The Cost Of Solar - From An Engineer Client

Having to replace solar panels after just paying them off means this is a lifelong financial commitment. No thank you!

I was in the oil industry almost 30 years with 2 major energy companies. The reserves of oil and gas are SIGNIFICANT , 

Energy companies are always looking to build their reserves and discovering alternative energy sources such as hydrogen, wind power,  when ECONOMICALLY available.

I will leave it there......

Good morning Candice. Reminds me of a line from Jack Nicholson in a movie: "The truth! You can't handle the truth" Then again John Kerry is polluting the earth spreading the message in his jet. And India and China are laughing their A$$eS off. Enjoy your day.

Great information Candice. I've wondered about the cost and timing to replace panels. Homeowners are also told it will add to the value of their home and unfortunately, it doesn't. Some get a rude surprise when they find out not only do they not add to the value but they have to pay off loans for the panels. 

I have some clients who like them and find value in them. They like knowing they're doing something good for the environment. You have to take them for what they are.

He seems knowledgeable but I am going to trust more in what my boy Elon says, haha.

I purchased a system last year.  I am having a little buyer's remorse.  I will not be adding a system to any other property for some time.

Dear Candice,

That cost seems higher than leases were with SolarCity & companies like it more than a decade ago. Prices have come down much lower in this area. If you buy outright, they are less than half. Regarding panels, there are good companies in the US that build them. They may be a little more expensive, but like much in construction, the cost is in the skilled labor, not the materials.

It might be wiser for investments in modern safe nuclear plants, and tidal turbines as well as heat pumps

Hi Candice - I fear that people are falling for this and I see solar people coming and going.  Sort of the same as electric vehicles as Nina mentions.

Candice:

Being well informed about the costs and issues with solar is smart. Some of this was news to me, so thank you for helping us be MORE informed. I bet lots of people are unaware of some of these issues. I had no idea about the inverter issue!

Jeff

     Until they can bring down the costs, "Solar" is a novelty for the wealthy and affluent.  Or, it's a money pit for the unsuspecting!

So gals to see this post featured! I read it when you first posted..excellent information..good to have all the facts..knowledge is power! Congratulations on a well written informative post!

A most informative post on the solar panels that people are so enamored with and fail to really hear the sales pitch, which in itself is flawed.

Not very practical to try and live off the grid, unless it's completely off the grid in the mountains

Wow. I know a lot of people (personally) who are pushing solar in this area (Chicago!)

It's good to know that the panels must be replaced. But I also read something (sorry, can't remember which app) that another problem with solar and wind is that they can't be stored for any length of time. I remember the maximum time being minutes, not weeks or months!

Apparently, billions were spent in a town in India where a huge solar plant was set up. The locals abandoned it when they had their first blackout because the power was used up. They went back to oil and gas. 

I am also very much in favor of these alternative sources to be developed - but they're simply not there yet.

I had a home listed that the seller was paying for their solar panels on a contract.  They still owed $16k and the buyer didn't want to assume the contract since it was going to be a rental and the tenants typically pay for power here in Idaho.  I ended up paying a huge discount for them and to relocate them to my house.  I didn't realize that since we are on a "net meter" (if they generate more than I use, my meter spins backwards giving me credits), that if the grid goes down (power outage) I don't have power from them available on a clear blue sky day.  Think of having a brand new car with a full battery, tank of gas, etc., but no starter. Some day, I will get a battery backup or generator attached to fix that.

For cripes sake, stop digging! The best advice in today's world...Just because today is challenging, strength and motivation is gained by looking up to a higher place for inspiration. Or just get busy and create your own happy success! 💯BB!

Good Morning Candice A. Donofrio 

What an informative post. Most people would never even know the hidden costs of solar panels. So does it really save the consumer $$$? AND THEN there are storage batteries

We have plans for solar power for our new place, but there are some intangibles your engineer doesn't mention that offset some of the concerns.
How reliable is the power grid for the location?  Where we're moving I know there are frequent outages.  Our portable generator consumes about 18 gallons of gas a day and it's nowhere near a whole house replacement.  We'll boost our capability at the next place with a whole house generator that works off of propane.  But even with that, the generator is good for about a week and then the tank is empty.

If there's a real SHTF type event, that propane tank isn't going to get refilled, so solar panels with storage batteries give us capability for years.

The panels don't magically fail at 20-25 years, they just lose efficiency.  So add more panels to account for that?  Who knows what the cost/efficiency of panels, inverters, etc. will be in 20-25 years vs. where they are now.

I'm comfortable with our plan and the potential expenses.  And fyi, we'll go ground mounted so we will have easier access to panels and no issues with roofing penetrations.

Now as for the ability to recycle (or not), that does seem to be a big gap in old solar panels.

Fyi, a quick search on ebay and plenty of panels available with lots of years left on them for a pretty reasonable cost. vs. brand new.

Interesting read.  I differ on some points thought.  Power grids vary be region.  Arizona's power grid is very reliable,  nuclear power  contributes about 30%, so I'm told by people at that plant.   The grids back East are the ones to worry about as they are older and less reliable.  I've spoken with people in various states about this. 

What he doesn't mention is that new to newer panels degrade about 1/2 to 1% a year, so after 20 years, the degradation is 10  - 20%.  My panels are the best cost, best production panels so I speak from experience.

Inverters wear out anywhere from 7 - 10 years, it's not a  recommendation a they simply stop working.  I've seen solar companies install them on the hot west side of a house before!  That drastically reduces their lifespan in our hot Arizona heat.   Inverters vary in cost and it depends if they are single inverters or micro-inverters, which are installed under each panel.  Single inverters range in price from $1500 on up.  I would defer to the solar companies as to size and compatability but his price seems TOO high.  

There are companies that are working on recycling solar panels.  That is on the horizon.  

His ROI is wrong, simply put.  The ROI on my solar panels is about 7 years.  It cost $20,000 and I haven't had a bill this year until now, $24.57.  I disagree entirely with his assessments.  His statements are vague and he doesn't talk about energy savings or the value of the panels at all.    He is NOT the source of information that knows every facet of solar from what I see.  

Hi Candace - it is important to look at the at the all the energy sources.  One does not solve all.