Solar Panels

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Tom Bischoff

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May 16, 2025, 6:40:59 PMMay 16
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Any advice on the pros and cons of solar panels would be greatly appreciated.
And has anyone used Trinity solar for their installation? 
With the electricity rate hike coming soon we are looking to offset some of the cost to charge our Y and S.
Thanks!
Tom

Steven Paradise

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May 16, 2025, 7:15:54 PMMay 16
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Hi Tom

Best thing I ever did. I installed mine 5 years ago and they paid for themselves a year and a half ago. We charge 2 MY’s and my electric bill is rarely more than $6.00.Be careful with Trinity as they push leasing which makes no sense. If you have any questions feel free to email me. 

Regards 

Sent from Steve Paradise's  iPhone

On May 16, 2025, at 6:41 PM, Tom Bischoff <tbisch...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Amar Shrivastava

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May 16, 2025, 7:32:11 PMMay 16
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I looked at solar several times but the payback would have been 8-10yrs; which is typical. A couple of things to keep in mind, I believe they look at the last 12 months of electrical usage and your generally capped at that usage to be covered. Any use above that you will pay for it. Also the SREC's play a big roll in the payback and when I looked at solar they were at ~$150 I think, which made the payback longer than when people who had done solar 5+ yrs earlier. I'm sure they gone down and that works extend payback.

Then you have to factor in the investment you need to make now for it and the opportunity loss of that money making you money in the market and that payback extends significantly.

If you have a bunch of cash sitting around and you're in your forever home, it could be worth doing otherwise, you really need to crunch the numbers. And don't listen to the person selling it to you provide you the payback calc.


Wick Smith

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May 16, 2025, 7:41:02 PMMay 16
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I talked to SunRun, and their proposal made no sense at all. They insisted that I cover my entire house with solar panels and that they become my electricity provider. They claimed the rates would be lower, but they did not guarantee it.



-wick


Tom Bischoff

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May 16, 2025, 8:34:17 PMMay 16
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Thanks for the input guys. 
Steve--who was your installer?

1718...@gmail.com

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May 16, 2025, 8:38:17 PMMay 16
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I have been investing in and involved with the alternative energy, renewable industry for over 25 years.

If anyone is interested in learning about renewals generally and solar specifically. I am more than willing to hold a virtual conference via Zoom or answer any direct questions posed to me. Please let me know if you want me to setup a Zoom conference call for all.  We could discuss how the industry has changed, where it is going and how to benefit from it now….followed by a Q&A. Please let me know.

 

 

Kevin Melly

Field Energy Consultant (#481775)

Cell:  (201) 918-0761

Email: kevin...@sunrun.com

Website: CLICK THIS LINK FOR YOUR FREE ENERGY CONSULTATION

image001.png

Steven Paradise

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May 16, 2025, 10:27:21 PMMay 16
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Tom - 

It was Geoscape Solar but they are no longer doing residential, only commercial. My payback was about 45 months. I have 31 panels. Original cost was $31k, less fed tax credit of 30%. I get about 12 SREC’s per year - started out at about $225 per, now about $187. Current SREC program is less attractive and tax credit may be going away. 

Tesla was very competitive back then but couldn’t get their act together. 


Sent from Steve Paradise's iPad

On May 16, 2025, at 8:34 PM, Tom Bischoff <tbisch...@gmail.com> wrote:



bill p

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May 17, 2025, 6:35:00 PMMay 17
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I'm sure there are MX  people on the list here so I thought I ask opinions as opposed the nonsense I'll get if I post on FB.

I'm thinking of getting an MX or MS if they are refreshed soon. 

One reason I have a MY is to cart bikes around.  I know the MX comes with a receiver (at least for now) and it isn't even an option for the MS.

Anyone carting around bikes on an MS?  How?  Anyone using the roof racks for the MS? 

My thoughts on the two models

MS:

I'm 6'2" but have been shrinking as I get older.   So I am thinking about height.  I have traditional diamond frame bikes.  622 / 27" wheels.  So I am a little worried about how easy using a roof rack would be.  Because of racks and stuff taking the front wheel off is a hassle. I have always used a full tray rack to hold the bike.  So that might be a negative on the MS. 

I haven't checked how good a 'cargo' carrier the MS is but I don't do a lot of that any more.  Mostly a few bags of salt and such.


MX:

The gull wings seem to be a bit of a negative but as I rarely carry passengers I can probably live with them.  Anyone wack them on a garage celing like I've done with the MY hatch?

I haven't had a sedan since I bought my Camry in 2002 (which still runs great - kid has it).  I like the versatility of a hatch but am thinking maybe it's time to switch.  Completely happy with the 2020 MY (other than the FSD) so it's more a whim than anything else.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

bill


Dan DiBiase

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May 17, 2025, 8:12:39 PMMay 17
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I would not hold my breath for a refresh of the MS/MX…. I know they are like 4-5 years since the last refresh and that seems to be when Tesla does do a cosmetic update on their cars, but I think they are such low sellers that they won’t spend the money on them. TBH, I think they are putting g all of their eggs in the automated driving/Optimus robot baskets. Which is one of the several reasons I recently reduced my stake in Tesla by 85%. They’ve lost their way and Elon is so toxic that almost no matter what they come up with, their cred is pretty much gone. It’s a shame because my Model Y is the best car I’ve ever owned.

Back on topic - I have a 2-bike rack for my MY that works great.

I have a Rivian R2 on reserve, along with a Slate.

Dan D
2021 Model Y
Dayton

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bill p

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May 18, 2025, 10:50:56 AMMay 18
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Is that on the roof or a hitch rack?  I'm currently using a Kuat base 2.0 on my MY and I'm happy with it.  Although it's 8-10 lbs heavier than my previous Yakima (a variant on the Tesla bike rack) it is much easier to get inserted in the receiver.

If the MS/MX ends up a non-starter, I might go for a juniper.  At the moment though I'm holding out for the HW3 upgrade.  Certainly the $2,000 offered wasn't anywhere near enough to get me to buy a new one yet. 

I think a refresh MS/MX might come for the image.  Either that or they scrap them altogether.  You can't be a futuristic tech company and have old hardware lying around.  Bad PR at the least.

Yes I'm happy with my 2020 MY.   Great car although I'd like a softer suspension.  Should have gotten the geminis and swapped them for a 19" TSportline that looks like the inductions.

Dan DiBiase

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May 18, 2025, 10:55:18 AMMay 18
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I have a Kuat hitch rack as well. I don’t want to mess with a roof rack for the same reason as you and also have seen a number of folks crack their roof with incorrect installation.

Dan D

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