2 ms·

Electricity my state is 11 cents a KWh, and most of it already comes from hydro. Your calculation only holds if the owner plans to live 30 years in the same hou

by m0zg 7y ago

Electricity my state is 11 cents a KWh, and most of it already comes from hydro. Your calculation only holds if the owner plans to live 30 years in the same house, which I do not. You also ignore the maintenance cost. Every spring everything in my area is covered with a layer of yellow pollen. There's also snow sometimes, and general lack of sun for 6 months in any given year. There was actually a humorous episode when a guy from a solar installer came to our office to advertise how much economic sense their solar panels make. He gave all the exciting numbers and everything, and then someone asked him to show some numbers from an actual installation, at that particular time of day. So he brings up a web GUI for a 50KW commercial install, which at the moment was producing something like 2.5KW. Awkward. Ultimately, though, that's not why I didn't go with solar. Our HOA doesn't allow it. I would actually welcome a law which would limit the HOA's say in such matters, or eliminate it entirely.

toomuchtodo 7y ago
I'm not ignoring the maintenance cost, I'm saying it doesn't exist. I'm also saying the math works already in your state at your energy cost. If you want to argue, let's argue over facts. I'm not sure what state you're in, but several states prohibit an HOA by law from preventing you from installing rooftop solar. You should check if your state has such legislation, and if not, champion it. I'll even do it for you if you don't want to spend the time (until I can get federal legislation passed).
- m0zg 7y ago
  >> I'm saying it doesn't exist Top hit on Google: "Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. They are very durable and should last around 25-30 years with no maintenance. The only maintenance you should need to perform is to wash them clean of dirt and dust two to four times a year, which you can easily do with a garden hose." Sounds expensive, if panels are installed on the roof. And you can't wash off pollen by just casually spraying it with a "garden hose". HomeAdvisor quotes $100-350 a pop. As a homeowner I'd expect the actual cost to be closer to the upper end of the range. Tradesmen won't get out of bed in the morning for less than $200. To wash windows in my house from outside only is $300.
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by m0zg 7y ago

toomuchtodo 7y ago

I'm not ignoring the maintenance cost, I'm saying it doesn't exist. I'm also saying the math works already in your state at your energy cost. If you want to argue, let's argue over facts. I'm not sure what state you're in, but several states prohibit an HOA by law from preventing you from installing rooftop solar. You should check if your state has such legislation, and if not, champion it. I'll even do it for you if you don't want to spend the time (until I can get federal legislation passed).

m0zg 7y ago
>> I'm saying it doesn't exist Top hit on Google: "Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. They are very durable and should last around 25-30 years with no maintenance. The only maintenance you should need to perform is to wash them clean of dirt and dust two to four times a year, which you can easily do with a garden hose." Sounds expensive, if panels are installed on the roof. And you can't wash off pollen by just casually spraying it with a "garden hose". HomeAdvisor quotes $100-350 a pop. As a homeowner I'd expect the actual cost to be closer to the upper end of the range. Tradesmen won't get out of bed in the morning for less than $200. To wash windows in my house from outside only is $300.
- deleted 7y ago
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