Anyone do this? Thinking that I should take advantage of the tax programs. Thinking about a 20KW setup. Something like that would probably mean a average monthly check of $300. Would go with a ground mount setup. Would never put them on my roof. Anyone with any experience with solar? Or should I say photovoltaic panels... Good, bad or otherwise.
Solar panels. Thinking about adding them to my yard??
- Thread starter slimcake
- Start date
Why would you not put 'em on the roof?
For a decade or more, I was hanging on with my former "lifetime slate roof" (asbestos concrete!) waiting for solar roofing tiles to become a viable alternative to parking a rack of solar tiles atop the aging roof. Then last fall the tail end of a dаmn hurricane (in Arizona???) ripped the old roof to shreds, just a bit too soon to do solar tile roofing on an I-Need-It-NOW basis.
So now, we have these; too late for me to get any meaningful ROI, else I'd be into #2 and possibly #3 — to get the hеll off the grid entirely!
1. (click →) Tesla Solar Panels (for use atop an existing roof).
2. (click →) Tesla Solar Roof Tiles (roofing tiles, for total roof replacement).
3. (click →) Tesla Powerwall (energy storage system).
4. (click →) Tesla Power Everything.
See also (click →) Tesla Solar Roof review from owner after 3 months shows incredible results.
Just put in a ground mount off-grid setup to power a dewatering system on one of our fields. The technology certainly continues to improve and some parts of the cost are decreasing as well. Tax credit is decreasing, but ~25% is still better than a kick in the leg. That includes all of the setup, I'm told. Know some farmers that are putting up pole barns with panels on the roof or attached as well as housing the equipment and being able to include portions of the building cost in the figures. Definitely worth checking into further depending on your situation.
If you are not doing batteries and stuff, the panels themselves are not biggest cost and the racking can be 2x6 and 4x6 lumber.
Also I've heard, but it's internet gossip, that some utilities are not as eager to add grid tied systems any longer, or at least not to pay for the juice. Still, if you are using your own power, it can at least reduce your bill.
Am involved with a 10 panel array that is grid tied with solaredge equipment at another site. No deals with the utility company, but this setup is just a blip on the power for that facility (more of a demonstration setup). Neat to watch the power production on the web as the sunlight and clouds come and go. 10 x 300w panels producing a bit over 20KW/day this week.
If you are not doing batteries and stuff, the panels themselves are not biggest cost and the racking can be 2x6 and 4x6 lumber.
Also I've heard, but it's internet gossip, that some utilities are not as eager to add grid tied systems any longer, or at least not to pay for the juice. Still, if you are using your own power, it can at least reduce your bill.
Am involved with a 10 panel array that is grid tied with solaredge equipment at another site. No deals with the utility company, but this setup is just a blip on the power for that facility (more of a demonstration setup). Neat to watch the power production on the web as the sunlight and clouds come and go. 10 x 300w panels producing a bit over 20KW/day this week.