Does anyone here have a residential solar system?

[Incitatus]

There are several companies that offer to lease the system and you use your power company to supplement the energy you need. The idea being that your total monthly costs will be lower. Has anyone here done this? If so what company did you use and how has your experience been?

[Drale]

1. I'm not sure I could fit all those planets in my house

[lastlib]

16. I'd have to add-on for Jupiter....

[rufus dog]

19. You must remember that Pluto has been "deplanatized"

So you have one less to fit!

[Lost-in-FL]

2. Me me me me me!!!

We purchased the system 3 yrs ago. We took advantage of the nice tax credits, both state and federal, at the time and our 5kW system came down to <$4,000 out of pocket. I don't know of any company that leases systems and even if it was from a local power company, I would steer clear of any leases by them.

Our company is located in Lake Mary, Florida (BlueChip Energy)

http://www.bluechipenergy.net/project/residential-porfolio

[amerikat]

7. You mean 5kW right?

50 kW is a very big residential system. Just asking.

[Lost-in-FL]

8. 5 kW, my bad.

[Incitatus]

10. That's pretty close to where I live.

How much is your system saving you? Do you know how many KWH it produces each month?

[Lost-in-FL]

14. The highest bill has been $70 (a one time thing) and the lowest $17...

with heavy use of AC (I know... I'm a spoiled brat). In average is less than <$45 per month, but as I said, I keep the AC on when no one is watching (don't tell the hubby).

Important to know: 1) our system is connected to the grid (no solar batteries), 2) we have had a solar water heater for years prior to going all solar and 3) we were forced to replace our 15 yr old AC unit last year when it died, for an energy efficient one. My husband thinks that since then our bill has shown a substantial saving of around 60% roughly .

We do get credits every once in a blue moon towards our next bill depending on the weather and our use of AC. Last years it was cold in Fl and the bills were consistently low. This year has been a bit different cause it is warmer and we use the AC a lot. As of how much energy we consume? My other half might know better than me as he is the one who takes care of that part of the home expenses. Of course, the bills are still inconsistent due to all those factors mentioned (weather, new AC unit, software update by supplier etc.).

[amerikat]

3. Check DU forum Enviroment and Energy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1127

There are folks here that have home systems. In the northeast GRO Solar was doing this type of installation
with financing but their residential parts were bought out and only do larger commercial installations now.

What part of the country are you in? Many of these install/finance are regional company types.

[Incitatus]

9. I live in Florida.

I'll check that forum out, ty.

I have about 1,000 sq ft of space on my roof that gets full sun and my average monthly usage is 2,400 KWH

[rgbecker]

11. I hope you are not serious...2400 kwh/month is 4 times the national average.

[RebelOne]

13. I lived in South Florida as a child and my parents

had a solar system. And this was in the '50s. I know it was a great money saver except when it rained or was cloudy. Then we would have to switch to electric.

[ElboRuum]

4. No, but I do have a commercial galaxy. n/t

[amerikat]

5. Solar City bought Gro Solar's residential business

http://www.solarcity.com/residential/

[jberryhill]

6. Yes

I reside on the third planet from the sun.

It's very nice.

[panader0]

12. I've read a few threads here about prices going down

because technology is going up. I want to start a system at my home too. My neighbor has a nice automatic gate powered by a panel of only two or so square feet.(Just a small example) Another friend lives in the mountains, off the grid, and does fine with a small system. Here in southern Az it's the way to go.
Other things I read here on DU: That a grid of solar collectors 100 miles on each side could power the entire nation with electricity.
That enough solar energy hits the earth at the equator in less than a day to power all needs on earth.
Not sure if that stuff is true, but solar IS the way to go.

[slackmaster]

15. I had a 1.4 KW system installed in April 2011 expecting 8 years to break even

My assumptions include significant rate increases by SDG&E over time.

No regrets yet.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. What step was the CA rebate on when you did that?

[slackmaster]

21. There was so little left in the CA rebate pool that I didn't bother. The federal tax credit...

...was 30%.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. Check their numbers closely and try to independently find some of their customers

I started smaller and now have a large solar installation, well in excess of my needs. On my journey I found out that there is more hype mongers in renewable energy than many realize.

The technology is sound, it just doesn't always give you the $$$ some have been using to sell systems. Review each approach carefully for both costs and risks before you jump in. In SoCal, the best answer is normally to buy your own, YMMV.

Don't let the hype (and you will be drowned in it) discourage you. PV is the best answer we have today, just understand you true costs and risks.

[mahina]

20. Purchase power agreements

are very common now for larger scale commercial solar.

Depending on the credits in your area, it may be more affordable to buy your own system. http://www.dsireusa.org/

/I'm no expert

[IDemo]

22. Yes