Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Pub Talk). This thread is read-only.
This week I have an appt with a Vivint Solar regarding putting Solar panels on my house. The attraction is that they assume all costs for installation. They then offset their cost buy claiming all of the local and federal state credits. They then sell the power back to the local utility company and you then buy the power at a reduced rate resulting in a lower electrical bill for the homeowner. They are then responsible for all maintenance and any issues.
Has anyone gone through this process and had any issues?
That sounds like a lot of hoops for cheaper power IMO, I’d get t the magnifying glass for the fine print
Jimbo
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No doubt. I’ve already started the research on it.
I have no experience with the full house install. But it is an interesting topic.
I have seen these advertised at the prepper shows: http://www.pluggedsolar.com/
99_XC600 wrote:
On August 6, 2016 at 2:55 PM, 99_XC600 said:No doubt. I’ve already started the research on it.
Now that I think about it, there is an episode on this old house that they installed solar panels on their barn workshop
The location of my house, makes it a perfect candidate for solar panels. I looked into it a few times, and the ROI at this time, is just worth it for my situation. I do have small solar setup I made for my Ham Radio, has part of Disaster Recover exercise, it’s packed away has part of my “bug-out” bag.
99_XC600 wrote:
On 8/6/2016 at 9:49 AM, 99_XC600 said:This week I have an appt with a Vivint Solar regarding putting Solar panels on my house. The attraction is that they assume all costs for installation. They then offset their cost buy claiming all of the local and federal state credits. They then sell the power back to the local utility company and you then buy the power at a reduced rate resulting in a lower electrical bill for the homeowner. They are then responsible for all maintenance and any issues.
Has anyone gone through this process and had any issues?
I have heard the cost of the solar panels can be tacked on to your house if you plan to sell it at some point. You have to also watch out as utilities are trying to change the laws regarding selling back the electricity. I guess on your end that’s not a problem and if the company goes bankrupt you get the panels for free anyways.
We met with them last week. Essentially they classify it as a “Power Purchase” where they absorb all installation costs and in turn you agree to purchase power from them at a reduced and somewhat price controlled rate.
It’s a 20 year “Lease” and in the event you decide to move or sell the home. (Which we might in the next 5 years). They need to approve the buyer of the house via a credit and a background check. This same situation also effects being able to pull the equity out of the house or doing a refi.
There’s currently some legislation in MA trying to correct this. So for now, we’re going to wait and see what happens before we commit to anything.
http://whdh.com/news/hank-investigates-leased-solar-panels/
I would wait I think solar is going to get cheap fast in a few years. Elon Musk is talking about solar shingles and cool stuff like that
I’m also extremely interested in this but am waiting for the cost:benefit ratio to fall further in my favor.
Anybody watch toolpig on periscope with the recip saw tool fight last night? They have a bank of large solar panels in their yard, said they love them, seems like it is working in their favor
I don’t know laws on solar panels but would buying your own then finding tutorials about install and maintenance still work. Might be free power if you don’t have to sell to the power company.