Foghorn March 24, 2016 Mtg - Solar

Despite this environment he emphasized that you do have choices! The cost of panels continues to drop and there are good, made in USA panels available. The panels’ have a lifetime of 30 to 35 years and the warranties are good. Shop around for comparative proposals. SKS can save you money on project investment. For example he offered the example of a Woodside residential installation with a 4.5 year pay-back and then 30 years of free electricity. He pointed out that on average there are 5.6 hours of solar generating time a day for 365 days a year. He mentioned the advance of the industry citing improvements in the inverters both stand alone and the new micro-inverters build into each panel. Also panels are being offered in colors - like the old Fords advancing from basic Black to Red, Green and Blue. Also hybrid panels which harvest heat too are being perfected.

The HERO program was set up with $500 million capital to encourage solar installations. Homeowners making an average installation of $25K projects are loaned the money to their house. They make payments which are added and billed through their Property Taxes and they can elect a 5, 10, 15 or 20 year term with the interest deductible with your property taxes. Many other commercial loan options are available but he cautions that you must be a wise consumer! He cited the examle of a $29K solar project financed by a 20 year loan at an interest rate which equaled a $129K pay out over the life of the loan.

When selecting a system don’t build too big a system as the pay back for the excess production is only 3 cents/KWhr. If your needs grow such as adding an Electrical vehicl(s), Hot Tub or AC you can add panels in that eventuality.

Bill then listed the benefits of going Solar which include:
Tax Benefits/Incentives  are currently available
SAvings on Electircty bills
Environmental advantages conventional production
Reduced dependence on foreign (and domestic) oil
Plus it is good for the Ecnomy and Environment.

He noted that China is late to adapt solar domestically having been a huge player exporting panels but are now playing catch-up to eliminate pollution. 

He also left us with the fact that Governor Brown has set ambitious Renewable Energy goals for California which are set in the law of 30% by 2020 and 50% by 2030.

Think Green, Go Solar!

Q&A:

Does installation jeopardize ones roof?
Must look at life of roof compared to 30 year life of panels. Don’t install on an old roof. Sometimes people reroof under the installation alone. Cant be installed on Shakes or terra cotta roofs.
Costal climate comparable?
Yes it pencils out on the coast despite our fogs. Cleaning panels necessary every 6 to 8 months. Companies will schedule this for $100 for owners.
What are future economics?
The cost of panels has dropped from $14/wat in 2002 to $4/watt today and this trend will contine but leveling off.
How does it work?
No storage, production goes onto grid through a smart meter. At the end of the year there is a true up reconciliation in which your usage is billed against your production equaling a billing or payment.
Storage batteries are available, notably the Tesla Home Pack for $3,000 and up to give back up against power interruptions on either side of the meter.
What is cost of Labor vs Product?
Labor is going up, materials are going down. A solar installation increases the value of a home by from 4.8 to 6%

For more information contact Bill Hedgepeth at www.solarkitsolutions.com .