CHELLIE

I wish I would have seen this Video before I went with solar on my Home, This video just came out recently, I did not know a lot about solar and I studied what ever info i could get my hands on, Anyway I did go with solar after all, and the sales man was pushing a 95% solar system, meaning 95% of my electricity needs would come form solar, Yea Right, I wanted a system that was 125% of my needs so that I would not have to pay the electric company and would recieve some money back at the end of the year for generating more electricity than i used, well I got talked into a 95% system and I am Pissed off, at the end of the year I had to pay edison $920.00 that I was not expecting in electricity that I was using and it was showing on the bill but it was well hidden on page 5 I Had 8 more solar panels added to my Home, and that gives me a 112% system, 12% more than what i will be using, I am still ahead of the Game, the first system lease is $100.00 per month and the second system lease system is $49.00 a month, so my Electric Bill is about $150.00 per month, the average electric bill in my area is $200 to 300 per month.
My advice to anyone if they do go solar, is to get a 125% solar system and dont let the sales person talk you into any thing less than that, If they do try to sell you a smaller system, show them the Door and tell them to get the He!!! out of here LOL

Don Sims

Thanks for the heads up. Was considering options on getting off the electric grid.

CHELLIE

Hi Don I learned the Hard Way but i was still Careful when getting my solar system, The Video shows people what to watch out for so a person is more informed, Take care and have fun, Chellie

Panther

I went solar about 8 years ago when it was quite expensive then. My 4 kW system cost Au $11,000. (SMA Inverter) 21 Panels on my roof. Part of that cost was the Aluminium framework for mounting it all.
It has paid for itself twice over + some. My last bill was $3.60.
I would never get less than a 6kW system again then I would get no bills. My biggest winter bill running heating was about $200. Sometimes I have credit.
In time I will be replacing the whole system but have no intention of going off grid. Of course better panels are available now also.
I have not had to touch my system since install so it has been very reliable.

CHELLIE

Cool, add 8 more panels to your system and you should Be Good To Go Solar panels do get weak over time, and the newer panels will prolong you from having to replace the whole system, solar panels have a life of about 25 years, so you are still good

RKTLaunch

I did build off-grid about 3 years ago. Even with 8k watts in full sunshine and $4000 in batteties for night time, I cannot run a frig, and certainly not an AC at night. I can just barely keep the AC on every time a good cloud goes over, and not at all in very dark overcast. I have to supplement with propane for cooking, heating and hot water. I do use electric heat but only in full sunshine. I don't want to spend $1200 on a tiny propane frig. I have 4, 40 lb bottles I take to refill. First year I spent $500 on propane, 2nd year $300. Last year, 2020 I spent $250. It's a battle. It's quite difficult to live off-grid. I have a small 2k generator if I really want to work on my computer at night, and a 4k generator for my water well. I had a traditional septic system put in that requires no electricity.

I did peal and stick panels on a metal roof. Even got a little 2" hail that dented a couple....didn't effect them at all and that was 3 years ago. Unisolor panels.

The good news is I have no bills, so I only have about 6 more years to break even...haha, and I live alone, so I'm not dragging a women thru it. Aren't I considerate?

It WAS a challenge I wanted, but I would not suggest it to anyone else. Don't forget, off-grid includes all utilities... electric, water, sewage... natural gas. None of those connected.

Grid-"tied" is more livible and much more expensive.
.

Panther

Reported

crxmanpat

Cleaned them up, thanks.

AEAJR

I have no plans to go off-grid but I would like to be part of the solar power system.

Based on current laws I can't get enough panels on my roof to make it pay. My house faces south but I have two dormers and the law says you can't have the panels within 3 feet of the dormers.

I am hoping that they come out with solar shingles before I have to put on a new roof.

solentlife

Solar ..... where I live - wind is the best format.

I am looking at low power 12V wind systems to provide power to my boats ... to charge their batterys during periods of non-use.

To have Solar or wind power for home - would mean very large panels / turbine and high cost ... but its definitely something I keep an eye on ... Latvian Govt does say they provide part funding ... but given their overall record when it comes to promises ............ mmmmmmmmmmmm ???

ron_van_sommeren

RCG user skylar a.k.a. Christo van der Merwe, has built several wind generators
www.bavaria-direct.co.za
→ Generators

solentlife

TBH - if I do it ... a) its most likely only for the boats at 12V .. and 100W steady is more than enough - so a 200W setup will be enough. Plenty of budget systems available.

For the house - to qualify for Govt - then it needs to be an authorised system here.