Leasing solar... April 11, 2021, 10:10:25 am Since I highly doubt anyone would contemplate leasing a solar install on their rig, this is definitely off-topic. However, we were approached for our home by this company's slick salesman, and after uncovering all the ramifications hidden beneath his pitch, sent him packing. We are now purchasing a system outright, from another source. I felt this issue is so insidious that I hope anyone else considering home solar here will read carefully first. Here is one expose:A Major Player in Solar Energy Leaves Some Customers Seething - FairWarningSteve 2 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #1 – April 11, 2021, 11:31:05 am Quote from: Steve - April 11, 2021, 10:10:25 amSince I highly doubt anyone would contemplate leasing a solar install on their rig, this is definitely off-topic. However, we were approached for our home by this company's slick salesman, and after uncovering all the ramifications hidden beneath his pitch, sent him packing. We are now purchasing a system outright, from another source. I felt this issue is so insidious that I hope anyone else considering home solar here will read carefully first. Here is one expose:A Major Player in Solar Energy Leaves Some Customers Seething - FairWarningSteveBottomline...Purchasing a system is the way to go.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #2 – April 11, 2021, 12:48:03 pm We have played around with the idea of getting solar but, frankly, our electric bills have been very reasonable in the past, however they are increasing due to rate increases, probably from the multitude of lawsuits our power company (SCE) has been litigating recently and the resultant upgrades in hardening their systems. I know they have been doing a lot of work in our area anyway. We have never seriously considered leasing, even though it’s the least expensive way to get into a solar system, at least initially.I think the only way it makes sense in the long run, at least for us, is to purchase a system that has battery backup, especially with our grid problems and PSPS events. The options and battery technology are getting better every year so we might take the plunge in the future.What company are you going with, Steve?
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #3 – April 11, 2021, 12:56:23 pm Since this is off-topic, I did not want to post further. Greg, I will send you a private reply...Steve
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #4 – April 11, 2021, 12:59:05 pm "the only way it makes sense in the long run, at least for us, is to purchase a system that has battery backup."My opinion, as a full-timer who doesn't plug in very often, is biased, but--I completely agree. A grid-tied system with no batteries is no use to the homeowner when the grid goes down. I'm much more interested in being self-sufficient than in selling power back to the utilities.I know that it's possible to save money on power bills with a less expensive backup-less solar system, and that makes it worthwhile for some people. But if I had kilowatts of panels on my house's roof, and then found myself without power due to a blackout, I know I'd be kicking myself. 3 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #5 – April 11, 2021, 09:40:10 pm I just got a 4K solar system installed on my house from Tesla. $6060 tax, title and license including installation. They had to add sub panel and grounding rods. All for the price shown here.. This is after the $2K tax credit. They handle everything and they were incredibly professional and ahead of schedule. Note that I am in Southern California. You can go to their website to get a quote if interested.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #6 – April 11, 2021, 10:24:31 pm Jack, that sounds pretty reasonable. Did that include batteries? If so, how many watt-hours capacity?
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #7 – April 11, 2021, 10:36:55 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - April 11, 2021, 10:24:31 pmJack, that sounds pretty reasonable. Did that include batteries? If so, how many watt-hours capacity?No batteries. The Tesla powerwall battery would be another $8k. I considered it but have not had a power outage in forever. It is a 4K watt system which will zero out my bill at end of year theoretically. The total ROI is less than 5 years.The other alternative would be to turn off a couple of lights every once in a while.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #8 – April 12, 2021, 10:43:27 am Quote from: Andy Baird - April 11, 2021, 12:59:05 pmI know that it's possible to save money on power bills with a less expensive backup-less solar system, and that makes it worthwhile for some people. But if I had kilowatts of panels on my house's roof, and then found myself without power due to a blackout, I know I'd be kicking myself.Nope! Folks with a generator equipped RV can just power the important things until the utility power returns. That's been my plan for 25 years, and it's worked perfectly! Actually, I've never had to use the generator option, because we have so few outages and they last for such a short time, there's been no need for it. So, it's a risk assesment: if you live in Texas, get the batteries; Washington State, maybe keep your money invested.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #9 – April 12, 2021, 12:47:51 pm Quote from: Eric Greenwell - April 12, 2021, 10:43:27 amNope! Folks with a generator equipped RV can just power the important things until the utility power returns. That's been my plan for 25 years, and it's worked perfectly! Actually, I've never had to use the generator option, because we have so few outages and they last for such a short time, there's been no need for it. So, it's a risk assesment: if you live in Texas, get the batteries; Washington State, maybe keep your money invested.I hear what you’re saying but, here in Cali, losing power is a way of life recently. I have a Honda 3K portable and now the Lazy Daze as backup power but what I like about the solar w/battery backup for the house is that it will seamlessly keep the important stuff running when we are traveling.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #10 – April 12, 2021, 01:34:04 pm Ok, one last post here. Most solar sales sites, including Tesla, will give you a projected estimate for your location, but you may have to jump a few hoops. This site won't do that:Project SunroofSteve
