That's a big enough issue that there are a few companies around here who advertise solar panel cleaning service. I have no idea how big that market is though.
Anyone have solar?
- Thread starter Zorba
- Start date
That's a big enough issue that there are a few companies around here who advertise solar panel cleaning service. I have no idea how big that market is though.
I did not do the install myself. One of my clients who I’ve known for 30+ years has a solar company. He is meticulous in everything he does, including overseeing my design and installation.
Total gross cost was $48k. After FTC and SREC’s, net cost was $18k. I have 31 panels that are Panasonic brand.
I agree $400 is high. I am serviced by the smallest private utility company in the state of Illinois. They have a true monopoly here. They are so small, there is no electric wholsealer willing to file the paperwork to sell in this market. I checked and tried to buy from a 3rd party. They would cold call, I’d say sure, hook me up, they’d ask if we were hooked up to Ameren Illinois. Nope, Mt. Carmel Public Utility. I’d never hear from them again.
I don’t owe anything on my system. No debt obligation to a 3rd party.
That's important. The majority of people I talk to, I'd estimate 90%, have a financed system. Often that's a $50-60K system on a $250-300K house.
CreepinDeth
TJ Enthusiast
Perhaps I will PM u in the near future to ask how you navigated all those Federal and State credits to achieve them if you dont mind.
Ive been draggin my feet on this for many years.
Panasonic is a very good name, but didnt know they had panels also. Looks like they stopped production last year
Id be curious how they handle warranties now
Panasonic Solar Panels: Ending in 2022 - NRG Clean Power
Panasonic solar panels are going to be a thing of the past as they leave the industry by March 2022. But what does that mean for you?
nrgcleanpower.com
Always talk to someone who's been there, but a decent solar installer will know the credits available. If they don't, run away. Also, to cash in on the credits and tax incentives, the system will have to be installed by a certified installer, so you won't be able to do it yourself or after hours with a buddy.
CreepinDeth
TJ Enthusiast
Always talk to someone who's been there, but a decent solar installer will know the credits available. If they don't, run away. Also, to cash in on the credits and tax incentives, the system will have to be installed by a certified installer, so you won't be able to do it yourself or after hours with a buddy.
Im an Electrical Worker that works up to 765,000 volt AC systems,, so Im sure with my certifications I will be allowed to handle a low voltage system DC to AC as I have the background. (I could be wrong tho)
However, I still appreciate the info, as I will obviously need all that confirmed when applying
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That's great and all, and you may be able to physically install it yourself, but you won't be able to cash-in on the credits without that "certified/approved business" receipt. The same goes with other programs like HVAC installs. I have family members who are willing to help me with HVAC issues on my personal house at cost + I do the work, but in order to cash-in on government incentives, I have to go through a certified installer, i'e. a business on the "approved" list.
You can look into some of these incentives here (this site might be my state specific, but your state probably has similar); https://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program the fine print is where you'll find the important details.
It's not a problem. I did a DIY geothermal installation for my house and was able to take advantage of the tax credits. In my case, the tax credits were 30%. I had a receipt for the hardware I purchased, and a receipt for the well driller's service. This was about 6 years ago.
The whole system cost me about $15k, before tax credits. Turnkey HVAC contractors started at $30k.
I haven't heard of anyone doing a DIY geothermal setup, so I have to ask, how or what did you do-it-yourself? You say you had a well driller come out, so you went with a vertical system. Did you install the line and grout, and do the unit change-out/hookup yourself?
As someone replied earlier, my installer did all the paperwork for me for the SREC’s. The FTC’s were easier, but my accountant had to file the proper forms and documentation with my taxes to get the tax credit.
The local utility had to approve the installation since I stayed hooked to the grid. They tested the system for backfeeds and had to install a Net Meter on my home before we were allowed to turn the system on. Once they tested and approved the install, I was good to go. I’m sure it’s possible to make solar a DIY project, but it’s above my pay grade!
If I understand SREC’s correctly, it is a consortium of utilities who incentivize homeowners to install solar by paying them directly based on the production capacity of their system. Mine is a 10k system. They paid me to buy the rights to my production. In other words, it gives them the right to claim they are producing the kw’s I’m producing. A couple times a year, utilities, in Illinois anyway, are required to disclose where their power is coming from, 50% Coal, 30% Nuclear, etc. Through an SREC payment, a utility gets to claim the production of my system as a percentage of their solar production. I received a cash payment that paid for over 25% of my system.
I had the well driller, drill 4 wells, install closed loops into each well, grout the wells, and run the loops into my basement. I connected the loops into a manifold, removed some water from each loop and added an anti-freeze, and ran the manifold piping to my indoor unit. I paid the well driller about $5k.
I bought the indoor unit from a co-worker that is a ClimateMaster dealer, and had a few friends help me get it down my basement steps. This cost me about $8k. I paid $1k to another buddy the make the duct work transition pieces between my new indoor unit and the old heat pump indoor unit I replaced.
I reused the existing thermostat/communication wire, but installed a new programable thermostat. I paid my co-worker, the ClimateMaster dealer, for start up assistance in programming. It took maybe an hour.
I got lucky, because without my co-worker, none of it would have happened. The down side of DIY is getting service. Again I got lucky. It took a few years, but, I've found a local company to do service, if needed.
Since the installation was completed, I've had two issues. The first year of ownership, there was a circuit board recall. About year three, there was a circuit board that failed. I pay for an annual service agreement where they come twice a year to change filters, clean the coils, and other minor tune-ups. If I need additional service visits, I'm on a priority list.
The four loops into my house use micro adjustable flow control valves. They are used to equalize the flow between each loop. Initially they were left wide open, and the system worked fine. It seems many systems don't use this type of valving. My service contractor called me one day and asked to use my system for a training session for some new employees. If I allowed them access for an afternoon, they would equalize the flow between the loops for free. I did, and they did. I can't say that I've seen a noticeable increase in efficiency.