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Appreciate the comments RD.
Regarding investments though, after an initial IPO, I don't see how investing in green stock supports the green cause. It represents a bet that those companies will succeed, but those companies don't get your money. Perhaps that's a bit of an oversimplification since those companies can hold some of their own stock, and by making a purchase, you increase the value of all stocks held.
Here's a comment I left on an EV forum today regarding an Email I received from Tesla Solar:
"Solar panels capture the solar energy generated by the sun to power your home — at one of the lowest costs per watt of any national provider.
With a sleek aesthetic and low-profile design, each panel stays close to your roof and close to each other — while simple installation minimizes impact.
Add Powerwall to your order and receive an incentive to reduce your installation costs. Powerwall stores your excess solar for 24/7 clean energy to help secure against power outages.
Start your order with a $100 deposit — and use a friend’s referral link to earn a $250 award after system activation. All installations are eligible for a federal tax credit up to 26 percent of the cost of the system."
I received this email today, which was unexpected. I thought Solar City was Tesla's child company. Did they drop that name and absorb the Solar business under the Tesla umbrella?
Here's what was offered for Oregon/Washington:
Small - $7030 after $2470 federal subsidy
3.8 kW1,000 - 2,000 sq ft home
Produces an average of 8-12 kWh per day
Best suited for a home with an average electric bill of $20-$30 /mo
Medium - $12,580 after $2470 federal subsidy
7.6 kW2,000 - 3,000 sq ft home
Produces an average of 17-24 kWh per day
Best suited for a home with an average electric bill of $50-$70 /mo
Large - $18,500 after $2470 federal subsidy
11.4 kW3,000 - 4,000 sq ft home
Produces an average of 25-35 kWh per day
Best suited for a home with an average electric bill of $70-$100 /mo
X-Large - $23,680 after $2470 federal subsidy
15.2 kW4,000+ sq ft home
Produces an average of 34-47 kWh per day
Best suited for a home with an average electric bill of $100-$130 /mo
Add a 13.5 kWh Powerwall for $7,770
... I probably average 13 kWh per day, and according to Tesla the small size would mostly cover that. It would be nice to go off-grid, but there's simply too many overcast days in a row to rely on battery power to get through those days. Quick math says the payback period would be about 15 years, which seems extreme.
If I ever did solar, I'd probably homebuild it to save money and for the experience.
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