Solar Power in the OC

[dwake]

I'm looking into getting solar power to offset some of my $600/month SCE bill. My 220gal & 100gal reefs are killing me.

Any one have a solar power system installed in the last couple of years and can recommend the company that did it?

Any other thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[arcab4]

i got a flyer in the mail yesterday for http://www.phatenergy.com/

they have this calculator that might help you out.

 

[BlueStag]

Look up a member here on RC named Badbones. He just went solar.

 

[bergzy]

smartest thing i ever did...except, of course, marrying my wife!

i have had this up and running for the past year and a half and it has been a champ at generating electricity.

my system was sized to maximize return on investment. initially, it was calculated that it would be about 8'ish years...now, with the steep rise in electrical rates, it is easily down to 6 years...and the rates will again increase, so my roi is probably going to be 5 years with the next rate increase, which will be soon due to the record prices of gasoline (which reflects natural gas price increases which is a heavy source of fuel for edison).

the only thing i wished i did was install a slightly larger one. but, at the time of 2006 where we had a massive rate increase, i thought edison wouldnt raise rates like that again...sure enough, i was wrong.

my rebate at the time was $2.80 per watt. now, i see that it is down to $2.20 a watt. how much does this affect the total system cost? i just did the calculations...and it would have increased the cost of my present system by 25%.

so, the longer you wait...

 

[reef_doug]

Ben... how much value do you think it added to your property?

 

[TrojanScott]

I'd love to go solar, but the cost up front, ouch. I know, gotta look long term, but the way the market is right now, not sure if I'll even stick around in my house or So. Cal for that matter, forever. Kudos to those who have it though. My bill is way too much as well.

 

[bergzy]

Hmm,

The value added to proprty would be a tough one to answer as my answer would be optimistically biased.

All I know is that the system should last a long time {40 years or so} as there are no moving parts.

I'll ask my real estate friend about that.

 

[bergzy]

Hi scott!

I guess I am.an optimist as I know that the market WILL improve as will the housing situation. If the past is any indicator {and it usually is},recovery and improvement has been the trend.

Great time to buy socal homes right now if you have the cash lying around...though the homes around where I live has not seen a real decrease in prices.

My friends that have moved out of state to lower priced places {like parts of texas} still would have a toughtime to try and move back despite some areas of socal reports of decreasing home values

 

[TrojanScott]

Hey Ben, no believe me, I know about home prices, and I'm gonna have to sit it out. We bought in 04, so we're flat to upside down. I'd love to do solar, but don't have the equity or the free cash to invest. Funny you say Texas, my wife wants to go there, but I sure don't. I'm starting to just question the state of CA as a whole. To "left" for me, (no offense to anyone) and wondering if this is the kinda life I want my son to grow up in. The weather, can't beat it, but the traffic, the overcrowding, etc, I'm kinda getting sick of it. (and I was born and raised here!)

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12923831#post12923831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arcab4
i got a flyer in the mail yesterday for http://www.phatenergy.com/

they have this calculator that might help you out.

Nice website. Per their calculator I would be best served by a 1kw sustem and a final cost of $7000.

 

[bergzy]

Yeah,

Times are tough right now for almost everyone, no doubt about that.

As for living in socal, I have been here for just over ten years now and love every second I am here. Sure home prices are still ridiculously high, sure we have the highest gas and utility prices but having lived in many places in united states...really there isn't a whole lot of places better or even remotely better than here. It may be hard to believe but the social political environment here is very balanced to me. Not too extreme in either way...I know, hard to believe.

Having lived in so many different parts of the country and in a different country...I definitely love living here!

 

[GTR]

The chart on the previous page shows the growth of that high-tier utility power cost over 30 years vs. replacing that power by paying interest-only on a solar system until either a) you next refininance your home or b)pay it off by investing your rebate.

Interest only??????

SteveU