Residential Solar

[chalupa81]

Had a guy stop at the house today to give his sales pitch for solar on our roof. Had been thinking about it for a number of years so his recommendations made sense. I think I will entertain the idea and get a quote from him. Currently in the Des Moines metro with two nice south facing roofs that could hold a good amount of panels.

Has anyone else done this recently that can give me any tips, things to watch out for, cost comparison?

 

[Cougar63]

Had a guy stop at the house today to give his sales pitch for solar on our roof. Had been thinking about it for a number of years so his recommendations made sense. I think I will entertain the idea and get a quote from him. Currently in the Des Moines metro with two nice south facing roofs that could hold a good amount of panels.

Has anyone else done this recently that can give me any tips, things to watch out for, cost comparison?

Slightly off topic but my fiancee (no pics) and I are buying a house here before the end of the year and have agreed on solar just because our house is going to be 2-3 times bigger than our current apartment.

 

[ichawkeye]

Had a guy stop at the house today to give his sales pitch for solar on our roof. Had been thinking about it for a number of years so his recommendations made sense. I think I will entertain the idea and get a quote from him. Currently in the Des Moines metro with two nice south facing roofs that could hold a good amount of panels.

Has anyone else done this recently that can give me any tips, things to watch out for, cost comparison?

I would use the first contact as your baseline, and seek a couple additional bids. This will allow you to compare and compete costs, warranty, capacity, and technology.

The goal is to install capacity that counters your electrical consumption and bill. You'll want to understand how excess electricity produced serves into your current/future electric bills, as you don't want to pay for a system that generates electricity beyond what benefits you.

Details to ask - cost of system, warranty of system, estimated solar production, estimated monthly electric bill impact, tax credits gained from purchase of the system.

Solar doesn't offer the best ROI, but we have it and we're glad we do. The system is paid for, we have no electric bill (beyond the minimum monthly "connection" fee), and we know the electricity we consume is offset by a renewable source.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

I just had rooftop solar installed, but in California, so little of my experience will be relevant to you. Besides looking at your actual current electric bill, you might want to estimate eventual conversion of any gas appliances to electric for use and savings.

One other thing, I'd strongly look at getting an electric car in the future. Both because you won't have to pay for either gas or oil changes or 50k or 100k mile "services," thus essentially making the car close to having been "free" after 10 or 12 years or so of savings, but also because if you buy a car set up for "2 way charging" (right now only Nissan and I think Hyundai), you will soon be able to use your car battery to power your home appliances once the sun goes down, just like you would if you bought a $10k Tesla Wall home battery.

 

[Hawkman98]

Make sure to contact your city about permits. Many cities have started requiring this and homeowners don't realize it.

 

[The Tradition]

My son used to work for a solar company and he said that there's no way the roofs won't start leaking after a couple of years with the way they install them.

And then when you need a new roof, you have to call them out to take them down and put them up again.

No thanks to all that.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

My son used to work for a solar company and he said that there's no way the roofs won't start leaking after a couple of years with the way they install them.

And then when you need a new roof, you have to call them out to take them down and put them up again.

No thanks to all that.

That's completely ridiculous and untrue about them leaking. It is smart, however, to get them installed when you get a new roof, or shortly after.

 

[CarolinaHawkeye]

Sounds like a thread for @SolarHawk.

 

[theiacowtipper]

Had a guy stop at the house today to give his sales pitch for solar on our roof. Had been thinking about it for a number of years so his recommendations made sense. I think I will entertain the idea and get a quote from him. Currently in the Des Moines metro with two nice south facing roofs that could hold a good amount of panels.

Has anyone else done this recently that can give me any tips, things to watch out for, cost comparison?

Our local guy put on a presentation for our professional development day about solar. He said the key to financial payback is the rate your electric utility pays for your excess generation. I’m probably going to mess this up, but I believe it was Alliant that pays you the rate it charges it’s customers. Other companies pay the rate they pay electric producers

I would go with an established local company, even if you end up,paying a little more.

