SOLAR DOLLARS AND SENSE
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e lie a n d
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If y c h a y o u
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c l i m v e s
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Simplified
Schematic
• Solar Panels
• Micro Inverter
• Load Center
• Lights
• Grid System
• Batteries
OFF GRID SYSTEM
SOLAR PANEL
CONTROLLER
BATTERY
LOAD (FENCE WIRE)
Actions Taken to Reduce Energy Use:
• Lights- fluorescent or LED installed 2012/13
• Double Pane Windows installed 2012
• Appliances-Latest Energy Star installed 2013
• Air Conditioning-Energy Star installed 2013
• Exhaust fans in attic, garage installed 2014
• Insulation in Roof installed 2002
• Shut off lights, computer when not in use
• Artificial Grass (reduce water) installed 2014
Oops-Increased Energy Use—Grandson October, 2014
WHY INSTALL SOLAR
PANELS ON YOUR HOME?
?
! 1: Solar panels require more energy to manufacture than they
produce in their lifetime.
! 2: Solar manufacturing results in more pollution.
! 3: Solar is too expensive for widespread usage.
! 4: I will store the excess energy I generate in batteries.
! 5: When power goes out, my home is still powered by solar
! 6: My solar panels won’t work in the cold winter weather.
! 7: Solar panels require maintenance.
! 8: The payback is far too long.
! 9: A solar electric system will raise my property taxes.
! 10: Solar panels make my roof to leak, deteriorate, or collapse.
SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS WORLD WIDE
INSTALLATION NORTH
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e
g : nt stm
n in me ve
s o on I n g
a i r o n i n
Re Env rn End ?
• Retu ate Car
• Reb tric rm
• Elec Te ?
ng id
• Lo
G r
• O ff
•
Rails Up,
First Panel To Go In
Installing Brackets
Under Shingles
Shows 15 degree +
Angle of Panels
Panels In First Two Rows
Tilted for Best Sun Angle
Looks like my house
is flying away
looking Northwest
Cindy’s Trees
shade at 3 pm
Roof is full of
pipes, skylights,
etc.
Meter/Load Center
Cut off switch is to disconnect solar
Enphase Envoy
Brains of System
Solar
City
Installation
down
the
street
Pipes on
Side of
house
NON-PIERCING
ROOF BRACKET
Process: (Due Diligence a must!)
• Establish Specifications-What do you want?
• Research What is Available
• Everything in Writing
• Check With Roofing Company OK to Install Solar Panels
• Solicit and Evaluate Contractors
• Competent Contractors
• Contractor License, Insurance, BBB complaints
• Evaluate Bids,
• Equivalent Design, Conditions, Warranties, Materials
• Price (Turn Key include all taxes, permits, licenses, etc.
• What sets one company apart from others?
• Contract Negotiations and Award Everything in Writing
• Drawings and Specifications
• Review Drawings To Be Sure Meet Contract
• Permit (City, Fire Department, HOA)
• Application to Utility (SCE)
• Installation (3 Days)
• Plan to be there to oversee materials, work being done
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Inspections and Approvals
• City Inspector Your Friend-be with him during inspection
• Connect System –Permission by Edison to Connect
• Notify Insurance Company that panels are installed
• Installer Provides Warranties, Lien Releases, Manual
• Monitor System (Computer App)
• Compare System Production vs. Design
• Generation Daily and Monthly Basis (SCE/App)
• Savings
• Enjoy Meter Going Backwards and $10 SCE Monthly Bill
• File for Rebate With President Obama on your Taxes
• Check For Problems-Discuss with Installer
• Leaks in roof
• Questions you may have
Turnkey Installation including permits and approvals
Contract: $23,000 (special roof connectors, MI,batt. con)
Rebate: $7,000 (will apply w/ 2016 taxes)
Total Capital: $16,000 Net Cost
Anticipated Savings: $1,200 first year
Monthly Electrical Bill: $9.54 for grid distribution (May go up)
25 year guarantee on panels and micro-inverters
10 year guarantee on installation
Current metal roof has 35 year guarantee remaining
!SolarCity Lease Contract (free for similar sized system)
!Basic Charge about $80/month
!Tax about $7.50/month
!Surcharge $ 7.50/month
!Total about $95/month
!Annual increase 2.9%
!Very happy with negotiations, contract, installation,
operation and savings
! Alternatives buy vs “free”
! Buying is preferred
! More $ savings
! Risks in possible maintenance costs
! “Free”-apparently problems
! Monthly charge--some complaints little or no savings
! When sell home may be contractual problem
! 2.9% increase/year so $75 yr 1 goes to $128 in 20 yrs
! Remove at end of lease, or renew lease
! Problems with my roof:
! Metal shingles need special brackets to assure integrity of roof
! Must know how to walk on roof so won’t dent shingles
!5 contractors (contract cost before rebate)
! Solar City—no bid due to of roof-some negatives on leasing- free!
! Freedom-$17,000 low bid, not impressed with sales person or co
! Pederson Dean-highly recommended but no bid because of roof
! Infinity solar-$20,000 mid-price, impressed, could not handle roof
! Vasco-$23,000 good company, highest price, could handle roof
! Composite roof which is on most houses
! Remove shingles then built up roof
! 10 year warranty on built up roof but 25 warranty on panels
! Rebate
! IRS 30% changes in future years unless congress extends it
! California rebate program discontinued –I did not get it
! Net Metering program with SCE
! I have 20 year agreement with SCE for current pricing
! A future program may not be as lucrative
! Monthly Charge $9.54
! Calculation of Usage
! April 2016 kWh
! Enphase Generation 646
! Transmitted to SCE 481
! Used during day 165
! Used at night 276
! Total used 441
! Excess “sold” to SCE 205
SCE Account
ENPHASE
ENLIGHTEN
