Posts: 14,125
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
people who have cable as well as independent solar systems
Oceanic requires an "independent solar system" to be fully permitted/inspected before they will consider installing cable. I realize that such systems do exist, but I have never actually seen one; thus, the best way to "guarantee" getting cable is by having grid power.
that part of your response is just off the cuff BS
Oceanic's regulations are the BS here.
an independent system that will continue to work after a storm event or earthquake trashes the grid would have excellent resale value
In theory, yes; in practice, most home buyers find off-grid homes to be "weird and scary", effectively reducing their apparent "resale value" compared to equivalent grid-connected real estate.
Posts: 735
Threads: 20
Joined: May 2006
This makes me wonder if the old NEM deal will transfer to a new home owner. People already on NEM are grandfathered in and will continue to get the higher rate. If they sell, will the new owners get it too? I doubt it.
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
quote:
Originally posted by bystander
This makes me wonder if the old NEM deal will transfer to a new home owner. People already on NEM are grandfathered in and will continue to get the higher rate. If they sell, will the new owners get it too? I doubt it.
I was about to ask the same question. To restate it:
Is the grandfathering provision of the net-metering arrangement applicable to the property and passes on to subsequent owners, or is it only applicable to the present subscribers?
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 1,858
Threads: 46
Joined: Apr 2015
30 cents to 15 cents and you people are worried about the resale value of your system? Worry about the next 'adjustment' from 15 cents to 2 cents!
Posts: 14,125
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
http://www.hawaiianelectric.com/heco/Cle...-in-Hawaii
Specifically, "Appendix I", Section 5:
If a Generating Facility changes ownership, the Company may require the new owner to complete a new Net Energy Metering Agreement.
Note, however, that the "Customer", "Property Owner", "System Owner", and "System Operator" may be different entities, in which case the "ownership" may not actually change when the "customer" moves.
Posts: 1,930
Threads: 71
Joined: Jun 2012
The effect is how long on net metering does it take to pay off the system. Its going to take twice as long now, meaning back to 20 years to break even. Solar is turning out to be like a lot of consumer electronics: the early adopters get shafted, the later consumers benefit from reduced cost and better performance. Lithium batteries for home solar PV are becoming available but they are still in the thousands for a battery bank. There are several business models being tried to cash in on the net-metering to subsidize the cost of the solar PV installation. Without tax breaks and higher net metering buy back, those companies are going to start to collapse. Then it will be seen how they exit, make everybody buy the system outright or have to take the systems back.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
Posts: 7,754
Threads: 687
Joined: Jun 2011
You need to remember that if they didn't reduce the amount of money paid for the solar power they are buying, the other option is that they were going to increase the grid tie fees.
Our 19th century power distribution system was designed to transmit power ONE direction. Power companies lose a lot less power through copper resistance when they transmit extremely high voltages and the power is stepped down to the consumer at the end of the transmission. Installing the equipment to take a few extra watts generated by your solar system and step it UP to something that can be added to the grid isn't free. If the rest of the grid was off and you were out in the middle of nowhere, resistance would eat up all of your power generation before it could get to your neighbor. Since it isn't "fair" to charge non-solar customers the costs of upgrading the grid from one-direction to multi-directional so that grid ties can sell their power, they have only two options: increase the grid tie fees for solar customers, or pay them less for the power they contribute. In some areas, the grid-tie fees have risen so high that some customers are reporting they are nearly as high as what their electrical bills were before they went solar. Which do you prefer?
Personally, I'm holding out for a better battery solution. While I wait I'm guessing the panel prices will continue to drop or the panels will continue gaining efficiency. Or both. Through basic conservation (solar hot water, LED lighting, energy efficient appliances, etc) our electricity bill hovers between below to slightly above $100, much of that just fees unrelated to power consumption. It doesn't make sense for us to switch to solar at this time but the next big battery thing is just around the corner. Then its goodbye Hellco.
ETA: grammar
Posts: 2,466
Threads: 316
Joined: May 2008
Utilities transmit power at high voltages because it's much cheaper to do. They can use smaller wire sizes and can go much longer distances.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
Posts: 10
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2012
Hi Puna webbers! We are ready to have our off grid solar system installed. We have quotes for the equipment but can't seem to get a quote for installation. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Connie
Connie
Posts: 1,217
Threads: 18
Joined: Jan 2014
quote:
Originally posted by lavalava
Grid tie is a scam. Batteries are better every year. To hell with helco be your own utility!
same same
