5 Years with Solar Panels - Is It Still Worth It?

Undecided with Matt Ferrell2 minutes read

The speaker installed solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall in Massachusetts, saving around $7,000 on electricity bills and emphasizing the importance of hiring reputable installers. Despite challenges like reduced solar production and poor installation quality, the overall financial benefits have been significant.

Insights

  • The speaker's solar panel setup in Massachusetts, including a 9.49 kW array with 26 LG solar panels and Enphase microinverters, cost $29,609 in 2018 before incentives, with a 30% Federal solar tax credit available, ultimately reducing the out-of-pocket cost to $14,164.
  • Participation in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) through a Tesla Powerwall referral program resulted in the speaker receiving $772 in the previous year and $736 in the current year, showcasing the potential for these programs to offset the cost of batteries and enhance savings on electricity bills.

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Recent questions

  • How much did the solar panels cost?

    $29,609 before incentives, $14,164 after incentives.

  • What is the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) system?

    Provides monthly payout, reducing out-of-pocket cost.

  • How much money does the speaker save annually?

    Around $1,500 in electricity costs.

  • What is the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program?

    Participates in peak shaving, pays for battery usage.

  • How can snow avalanches on solar panels be prevented?

    Use roof rake for controlled removal, consider snow guards.

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Summary

00:00

"Massachusetts Solar Panel and Powerwall Experience"

  • The speaker has had solar panels for nearly 5 years in Massachusetts and added a Tesla Powerwall after a couple of years.
  • The solar panel setup includes a 9.49 kW array with 26 LG solar panels and Enphase microinverters.
  • The cost of the solar panels in 2018 was $29,609 before incentives, with a 30% Federal solar tax credit available.
  • The Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) system in Massachusetts provided a monthly payout of $126.22, reducing the out-of-pocket cost to $14,164.
  • Solar production in 2021 was down by 11.4% due to a wet summer, but in 2022, it was the best year with 7.4 MWh of production.
  • The speaker saves around $1,500 a year in electricity costs, with prices rising dramatically in recent years.
  • The solar panels have saved nearly $7,000 on the electric bill, bringing the remaining out-of-pocket cost to $7,164.
  • A Tesla Powerwall was added through a referral program, participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for peak shaving.
  • The VPP program paid the speaker $772 in the previous year and $736 in the current year, potentially offsetting the cost of the battery.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people for solar panel and battery installations, sharing positive and negative experiences with different installers.

11:40

"Tesla solar panel installer issues and solutions"

  • Tesla recommended an installer for solar panels, but the quality of work was poor, leading to threats of legal action when the negative experience was mentioned in a video.
  • Snow and rain behavior on solar panels can cause issues, with snow avalanches sliding off due to melting on the glass surface, and rain potentially shooting over gutters if panels are near the roof edge.
  • To prevent snow avalanches, using a roof rake with a long extension pole for controlled removal is recommended, and considering adding snow guards in certain locations could be beneficial.
  • Solar panels can increase the resale value of a home by producing electricity, and a guide called "Achieve Energy Security With Solar" has been created to help individuals navigate the process of getting solar panels, including determining energy needs, equipment selection, and vetting installers.
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