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Old 07-16-2017, 09:30 AM   #1 (permalink)
sendler
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Home solar in the North East USA

So I entered a quote in an online service to check into home solar in Cortland, NY 13045, USA. And found out a few things.
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https://www.solar-estimate.org/solar...lators/results
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The government rebates are quite good. The federal rebate is a tax credit that can be drawn over 5 years to it's full amount of 30% of the install. And my state has the same plan at 25%.
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That is the good news..
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They quoted me $30,000 for a 9kW gridtie system with no storage. I can buy the parts for a really nice microinverter or dc/dc converter system for $17,000 shipped. I would probably start with 4-5kW for $7,000.
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https://www.wholesalesolar.com/18909...rgy-310-panels
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https://www.wholesalesolar.com/18903...rgy-260-panels
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One interesting thing I have been wanting to find out: They are calculating the the average solar radiation availability in my area will provide about 13% of the system nameplate capacity for the year. So at least they are being honest about the poor weather here.
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But they based the payback calculations on an assumed $0.29/ kWh cost of electricity over 25 years. I am only paying $0.12 all in at the bottom of my bill right now. And I will still have to check to see what plan my utility company has for net metering. Some areas of the country force them to allow home solar to bank their excess production against future use at 1:1. Other companies pay back only the price of the energy in which case I would only get back $0.038/ kWh right now. And have to pay an extra base service fee every month for net metering.
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So even taking the best of all the scenarios: I would buy the parts on the internet and install it myself with a certified tech for the final connection. $7,500. And 1:1 reimbursement for over production. And rebates that I would eventually get back after 2-3 years of tax credits. I would be in at $3,400 for a 4.5kW system with no storage. With an annual production of 5,125 kWh. $615 production/ year at the current rate if I get 1:1 credit.
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So payback is 5.5 years. And profit is $12,300 over the following 20 years. So return on investment is 5.2% over 25.5 years. Not including my DIY sweat equity and even with the 55% government credits. Of course the cost of electrical service could slide up to double over 25 years making my average output worth $900/ year average over the same time. 6.75% ROI / year.
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It would be 2% without the government incenives.
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But then again, we will find more and more, that pushing forward to a sustainable future will not pay back in the traditional free market sense of dollars earned.
Here is the quote for $30,000 they hit me with.
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