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I don't disagree, but that's really absurd. Installation is not particularly difficult. There are dangers, but It's not significantly challenging. The market

I don't disagree, but that's really absurd. Installation is not particularly difficult. There are dangers, but It's not significantly challenging. The market requires it - because all those solar companies wouldn't exist if it wasn't profitable. Still... every time I see an installation quote I'm blown away by how much people pay. People don't seem to care about numbers once they have to get financed for a few years.

Animats 9y ago
Installation is labor-intensive custom work. Panel manufacture is a high-volume production process.
- chiefalchemist 9y ago
  And skilled labor at that. You don't want your roof leaking (if that's where it's installed), nor do you want an electrical fire. I also presume the current installation prices might include some sort of maintenance guarantee. That adds to cost as well.
milesvp 9y ago
You should check out the planet money podcast on this topic. Turns out a big part of (consumer?) solar getting cheaper was the invention of a new tool, some kind of wrench I believe. http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/04/10/398811199/episode-616-how-solar-got-cheap http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/04/10/398811199/episo...
- Obi_Juan_Kenobi 9y ago
  > GOLDSTEIN: But again, just in the past few years, installation has actually gotten a lot cheaper. As a way it's gotten cheaper is it's gotten faster. You don't have to pay those guys to be out at your house for as long. And when I was out at John's, I actually saw some of the reasons it has gotten faster. > RYAN BARNETT: This is the Zep Tool. This is the end-all be-all of tools. > GOLDSTEIN: The Zep Tool? Led Zep Tool? > BARNETT: Yeah, exactly. (Laughter). One tool to rule them all. Yep. > GOLDSTEIN: That's a guy named Ryan Barnett (ph). > What's a Zep Tool? I mean, it's a wrench. It's basically a wrench. It's got these little marks on it or whatever, but the key thing is it's part of this whole installation system they use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiKyp12ej0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiKyp12ej0 I think it's much more accurate to call it an installation platform/system, as the wrench is fairly incidental. The hardware is the innovation. Pretty cool overall.
gehwartzen 9y ago
Since owning a house I am no longer surprised when seeing high costs for quotes of solar installs. Pretty much everything from a simple plumbing job to getting a window fixed has gotten very expensive. I'm sure the costs for a contractor doing solar panels on a complete new build "cookie-cutter" subdivision could be quite reasonable but anytime it's a one off, with every house having its own unique quirks, it becomes expensive. It's also one of those things where I assume liability for the contractor can get quite high. Panel falling off the roof, or causing issues with standing ice or roof leaks, etc. Additionally it requires expertise in not only roofing but also electrical circuits (so a qualified electrician).

Animats 9y ago

Installation is labor-intensive custom work. Panel manufacture is a high-volume production process.

chiefalchemist 9y ago
And skilled labor at that. You don't want your roof leaking (if that's where it's installed), nor do you want an electrical fire. I also presume the current installation prices might include some sort of maintenance guarantee. That adds to cost as well.

milesvp 9y ago

You should check out the planet money podcast on this topic. Turns out a big part of (consumer?) solar getting cheaper was the invention of a new tool, some kind of wrench I believe. http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/04/10/398811199/episode-616-how-solar-got-cheap http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/04/10/398811199/episo...

Obi_Juan_Kenobi 9y ago
> GOLDSTEIN: But again, just in the past few years, installation has actually gotten a lot cheaper. As a way it's gotten cheaper is it's gotten faster. You don't have to pay those guys to be out at your house for as long. And when I was out at John's, I actually saw some of the reasons it has gotten faster. > RYAN BARNETT: This is the Zep Tool. This is the end-all be-all of tools. > GOLDSTEIN: The Zep Tool? Led Zep Tool? > BARNETT: Yeah, exactly. (Laughter). One tool to rule them all. Yep. > GOLDSTEIN: That's a guy named Ryan Barnett (ph). > What's a Zep Tool? I mean, it's a wrench. It's basically a wrench. It's got these little marks on it or whatever, but the key thing is it's part of this whole installation system they use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiKyp12ej0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiKyp12ej0 I think it's much more accurate to call it an installation platform/system, as the wrench is fairly incidental. The hardware is the innovation. Pretty cool overall.

gehwartzen 9y ago

Since owning a house I am no longer surprised when seeing high costs for quotes of solar installs. Pretty much everything from a simple plumbing job to getting a window fixed has gotten very expensive. I'm sure the costs for a contractor doing solar panels on a complete new build "cookie-cutter" subdivision could be quite reasonable but anytime it's a one off, with every house having its own unique quirks, it becomes expensive. It's also one of those things where I assume liability for the contractor can get quite high. Panel falling off the roof, or causing issues with standing ice or roof leaks, etc. Additionally it requires expertise in not only roofing but also electrical circuits (so a qualified electrician).