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> Even with a tariff on panels, the cost of a solar installation, with incentives, is still significantly cheaper than grid electricity. That all depends on wh

> Even with a tariff on panels, the cost of a solar installation, with incentives, is still significantly cheaper than grid electricity. That all depends on where you live. I could cover my house with panels and not have enough in the winter. It would work great in the summer. It also depends on how your utility bills. During the spring and fall where my bill is the lowest (low usage of heat or a/c) half of my bill is just for being connected to the grid. Since I can't ditch the grid because I need it in the winter, solar doesn't come close to paying for itself in my situation. Power is under 7 cents/kwh, but there is a nearly $40 a month fee for being hooked up to the grid. That said, it is still exciting to see the price come down. I'll likely get a few panels just so I have a little juice when the grid is down.

briffle 8y ago
> 'll likely get a few panels just so I have a little juice when the grid is down. Most grid tie inverters have a shut-off switch that kills all power in case of a power outage. This is usually mandated by safety regulations, to protect linemen working on the downed lines. (there are a few that provide very limited solar power during an outage, but not full power, something like 2000W)
- vpeters25 8y ago
  I can confirm, I have grid-tied solar panels and have gotten outages in the middle of sunny days which is usually the time my panels are actually supplying surplus power to the grid. Only way to have juice during power outages in my configuration is to add something like the 7K Tesla battery.
- twothamendment 8y ago
  Yes, a point to keep in mind when buying equipment. I had a very disappointed neighbor when I finally convinced him to shut the power off to his whole house and see what would happen. The salesman sold him on having power when the grid was down. It takes more work, planning and some battery to have some power when the grid is down. I plan have enough to charge phones, power radios, power propane appliances and maybe keep me on the internet. I'd like to have enough for a refrigerator, but that starts to get expensive.

briffle 8y ago

> 'll likely get a few panels just so I have a little juice when the grid is down. Most grid tie inverters have a shut-off switch that kills all power in case of a power outage. This is usually mandated by safety regulations, to protect linemen working on the downed lines. (there are a few that provide very limited solar power during an outage, but not full power, something like 2000W)

vpeters25 8y ago
I can confirm, I have grid-tied solar panels and have gotten outages in the middle of sunny days which is usually the time my panels are actually supplying surplus power to the grid. Only way to have juice during power outages in my configuration is to add something like the 7K Tesla battery.
twothamendment 8y ago
Yes, a point to keep in mind when buying equipment. I had a very disappointed neighbor when I finally convinced him to shut the power off to his whole house and see what would happen. The salesman sold him on having power when the grid was down. It takes more work, planning and some battery to have some power when the grid is down. I plan have enough to charge phones, power radios, power propane appliances and maybe keep me on the internet. I'd like to have enough for a refrigerator, but that starts to get expensive.