Are solar panels worth the investment?

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-Pjackso

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Also, the numbers that the solar company are providing are going to be grossly exaggerated in their favor. I would find someone who has had the same setup for at least a couple of years and ask them, but be prepared to read through the lines- some people don't do numbers very well or they may be hesitant to admit they got duped.

Absolutely!!!
The contractor I used claimed a 5-7 year ROI, but after I reviewed real world output and calculated my own numbers - I calculated a 22.4 year ROI. When I asked how the contractor 'calculated' his numbers - the math was blatantly wrong. I just said 'thanks' and parted ways.
Run your own numbers.


FOR REAL WORLD PV Solar generation numbers - in Oklahoma City:
1) Go here (ht tps://ww w.sunnyportal.co m): SMA Solar Technology AG - Sunny Portal
2) Then click on 'Publicly available PV Systems'
3) Under city enter: oklahoma city

Find and review real-world PV generation. Note the size of the system - and scale it appropriately for your system.
Look for monthly yield (KWh) - then multiply by the KWh electric rate. That's the PV monthly 'savings'.
Now compare monthly savings to your total system expense for (simple ROI).
 

gmar

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I’ll try to answer all the questions:

1. 24 panels that produce 350 watts is $42k

2. He said it’a not worth putting extra panels on the roof to produce more than I need as the electric company only pays wholesale

3. 20 year loan at 1.99% interest which is where the payment comes in

4. Panels are hail resistant. Even with the large hail in Norman, they didn’t loose any panels.
 

2busy

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I’ll try to answer all the questions:

1. 24 panels that produce 350 watts is $42k

2. He said it’a not worth putting extra panels on the roof to produce more than I need as the electric company only pays wholesale

3. 20 year loan at 1.99% interest which is where the payment comes in

4. Panels are hail resistant. Even with the large hail in Norman, they didn’t loose any panels.
I have about 7K invested, 6000 watt inverter, 3 midnight solar controllers, 2 trackers, 1 fixed array. 10 circuit transfer switch, wire, disconnects, 3420 watts of panels. I can run 2 window units, 2 freezers and 2 refrigerators and lights all day if the sun shines. A lot of that cost was batteries for off grid power. I am not grid tied with the solar. I wanted a separate power source.
 

gmar

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Here’s the worksheet they left me:

AC49547C-287F-400B-B889-7B6730E2A159.jpeg
 

Eagle Eye

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This was my solar system in rural SE OK. 12kwh with a 10kwh converter. No batteries so if power went out I was without power. Got 30% back on my tax return. Whole house was electric. No electric bill after install. I’d say it was worth it, the price you currently pay per kWh is a key factor.
 

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