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Thanks for your responses. I will contact the places mentioned and see what they have to offer.
The tax breaks were never anything I qualified for, so they make no difference to me.
Seems like $12K is a lot of $ for a 500 sq. ft. place. My place is 1500 sq. ft. With a 700 sq. ft. Ohana. I had no idea it was this steep. Those of us bottom feeders with little income and no tax break threshold have to fork out the big bucks just like the rich. I was hoping to get it done for less.
I don't want the uncertainty of paying a company for 20 years. What happens to those folks signed up with this company when the company goes belly up? Do you have something in your contract that covers that?
What is the easiest system to maintain and work since I am gone for months at a time and my wife will be alone messing with the system and she wants it to be "idiot proof".
Thanks plenty for your help on this complex issue.
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I heard it's too late in the year to apply for grid tie system. so gotta wait one more month looks like.
also, i heard if u don't fortunately or unfortunately have enough State tax liability to use the 35% tax credit there is a alternate 24.5% rebate straight from the State up to $3500.
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Grid tie is the easiest, and the leased options are really easy as the company you are leasing from do any maintenance for the life of the lease (but usually the life of the lease ends closer to the end of the warranty time for the panels...so... )
Most of the solar leasing companies give you the option of paying the lease off upfront or over time... the over time option is easier on the upfront pocket book, but usually has an interest rate over time that does increase the total cost of the system...
As to the sizing of the system, the size of your house is not as important as your current usage (both meanings on current!)
You have to look at what you are using now, and have you reduced the amount of your usage as much as you can ,
Most people are amazed that getting a modern HIGH EFFICIENCY refrigerator can make a savings of a hundred dollars or more a month - and the fact that you must not look at all of the "energy efficient" refrigerators as the same - I have found that the EPA label on the same sized refrigerator can be twice that of another, and both be labels as "Energy Star"!
Almost everyone I know with off-grid systems has had to train on their first battery pack - usually the first pack life is very short... some less than a year. After that very $$teep learning curve, they usually get a nice battery life out of their SECOND pack....but until there are "training wheel" battery packs, I dunno...
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Ok, at the risk of being annoying
Square footage or size of a place has very little to do with it - it is how much electricity you use. Kinda like when people describe their system as " I have 10 panels" trust me, there is a world of difference between 10 panels @ 60 watts each, versus a 10 panels @ 240 watts each. Likewise a 500sf place with wall to wall electric gadgets and appliances will require a bigger system than a 2000sf place with propane appliances, minimum lighting and gadgets. If currently on grid pull out all those electric bills and see what you historically use. Anything else is a WAG at best.
Another vote for Paul, SOLARMAN. He did my main house system back in 2006. I probably average 15-20 minutes per month on battery maintainance. Paul also did a neighbors house which is on grid but has battery backup. Paul has also been the one to come in with other friends to fix, upgrade, or replace on systems built by others - usually because their batteries failed or the initial system had too few panels(wattage). Don't know how it is now, but a few years ago it seemed quite common for some installers to sell undersized with cheap batteries because it made that initial $$$ more palatable - but you pay what you need to eventually.
Caution - if your end game is a battery system make sure you talk that up front as some grid tie systems cannot be readily converted.
PS, I like my off grid system - 6.04kw panels (48 if you care), all Outback stuff, 48 volt, Rolls Surettes (1350 amps), 24kw diesel. We are an energy pig, house has all the usual conveniences and we average about 18kw usage per day.
David
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David's right - it's about the loads, not the sq ft. While my ohana is somewhat small, I have (for want of a better word)... electronic toys.  Including air conditioning. So I bulked up a bit, for my situation.
As for the subsidy, I do qualify, but it did not influence my choice in the least. I made all my choices based upon the loads I would carry, and the level of quality I wanted in my system. Down the road what is important to me is whether this system will last; with proper maintenance I am good to go for a long energizing ride. When all the king's men fall down, I'll be spinning "Dark Side of the Moon" in cool comfort.
Or, at least I hope so.
*grin*
-- rainshadow
-- rainshadow
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If you live in Orchidland (cloudy days) and your wife wants a solar electric system to be simple (idiot proof), net metering is really your only choice. Does your wife want to watch your battery meter like a hawk when you've had two or three or more days with no sun? Does she want to think about and adjust her power consumption based on the number of days you've gone without sun? Does she want to use a backup generator from time to time (gas, noise, tune up)? If the answers are "no," then you should go with net metering.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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What is the best generator for battery charging? Any dc specific generators?
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Orchidlandguy,
A couple of things to consider. With a lease, you get the cost saving benefits of both the State and Federal tax rebates. Sunrun takes them and passes on the savings to you. This is the main reason we went with a lease.
If you pay the lease upfront, like I did, there are no more payments to make except the minimum charge that Helco charges ($20.50) assuming your system is large enough to cover your usage. Even if they go out of business, you still have the PV system. You've paid for it. In my case, I am getting a 20% return on the $10,400.00 investment I made at today's Helco rates and my current electric. usage, and it will only get better.
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There aren't really DC generators "off-the-shelf", but there are plans available for crafting your own (a small gas engine + alternator).
System sizing is completely about usage (not square feet), with some adjustment for overall solar access (eg, Glenwood vs Kalapana).
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quote:
Originally posted by HereOnThePrimalEdge
If you live in Orchidland (cloudy days) and your wife wants a solar electric system to be simple (idiot proof), net metering is really your only choice. Does your wife want to watch your battery meter like a hawk when you've had two or three or more days with no sun? Does she want to think about and adjust her power consumption based on the number of days you've gone without sun? Does she want to use a backup generator from time to time (gas, noise, tune up)? If the answers are "no," then you should go with net metering.
Thanks for making me smile.
I'm guessing most anyone wanting to live a simple, idiot proof life that involves customary modern conveniences might have to very seriously consider if such a life is even possible, be it Orchidland, Puna, Hawaii Island, or even the state of Hawaii.
David
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