Solar Power Will Kill Coal Sooner Than You Think

[TeyshaBlue]

I would likely augment that with a tesla power wall or two.

Haven't pulled the trigger on that, since we have other short term financial goals that come first.

BTW, did you ever determine if there was any impact to homeowner's insurance?

[DMC]

3 new roofs due to hail damage.

Help me out here...

So you're saying solar panels would have been better or worse?

Explain

[DMC]

BTW, did you ever determine if there was any impact to homeowner's insurance?

or property value in the form of tax assessment


What does a 20 year old solar panel system perform/look like? Because if you're saving 250 a month in electricity (which is about average for a 2500sqft home if you average, using gas heat instead of electric) in Texas, it would take you about 14 years to begin to see a return. That's assuming a 40K system with zero dollars for repair over that 14 year period. So you get 7 years of above water use and how is the system now? Does it need to be replaced and if so, will you even be able to get compatible panels and parts in 20 years or will you need a completely new install? Or will you ever need to do anything to it?

[Xevious]

or property value in the form of tax assessment


What does a 20 year old solar panel system perform/look like? Because if you're saving 250 a month in electricity (which is about average for a 2500sqft home if you average, using gas heat instead of electric) in Texas, it would take you about 14 years to begin to see a return. That's assuming a 40K system with zero dollars for repair over that 14 year period. So you get 7 years of above water use and how is the system now? Does it need to be replaced and if so, will you even be able to get compatible panels and parts in 20 years or will you need a completely new install? Or will you ever need to do anything to it?

That's the kicker for me - how long it will take to see a return on investment. And I'd have to do a lot of research to see how much maintenance that requires.

[boutons_deux]

JO destroys coal Execs and coal companies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw6RsUhw1Q8

[Thread]

That's the kicker for me - how long it will take to see a return on investment. And I'd have to do a lot of research to see how much maintenance that requires.

X, just sign the in' papers.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

38 grand at 7% for 8 years? That's ridiculous.

I need to figure out how to get in on that action.

[RandomGuy]

You probably agree it feels like a risk since your neighbors probably aren't doing it, and what happens when that company says "see ya" and fails to replace damaged or faulty components yet you are stuck with a bill that was sold to a collector?

Probably not a real issue, but for the average working family, those are decisions that can produce both excitement and anxiety. Once you get over the feeling of having outsmarted the big electric company system, you are now faced with the prospect of having a solar home. If you ever have to move, you have to leave it. Does the solar payment stay with the home?

The company installs the system, I own it, so responsibility for maintenance is mine. Haven't seen warranty, but for that much money I may spend a bit extra for some insurance in that regard, if it isn't up to snuff.

If I were to sell the house I would price the unit into the value of the house, and use the funds from closing to pay out the note. The new owner would then have the advantage of a long term loan.

[RandomGuy]

BTW, did you ever determine if there was any impact to homeowner's insurance?

Oddly enough, I happen to have a current copy of my policy that I was going to read on my annual review. I am an insurance expert, so that helps immensely.

As an installation, it becomes part of the policy. Oddly enough the language in the policy excludes damage from "electrical" other than lightning strikes, and adding in what amounts to a major electrical upgrade would mean I have some uncovered exposure.

In my area though, adding tens of thousands of dollars of value to the house bumps up against the current coverage limit, especially since the house is appreciating rapidly. Current limit was set upon build out, and will soon need to be increased, IMO.

I view my current coverage would probably need to be modestly upgraded for electrical problems. I will need to increase coverage maximum anyway, so maybe shopping around would be helpful. I am thinking that I may try to get the electrical coverage, even if I don't get the solar.

I would note, it pays to read policy forms VERY carefully, especially homeowners, since the asset involved is so large.

[RandomGuy]

I was being offered 50 grand for 20 years at 3 points.

Seems lowball to me. My system likely doesn't involve a lien, so that may be the reason.

Yours probably comes with a lien for securing it, I would guess, that is the only way you get such low rates, in my experience.

[TeyshaBlue]

There was no lien involved. They just pitched that 3% at me. But there is a couple of caveats in their system which translates to cash
1. You buy power thru their company. If you make more than you use, you get a credit towards future billing...credits that will likely never be realized.
2. They get your tax credit... Which can be pretty chunky.

I also didn't like that they had no flexibility in their plans..no avenue for a cash purchase. No avenue for an early payoff. That alone put me of the deal.

[boutons_deux]

Here’s how Trump could crush cheap solar.

Investors in the bankrupt solar-panel company Suniva have invoked an obscure law that may wind up

letting President Trump unilaterally jack up the price of solar panels.Bloomberg Businessweek has the details.

Basically, this

may let Trump slap a tariff on photovoltaic imports.

There’s a huge problem with this:

Those cheap Chinese imports have been crucial in driving down the cost of solar energy and in spreading solar panels.

A Trump tariff could double the price of imported panels, according to the Bloomberg story, “potentially crippling demand for solar power.”

In other words, Trump may try to save some American solar manufacturers by wreaking havoc with the American solar market.

http://grist.org/briefly/heres-how-t...h-cheap-solar/


35% tariff on Chinese solar panels would kill distributed solar and 100Ks jobs.

Go for it, Donny.

#MASA Make America ty Again.