and then charging you for any additional power you used.

    But after reading a lot of reviews, the problem is that when you are making excess energy during the day, they are selling that and you are buying from them at night when you are home.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •