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SolarCity Report and Slight Rant about this forum
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alki...@verizon.net
Jul 28, 2012, 6:51:36 PM7/28/12
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I'm in Maryland and have had a SolarCity installation up and running since May. Not having the $$ to put down for full ownership, and I guess too lazy or risk-averse to purchase a full system through loans and subsidies, I was intrigued by the SolarCity lease plans. Bottom line, after an initial analysis and presentation of alternatives (4 in all), we choose to go with a lease plan with a payment that we were comfortable with, but not breaking the bank. To be clear, you can do an SC lease with $0, but there are drawbacks. The monthly payment is higher. There is an escalation in payments (5% I think, I'm not clear on the details since we didn't do that one.). Lifetime savings are less than with one of the initial payment plans. They did offer a plan whereby you buy the system. Total figure seemed a bit high, I assume they are pushing for lease.
Overall, a very good experience and good results. A few details: our house (small) is pretty much ideal for solar, with an angled roof facing south, free of shadows most of the days. Our systems is 5.8 Kw, grid-tied, with net metering through Pepco. We are producing about 30 KwH most sunny summer days, 33 is the max so far. Sadly, out energy usage (with near-record heat and humidity) is more, of course. But we are going to get an energy audit from SC to see what improvements we can make. Just FYI, our ac unit is over 20 years old, so I know we can do better. And even on these hot days, I notice that the panels are keeping up with the ac consumption during daylight hours, for the most part.
Our goal was not to wring the most savings out of solar, but to go solar and be a bit greener, within our means and lifestyle. SC offers a way to do this and save a bit of money at the same time. The amount of savings over the lease period (20 years) will depend on how much Pepco raises the electric rates. Anyone betting that increases will be low? The nice thing about the SC arrangement is that they supply everything, do everything, and are responsible for everything. I have a very nice Solar Edge inverter, an SC-provided web interface with which I can monitor production in 30-minute intervals, with history by day, month, year and lifetime.
I would be happy to answer questions.
Slight rant: I was happy to find this forum but obviously it is not moderated to eliminate the spam; and there's not much discussion. I suspect that one has something to do with the other. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and good luck with everyone's projects.
Steve
Overall, a very good experience and good results. A few details: our house (small) is pretty much ideal for solar, with an angled roof facing south, free of shadows most of the days. Our systems is 5.8 Kw, grid-tied, with net metering through Pepco. We are producing about 30 KwH most sunny summer days, 33 is the max so far. Sadly, out energy usage (with near-record heat and humidity) is more, of course. But we are going to get an energy audit from SC to see what improvements we can make. Just FYI, our ac unit is over 20 years old, so I know we can do better. And even on these hot days, I notice that the panels are keeping up with the ac consumption during daylight hours, for the most part.
Our goal was not to wring the most savings out of solar, but to go solar and be a bit greener, within our means and lifestyle. SC offers a way to do this and save a bit of money at the same time. The amount of savings over the lease period (20 years) will depend on how much Pepco raises the electric rates. Anyone betting that increases will be low? The nice thing about the SC arrangement is that they supply everything, do everything, and are responsible for everything. I have a very nice Solar Edge inverter, an SC-provided web interface with which I can monitor production in 30-minute intervals, with history by day, month, year and lifetime.
I would be happy to answer questions.
Slight rant: I was happy to find this forum but obviously it is not moderated to eliminate the spam; and there's not much discussion. I suspect that one has something to do with the other. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and good luck with everyone's projects.
Steve
Lu Wei
Aug 5, 2012, 1:12:02 AM8/5/12
to
On 2012-7-29 6:51, alki...@verizon.net wrote:
> ...
I'd like to know how many panels you installed, the panel specs
(manufacturer, type, Peak Watt at STP and NOCT, No. of cells, cell type,
etc).
--
Regards,
Lu Wei
PGP key ID: 0x92CCE1EA
> ...
I'd like to know how many panels you installed, the panel specs
(manufacturer, type, Peak Watt at STP and NOCT, No. of cells, cell type,
etc).
--
Regards,
Lu Wei
PGP key ID: 0x92CCE1EA
Lu Wei
Aug 5, 2012, 1:24:20 AM8/5/12
to
On 2012-8-5 13:12, Lu Wei wrote:
> On 2012-7-29 6:51, alki...@verizon.net wrote:
>> ...
> I'd like to know how many panels you installed, the panel specs
> (manufacturer, type, Peak Watt at STP and NOCT, No. of cells, cell type,
> etc).
>
>
And the price of panel, if that could be bought.
> On 2012-7-29 6:51, alki...@verizon.net wrote:
>> ...
> I'd like to know how many panels you installed, the panel specs
> (manufacturer, type, Peak Watt at STP and NOCT, No. of cells, cell type,
> etc).
>
>
islaysteve
Aug 5, 2012, 7:26:49 PM8/5/12
to
Lu, There are 27 panels; Kyocera 215 watt. I believe you can get the specs at Kyocera's website. I'm sorry but I don't know the prices. Hope this helps, Steve
Lu Wei
Aug 6, 2012, 1:21:25 AM8/6/12
to
On 2012-8-6 7:26, islaysteve wrote:
>
> Lu, There are 27 panels; Kyocera 215 watt. I believe you can get the specs at Kyocera's website. I'm sorry but I don't know the prices. Hope this helps, Steve
>
>
Which panel do you use? In
>
> Lu, There are 27 panels; Kyocera 215 watt. I believe you can get the specs at Kyocera's website. I'm sorry but I don't know the prices. Hope this helps, Steve
>
>
http://www.kyocerasolar.com/residential-solutions/solar-panels/current-products.htm
Black panel or blue? Are there 54 cells per panel?
islaysteve
Aug 6, 2012, 12:10:23 PM8/6/12
to luwe...@gmail.com
Black panel; yes, 54 cells per panel.
Lu Wei
Aug 6, 2012, 9:00:49 PM8/6/12
to
On 2012-8-7 0:10, islaysteve wrote:
> Black panel; yes, 54 cells per panel.
>
Thank you. Through your post I happened to find that we are at the same
> Black panel; yes, 54 cells per panel.
>
level with Kyocera, or better.
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