3 ms·

I live in South Africa, where we have periodic rolling blackouts, so we're highly incentivized to insulate ourselves from that. I installed 2kW of panels on my

by bmh 5y ago

I live in South Africa, where we have periodic rolling blackouts, so we're highly incentivized to insulate ourselves from that. I installed 2kW of panels on my roof myself, and inverter, and batteries, for a total of about $2700. The price of US solar installations seems incredibly high. Also, with a 2 storey house, it's hard to see the panels even if you try.

fy20 5y ago
> The price of US solar installations seems incredibly high. This is the real story here, and it seems like people are blind to it. Compared to everywhere else in the world, solar prices in the US are ridiculously expensive. I'm based in Europe, and in January obtained quotes for a 10kW roof mount system to be installed. The most expensive quote I received was for €9,500. That's for all equipment, installation, taxes, and guarantee - and before government incentives (30%). The actual equipment would be less than €5,000 if you were to DIY the install, so even with that the installer is making a healthy profit. I frequent /r/solar, and the prices I see people say they are quoted are mind bogling. For the same thing they are receiving quotes of $50k or more. Now admittedly I live in a lower cost of living European country, but I've read prices in Germany are very similar - and that is where all the equipment installers here use comes from anyway. Some of the reasons people give are because electrical equipment needs to be upgraded. Ok, that might cost a little more, but not $40,000. The quote I received was for a new build. It cost us under €1,000 to have the electricity company bring in the supply and install a cabinet and meter on our plot (it was empty before). That included digging up the road, and connecting to overhead wires nearby.
baybal2 5y ago
> The price of US solar installations seems incredibly high. The price of US installation includes very well paid, and very well fed $200k a year electricians scaling your roof.

by bmh 5y ago

fy20 5y ago

> The price of US solar installations seems incredibly high. This is the real story here, and it seems like people are blind to it. Compared to everywhere else in the world, solar prices in the US are ridiculously expensive. I'm based in Europe, and in January obtained quotes for a 10kW roof mount system to be installed. The most expensive quote I received was for €9,500. That's for all equipment, installation, taxes, and guarantee - and before government incentives (30%). The actual equipment would be less than €5,000 if you were to DIY the install, so even with that the installer is making a healthy profit. I frequent /r/solar, and the prices I see people say they are quoted are mind bogling. For the same thing they are receiving quotes of $50k or more. Now admittedly I live in a lower cost of living European country, but I've read prices in Germany are very similar - and that is where all the equipment installers here use comes from anyway. Some of the reasons people give are because electrical equipment needs to be upgraded. Ok, that might cost a little more, but not $40,000. The quote I received was for a new build. It cost us under €1,000 to have the electricity company bring in the supply and install a cabinet and meter on our plot (it was empty before). That included digging up the road, and connecting to overhead wires nearby.

baybal2 5y ago

> The price of US solar installations seems incredibly high. The price of US installation includes very well paid, and very well fed $200k a year electricians scaling your roof.