 

[Gimmered]

My son used to work for a solar company and he said that there's no way the roofs won't start leaking after a couple of years with the way they install them.

And then when you need a new roof, you have to call them out to take them down and put them up again.

No thanks to all that.

I have room for a ground mount, that would be ideal for me. There is absolutely no pay back for me. I would have to do it on principle. My monthly bill jus fell to $112 a month budget. A bit of that is a line service charge that I would need to pay every month anyway.

 

[chalupa81]

Our local guy put on a presentation for our professional development day about solar. He said the key to financial payback is the rate your electric utility pays for your excess generation. I’m probably going to mess this up, but I believe it was Alliant that pays you the rate it charges it’s customers. Other companies pay the rate they pay electric producers

I would go with an established local company, even if you end up,paying a little more.

Good point. I have MidAmerican and I believe I get a an energy credit that I could use in future months to offset if I produce less than I use. So I am guessing I don’t want to have a huge excess as then I would just be giving it back to them for free.

 

[SolarHawk]

My son used to work for a solar company and he said that there's no way the roofs won't start leaking after a couple of years with the way they install them.

And then when you need a new roof, you have to call them out to take them down and put them up again.

No thanks to all that.

Lol, yet another dumbass take by trad.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I bought solar panels last fall. We have Alliant as our electric company and they are pretty expensive per kWh. We are paying $30-70 less a month including paying back our loan on the panels. Or loan's interest rate is 0.49% as well. Once we pay off the panels, we will have to pay no more than $12 a month just to stay on the grid.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

I have a home with a center roof line that runs north-south. Is it practical for the panels to be installed on the east and west side of a home's roof?

 

[Gimmered]

I have a home with a center roof line that runs north-south. Is it practical for the panels to be installed on the east and west side of a home's roof?

That's where I'm at too. I know you lose a percentage, I would go to a ground base install on my North property line if I went solar. That would eliminate a lot of the concerns anyway.

 

[SolarHawk]

I have a home with a center roof line that runs north-south. Is it practical for the panels to be installed on the east and west side of a home's roof?

East and west is perfectly fine. North facing roofs you want to avoid.

 

[SolarHawk]

That's where I'm at too. I know you lose a percentage, I would go to a ground base install on my North property line if I went solar. That would eliminate a lot of the concerns anyway.

Ground mount is gonna cost a huge premium. If you have roof space to utilize that’s the best option.

 

[CLUB215]

Had a guy stop at the house today to give his sales pitch for solar on our roof. Had been thinking about it for a number of years so his recommendations made sense. I think I will entertain the idea and get a quote from him. Currently in the Des Moines metro with two nice south facing roofs that could hold a good amount of panels.

Has anyone else done this recently that can give me any tips, things to watch out for, cost comparison?

How old is your house?

 

[CLUB215]

East and west is perfectly fine. North facing roofs you want to avoid.

I disagree, south only

 

[SolarHawk]

I disagree, south only

Well you’re an idiot. We put panels on east and west roofs all the time and they produce very well.

 

[CLUB215]

Well you’re an idiot. We put panels on east and west roofs all the time and they produce very well.

Certainly not as efficient as south facing, yes?

 

[SolarHawk]

Certainly not as efficient as south facing, yes?

No, but it’s not always feasible to put panels on south facing roofs. Dude, I own a solar company. You’re not going to win this argument.

 

[CLUB215]

No, but it’s not always feasible to put panels on south facing roofs. Dude, I own a solar company. You’re not going to win this argument.

I guess it's whatever you're comfortable with for payback.

 

[SolarHawk]

I guess it's whatever you're comfortable with for payback.

yes, and the payback works for everyone we sell a system to. No matter what they’re saving money vs what they would pay to the utility.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

I've seen a lot of roofs screwed up by the Solar guys.....and talk about an expensive and colossal pain in the ass when it's time to get the roof replaced. Trad's not as much of an idiot as suggested. Be sure to check with your insurance to see what you're new rate will be. Also, check prices. Most of the direct sales joints will rob you.