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #11 – April 12, 2021, 01:53:26 pm Quote from: Steve - April 12, 2021, 01:34:04 pmOk, one last post here. Most solar sales sites, including Tesla, will give you a projected estimate for your location, but you may have to jump a few hoops. This site won't do that:Project SunroofJust tried to input my address and got a message saying they “haven’t reached my address yet.” Guess I live too far in the boonies? 😉
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #12 – April 12, 2021, 02:04:07 pm Can you find your roof on google maps? If so, perhaps your address lists a different city in Google.Steve
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #13 – April 15, 2021, 01:00:31 am I had a 5.8 KW system installed in 2017. PG&E initially said that was too big, based in the prior year electric bill. I pointed out that I was traveling during the summer and that missed critical summer needs. Haven't paid for electricity since. Added a Tesla powerwall last year. PG&E's fire related outages come quickly and can take days for them to check all the lines before restoring power.A couple of aggressive sales people for leased systems convinced me that purchase must be a better option. It would have paid for itself in 7 years had PG&E not raised rates as expected
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #14 – April 15, 2021, 12:07:47 pm Quote from: Eric Greenwell - April 12, 2021, 10:43:27 amNope! Folks with a generator equipped RV can just power the important things until the utility power returns. That's been my plan for 25 years, and it's worked perfectly! For those of us lucky enough to park our rigs at home, this is a workable plan, not so for the many that need to store the LDs far from home, in a storage facility. Larry 1 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #15 – April 15, 2021, 12:14:25 pm "For those of us lucky enough to park our rigs at home, this is a workable plan..."Point of curiosity... presuming you do have your LD parked in a side yard, as I do, how would one use the generators output to power the house fridge when it may be several yards removed?? What connections would be necessary?
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #16 – April 15, 2021, 01:24:22 pm Hi Steve; Just an extension cord. Plug the 'fridge into the cord, and the other end into a socket on the motorhome. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #17 – April 15, 2021, 05:25:21 pm "Just an extension cord."Fortunately my home's floor plan is compatible with that idea, however if I were in one of the other floor plans in this neighborhood that would not be possible. As it happens I would need to take my 50' extension through a window (shortest distance) to pull it off and that still leaves me with candles for lighting.
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #18 – April 15, 2021, 05:33:36 pm "Plug the 'fridge into the cord, and the other end into a socket on the motorhome."And if your Lazy Daze doesn't have an "official" outside AC outlet, remember that you can always plug that extension cord into the AC socket in the outside fridge compartment. As far as I know, all LDs have an AC outlet there.Of course, the alternative is to move the contents of your household fridge to the LD's fridge, and run it on propane. That won't annoy your neighbors with generator noise, and the fridge will run for a long time on a full tank of propane. (If you want to be prepared for disaster, keep your gasoline, propane, and water tanks full when parked at home.) 2 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #19 – April 15, 2021, 06:06:43 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - April 15, 2021, 05:33:36 pmOf course, the alternative is to move the contents of your household fridge to the LD's fridge, and run it on propane. That won't annoy your neighbors with generator noise, and the fridge will run for a long time on a full tank of propane. (If you want to be prepared for disaster, keep your gasoline, propane, and water tanks full when parked at home.)Andy, as a full-timer, you may have lost touch with the fact most home fridges have 25 cuft. capacity. Additionally, most of us pandemic-restricted folk with a LD at the house have filled that fridge too, due to infrequent - but bulky - trips to the market...Steve 1 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #20 – April 15, 2021, 06:30:37 pm Quote from: Steve - April 15, 2021, 06:06:43 pmAndy, as a full-timer, you may have lost touch with the fact most home fridges have 25 cuft. capacity. Additionally, most of us pandemic-restricted folk with a LD at the house have filled that fridge too, due to infrequent - but bulky - trips to the market...Not to mention the 14 cuft. freezer in the garage! 1 Likes
Re: Leasing solar... Reply #21 – April 15, 2021, 09:12:27 pm "as a full-timer, you may have lost touch with the fact most home fridges have 25 cuft. capacity."Guilty as charged. ;-) In addition, I'm single. And since I eat almost no meat, I don't have a freezer full of steaks, pork chops, etc. Even when living in a condo with a "residential" fridge, I never really filled it up.That said, when defrosting, I move the most essential items in my RV fridge to my car fridge for a few hours... and it has half my RV fridge's capacity. In other words, I can seriously downsize when necessary, which is what we're talking about. So I think the idea of using your Lazy Daze's fridge in an emergency is still worth considering.Of course, it depends on the length of the power outage. If it's only going to be a couple of hours, it's not worth the trouble of moving stuff to the RV fridge. Then it would make sense to run your residential fridge from the RV's generator. But if it's going to be a day or more, the propane-powered RV fridge is likely to be more practical than trying to run a generator for long periods. The tricky part is predicting how long the outage will last. ;-)
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