Solar array

[ZC]

We are considering installing a solar array on our home (they are measuring our roof right now!) and we wanted to solicit comments from other West Seattlites who have gone before us. Which company did you use? What array did you choose? How long have you had it? Were the savings estimates in the ball park of what they suggested?

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[kgdlg]

Zc can I ask genuinely why you want to install solar? I have always been curious about this given 1) our exceedingly “green” electricity here and 2) how cheap our electricity is (4th cheapest in USA) All the analysis I have done for my projects at work pencil to really long pay back periods. Is it that you want to be “off the grid” as much as possible? Truly just curious.

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[ZC]

There are several scenarios that put the most aggressive system (Not the most expensive) at a 6.9 year payoff. Of course, we’d need to finance so the total amount of the loan would be up to the bank. Currently we pay $.11 per kwh because of some reason that we are not all that efficient. I shut lights off and we have terminated our hot tub but still, we are much higher than our comparable neighbors. We would like to do more to save money while potentially adding value to our house.

We are asking for input to see if it really is worth the investment.

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[kayo]

My parents put solar on their roof last year and they are getting back about $3000 a year from their local utility (PSE – they live north of Seattle) from what they are putting back into the grid. They think it will take 5-6 years to pay it off. I am not sure of all the details but this is what they told me. I was skeptical at first that it would be worth it for them in the long run, but it seems to be working out well so far. I would do it if we had the money. I think it should be required for new construction especially in areas where it is sunny year round.

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[beef]

holy moly. check solarize wa on the internets. now is the most bestest time you could install it. i am doing that exact same thing.

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[hammerhead]

I too am looking into installing solar panels. It is just finding a trust worthy and legit contractor to give me a bid.

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[happywalker]

zc, I think that info you get from city light re your household efficiency vs your neighbors is bogus, just make you feel bad about yourself. I never buy into it. They make us look like wastefull pigs..and we are not. I can’t believe my “neighbors” are that much more environmentally aware. Wast of city $$$. Just sayin.

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[ZC]

We went to a Solarize workshop last month and thought we would see what they had to say. Our trees are an issue, as we knew they would be. But, we are not opposed to chopping them down to make room for the setup. We did have an energy audit last fall and our house does need insulation, in a very bad way. Maybe that’s where our heat is going (it’s freezing in here in the winter)and I refuse to be cold in my own home so I crank the thermostat on our baseboard heater way up.

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[seaopgal]

Given your last post, I would definitely recommend weatherizing (door/window seals, etc.) and insulating first … or at least in conjunction with other improvements, such as solar or a more efficient heating system. Improving the “seal” is by far the most cost-effective thing you can do. You might also reconsider the cooling value of your trees during the summer, passive shade that costs you nothing and helps avoid air conditioning.

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[dhg]

If you’re looking for a good solar company, look at West Seattle Natural Energy. They are a local, family run company and they stand behind their installations.

http://westseattlenaturalenergy.com/

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[kgdlg]

ZC, if your house is so uncomfortable and you have baseboard heat, why spend precious resources on solar, when you could become instantly more “green” by insulating and tightening up your house (or installing a heat pump system?) I would actually take issue with any solar company that would tell you otherwise, because they clearly then don’t care very much about conservation in this case (or maybe they don’t know about your audit?)

I may be biased but in Seattle I feel like solar is a bit like the Prius, more of a status symbol than something that actually makes our world “greener”. This is because 90%+ of our electricity comes from hydro instead of coal, so is cleaner than most other areas of the country already.

I see from the thread above that I have never counted “making money” from the grid in my “payback calculations”. So, if it becomes a revenue stream then the numbers may make sense. Otherwise, it would take years and years to pay back a system like this based on rate savings alone, because electricity is so darn cheap out here. Again, if you make money off it, maybe that alone makes it worth it to you.

As you can tell I am conflicted about this issue.

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[rvhj]

My name is Bob Hughes. I am the salesman for West Seattle Natural Energy. WSNE has been in business for 7 years. We do quality solar installations for residences and commercial applications. Contact our website http://www.westseattlenaturalenergy.com or phone me @206-849-7053 to set an appointment for a site evaluation at your home.

I will clear up a few things:

(1)100% payback for a solar installation is usually achieved in 4.5 to 8 years

(2)Here is how a homeowner can achieve a quick payback:

30% Federal Tax Credit on the total installation

Annual utility savings (goes on forever)

State Rebates (You are paid $.15/kwh to $.54/kwh for the electricity produced by your solar system

There is also a $500-$1000 rebate for using West Seattle Natural Energy that comes from IBEW 46. (WSNE is a union solar installer)

We will provide numerous references. Our prices are competitive with anyone

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[kgdlg]

Well now I know why payback can occur with the already cheap energy we have here! That is a lot of rebates!

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