butterfish55 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 16 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said: Not to mention having those eyesores on your roof I have (own, don't rent) 18 panels on the back roof of my house...can't see them from the street. 2500 sq feet, 2 zones of central AC, in ground pool with electric heat pump. Bill for July was $140. That's the highest it's been since I installed them. I have about 4-5 months a year when my bill is zero, usually April, May, September, October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 23 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said: Not to mention having those eyesores on your roof I wonder if you could generate some wind power with the drafts through your windows during the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 3 hours ago, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said: $160 here, 2500sq ft. You humping your AC too hard there. Well worth it. We have to leave it on for our dog during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Seems to be some kind of correlation between loving HHH and heavy AC usage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewbeer Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I have 27 panels on the back roof of my house. From the street, you can't tell they are there. Installed May 2015. My last electric bill was ...... May 2015. Currently have a $550 credit with the electric company, and run my two window AC units as much as I want, keeps house in the low 70s for the most part. Before the panels, I was paying on average $100/month for electricity. Now, in addition to no electric bill, I get paid $2,000 per year for generating renewable energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianW Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I own my panels and they are on the back roof of my house. Total cost to install them was 8k. I got 5k from the feds and 3k from CT. Already saved roughly 2k in no power bill since I installed them over a year ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Couple pop up showers in the area. Just had a 10 minute burst of rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon Tip Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 21 minutes ago, dendrite said: Seems to be some kind of correlation between loving HHH and heavy AC usage... President Nixon used to blast his A.C. in the Oval Office while the fire place was stoked and raging ... I wonder if it's a GOP thing - hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapturedNature Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 21 minutes ago, BrianW said: Nobody else on here has solar panels? Especially with all the generous state incentives in New England. My Eversource bill is $9.21 every month. My central air has been set to 68 nonstop all summer. I could get them but I prefer to do it on my own dime, not someone else's. I also wouldn't want them on my roof and I'd want a battery system so I could use them during a power outage. So it's a project that's on my bucket list but just not at the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewbeer Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, MetHerb said: I could get them but I prefer to do it on my own dime, not someone else's. I also wouldn't want them on my roof and I'd want a battery system so I could use them during a power outage. So it's a project that's on my bucket list but just not at the top. I looked at this option when I bought my system. Unless you have VERY VERY VERY frequent outages, the cost of the battery system will never pay back. It would be less expensive to purchase a good quality generator that can be run off propane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewbeer Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I don't understand why a few people think solar panels are "ugly". They certainly aren't any more or less ugly than asphalt shingles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamarack Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, BrianW said: Nobody else on here has solar panels? Especially with all the generous state incentives in New England. My Eversource bill is $9.21 every month. My central air has been set to 68 nonstop all summer. House amid tall trees, crummy orientation, 90"/yr avg snowfall with good retention even on the roof, modest electric bills - incentives here are rather small. President Nixon used to blast his A.C. in the Oval Office while the fire place was stoked and raging ... I wonder if it's a GOP thing - hahaha PR forum? Anyway, my 2 first-ever votes for POTUS went to that crumb-bum. And though I'm still registered in the GOP, we don't have a fireplace, nor have we put current thru our AC since 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, Baroclinic Zone said: 90F it is. 91-92F Storms may cap us now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Brewbeer said: I have 27 panels on the back roof of my house. From the street, you can't tell they are there. Installed May 2015. My last electric bill was ...... May 2015. Currently have a $550 credit with the electric company, and run my two window AC units as much as I want, keeps house in the low 70s for the most part. Before the panels, I was paying on average $100/month for electricity. Now, in addition to no electric bill, I get paid $2,000 per year for generating renewable energy. How much was installation, pay back years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNNAWAYICEBERG Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, weathafella said: Well worth it. We have to leave it on for our dog during the day. We have two dogs, AC on all day all night. They robbing you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNNAWAYICEBERG Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Those that have a good experience with solar, what company? The majority are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Just now, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said: Those that have a good experience with solar, what company? The majority are interested. Listen to @butterfish55. He's an electrician. Buy the panels. Don't lease them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapturedNature Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Brewbeer said: I don't understand why a few people think solar panels are "ugly". They certainly aren't any more or less ugly than asphalt shingles. I don't think they are ugly but I wouldn't put them on my roof. I don't like the idea of adding risk to any one needing to access my roof for service. They add risks to firefighters and thus impact firefighting capabilities and would need to removed and replaced when my shingles need replacement. 