 

[SolarHawk]

I've seen a lot of roofs screwed up by the Solar guys.....and talk about an expensive and colossal pain in the ass when it's time to get the roof replaced. Trad's not as much of an idiot as suggested. Be sure to check with your insurance to see what you're new rate will be. Also, check prices. Most of the direct sales joints will rob you.

Trad is an idiot for suggesting every roof will leak. I’ve installed over 500 roof top solar systems and we’ve never caused a leak. you are right about doing your homework and choosing a reputable business though.

 

[chalupa81]

Trad is an idiot for suggesting every roof will leak. I’ve installed over 500 roof top solar systems and we’ve never caused a leak. you are right about doing your homework and choosing a reputable business though.

Where do you work out of?

 

[chalupa81]

How old is your house?

17 years.

 

[SolarHawk]

Where do you work out of?

St Pete

 

[BrunoMars420]

I have a great south facing roof, what would be an estimate (years) for a 4400 sq ft home to break even?

 

[l.todd]

I have 2 smaller south facing roof lines, but they are not connected. Is it feasible to install on 2 separate areas, or should I stick with one, and then put some on a west facing roof, that is larger? Appreciate your knowledge and input Solar!

 

[chalupa81]

I have a great south facing roof, what would be an estimate (years) for a 4400 sq ft home to break even?

You would probably need to know you average annual kWh usage to start. At least that is what the sales guy asked for to know how many panels you would need.

 

[Urohawk]

No, but it’s not always feasible to put panels on south facing roofs. Dude, I own a solar company. You’re not going to win this argument.

It's HROT. Don't let your expertise get in the way of someone's buffonery. It's the way of the world today: anti-science and anti-expertise. Your response didn't take into account what they read on social media or their feelings about it.

 

[BrunoMars420]

You would probably need to know you average annual kWh usage to start. At least that is what the sales guy asked for to know how many panels you would need.

Just looked and I used 19,798 kWh in 2021

 

[Urohawk]

I think this website is pretty good. Gives you an idea of how much sun your roof gets with solar.

Project Sunroof

Enter a state, county, city, or zip code to see a solar estimate for the area, based on the amount of usable sunlight and roof space.

sunroof.withgoogle.com

Look at what tax incentives you get by state as some states are good and some are bad for solar. Also have to look at how your local power company treats your excess energy. I know last time I looked in KS they have one of the lowest $/kWh because the energy companies were protected by republican state legislators. They have solar credits which if you don't need any energy, they electric company basically uses what you generate for free.

If your house is a bad solar house then some energy companies allow you to subscribe. For example, I'm basically subsidizing building a solar grid at another location. I pay a little extra but lock in my rates for 20 years. All my house will be 100% offset by solar when the solar panels are constructed in a year.

I will have switched from a coal powered Tesla to a solar powered one.

 

[SolarHawk]

I have 2 smaller south facing roof lines, but they are not connected. Is it feasible to install on 2 separate areas, or should I stick with one, and then put some on a west facing roof, that is larger? Appreciate your knowledge and input Solar!

Yes they can be tied together

 

[BrunoMars420]

What is the upkeep for solar panels?

As you can see I have been kicking the idea around for a couple of years lol. Appreciate all the info HORT!

 

[Hawked]

What’s it called? Small dick big panels inc.?

I think he said it's called Why Hasn't This Reject Been Banned Again Yet Industries.

 

[GroupThink]

I think he said it's called Why Hasn't This Reject Been Banned Again Yet Industries.

I like kakaw. Why do you want to ban him? Or do you mean the Brian reincarnation in the other thread?

 

[CLUB215]

It's HROT. Don't let your expertise get in the way of someone's buffonery. It's the way of the world today: anti-science and anti-expertise. Your response didn't take into account what they read on social media or their feelings about it.

Used to work with solar a decade ago, thanks