My wife finally OKed solar panels
 

Hey y'all!
So we figured out that we'd be living in Georgia a little bit longer and my wife gave the thumbs up on solar power. Home Owners Association be damned. I'm thinking about keeping the house on the grid, just because I read that it was cheaper. I'm really looking for input from people with experience going solar in their houses.

Big question is Should I get a home energy audit from Georgia Power first?

If there is no charge for it there is no down side. It always good to have a starting evaluation. Had one done by FPL a long time ago qualified me for a rebate on insulation.

Get an energy audit, even if you have to pay for it, more info is better then no info.

grid tied systems are cheaper short term and long term, the only draw back to them is if the grid goes down you loose power, a $200 battery back up like is used for desk top computers will keep your fridge running or anything else that you plug in to it, spend a little more and you can get one powerful enough to run a forced air furnace (fans take a lot of power!) those UPS systems are much cheaper then a whole house battery bank with off grid inverter because they only power the stuff that you need to be powered, like your fridge.

be careful with your HOA fascists.

Definitely get an energy audit. IMO its WAY more useful than solar panels. Conservation first, then solar.

Also, check out EcoRenovator, EM's sister forum for house modding! :) There is a good amount of info on solar stuff over there, and many people who have built their own setups and are currently working on projects.

He's not going to be able to get solar installed without a building permit and in most places with home owners associations they have to approve the permits as well, so if he can get the permits he should be fine.