1 hour ago, Brewbeer said: I looked at this option when I bought my system. Unless you have VERY VERY VERY frequent outages, the cost of the battery system will never pay back. It would be less expensive to purchase a good quality generator that can be run off propane. Yeah, that's one of the reasons why it's not high on my priority list. I do see outages a few times a year and it would be nice to have but the generator does the trick for me now. 1 hour ago, tamarack said: House amid tall trees, crummy orientation, 90"/yr avg snowfall with good retention even on the roof, modest electric bills - incentives here are rather small. My roof does have good exposure but late in the afternoon I get some shading the trees on a hill to my west and I'd have to cut those down for maximum exposure. That would increase the amount of light and heat hitting my house in the summer and actually increase my electric needs for AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 https://www.tesla.com/powerwall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterfish55 Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 https://www.tesla.com/powerwall I've looked into these for my system. It's a great product with a couple problems. VERY expensive. About $6000 each and most residential systems need more than 1. Also, there aren't many available and the lead time to get them is very long. Lastly, there are only a couple contractors in MA that can even buy/install them. Like, as a homeowner (and someone with the knowledge to install it on to my system), I couldn't just call Tesla and order one....they'll only sell them to trained contractors. Great product, but......not ready yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said: We have two dogs, AC on all day all night. They robbing you. Feels that way. But my bill is high all year-$150/mo during winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Some great storms skirting. Decent severe day in the Boston area especially just south of the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Since Photobucket sh it the bed I went in and retrieved all my uploaded pics, found this Gem @CoastalWx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewbeer Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, Ginx snewx said: How much was installation, pay back years? System was 35K. I also spent 15K on roof work, which included stripping the three layers there were on there, replacement of 35 sheets of rotted plywood, upgrading the attic venting, and new shingles. I knew the roof was a problem when I bought the house 10 years before. Pay back/break even was estimated to be 7 years by the installer. So far, 3 years 3 months later, this estimate appears to be mostly accurate: $11,500 tax credits $14,000 renewable energy credits (2K/yr x 7 years) $ 8,400 in avoided electric bills (1,200/yr x 7 years) I agree with a comment above, that it is much better to own the system, than it is to lease the system. Yes, it is costly up-front, but if you are planning to stay for the entire pay-back period and then some, it will be worth it. I've also heard horror stories that people with leased systems can have a hard time selling their houses, because the deed is encumbered by the solar lease, and some people don't want the lease, which is a better deal for the leasing company than it is for the home owner. 1 hour ago, MetHerb said: I don't think they are ugly but I wouldn't put them on my roof. I don't like the idea of adding risk to any one needing to access my roof for service. They add risks to firefighters and thus impact firefighting capabilities and would need to removed and replaced when my shingles need replacement. I'm the one accessing my roof, but it is only to clean the gutters. Hasn't been an issue for me yet. The system includes an external shut-off switch (required by code I believe) so the system can be rendered inactive from the outside of the house in case the FD needs to get on the roof to destroy it. I'm not worrying about shingle replacement, as the roof was re-constructed and re-roofed at the same time the panels went up. I'll be 80 when the shingles need to be replaced, if I'm still around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I hear newer technologies will include embedded panels with a new roof. That’s what I’m waiting for. Agree about renting-someone told me about having to have the solar company take a lien-no thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 20 minutes ago, Brewbeer said: System was 35K. I also spent 15K on roof work, which included stripping the three layers there were on there, replacement of 35 sheets of rotted plywood, upgrading the attic venting, and new shingles. I knew the roof was a problem when I bought the house 10 years before. Pay back/break even was estimated to be 7 years by the installer. So far, 3 years 3 months later, this estimate appears to be mostly accurate: $11,500 tax credits $14,000 renewable energy credits (2K/yr x 7 years) $ 8,400 in avoided electric bills (1,200/yr x 7 years) I agree with a comment above, that it is much better to own the system, than it is to lease the system. Yes, it is costly up-front, but if you are planning to stay for the entire pay-back period and then some, it will be worth it. I've also heard horror stories that people with leased systems can have a hard time selling their houses, because the deed is encumbered by the solar lease, and some people don't want the lease, which is a better deal for the leasing company than it is for the home owner. I'm the one accessing my roof, but it is only to clean the gutters. Hasn't been an issue for me yet. The system includes an external shut-off switch (required by code I believe) so the system can be rendered inactive from the outside of the house in case the FD needs to get on the roof to destroy it. I'm not worrying about shingle replacement, as the roof was re-constructed and re-roofed at the same time the panels went up. I'll be 80 when the shingles need to be replaced, if I'm still around. Thanks good for you, you did it right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 23 minutes ago, weathafella said: I hear newer technologies will include embedded panels with a new roof. That’s what I’m waiting for. Agree about renting-someone told me about having to have the solar company take a lien-no thanks! Solar Shingles are out there already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 56 minutes ago, Ginx snewx said: Since Photobucket sh it the bed I went in and retrieved all my uploaded pics, found this Gem @CoastalWx Lol. What a wet rat I was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w1pf Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 half inch in the past 15 minutes here, still pouring.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 56 minutes ago, Baroclinic Zone said: Solar Shingles are out there already. Next roof that’s what I’ll get. More and more neighbors have panels these days but most don’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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