Solar Systems, Entry level--- More

Andy · 2011-05-18T15:27:58+00:00

Andy comments: On a similar thread , there has been a difference of opinion onwhether a solar PV array which powers an entire house is areasonable thing to do... Since it seems to have degenerated into some personalattacks, I'd like to propose a new direction for those who areconsidering this move : Go and ask a LOCAL realtor, several if possible, what the increasein the value on their house, on the market today, will be if theyinstalla 50K solar PV array . ( This number is from another poster, whoposted that an array would cost this, before federal subsidies andstate rebates, which could amount to 50% in the US in some areas ) If it is like a swimming pool in Dallas, where a 25K investmentwouldonly add a few thousand to the selling price of the property if put onthemarket, OR, exclude many prospective buyers from consideration, dueto the maintenance/operational/repair/replacement costs that manywant to avoid........---- they might not want that overhead..... Like I have published, MY electril bill is about 1500 USD per yearfor a 3000 sq ft house south of Dallas, and I would be reluctant to shellout50K USD to have the roof coated, in ONE direction only , with a PVarray... SECONDLY,,,,, check with your homeowner insurance agent.... Sinceitcost much more to install/re-install a PV array than it does to re-shingle aroof....... will the insurance pay for that additional cost if awindstorm/hailstormrequires replacement... Keep in mind that to re-shingle the roof andfix the leaks (typically 10 yrs, regardless of 15 yr or 30yr shingles,costMUCH MUCH less than the PV installation), it is typical that the PVinstallationwould have to be removed, the roof stripped and re-shingled, and thePVinstallation done over again.......Perhaps the homeowner insurancewillcover it, but, since it may double or triple the cost, ... youbetter check...In Texas, this is a most probable thing to happen.... In Europe orthe UK or Maine, maybe not so likely... Just consider it...

May 18, 2011 24 Replies

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trader4 15 years ago

Being a commie anarchist, how would you know anything about capitalism? When people figure out what they are willing to pay for something, one of the first things they look at is what income stream they will get from it. If you have a PV array and you can tell them they won't have an electric bill and that as of right now, they will also be getting a couple thousand dollars a year in income on top of it, I'd say that does indeed factor into what they are willing to pay for a property.

It's basic business analysis 101.

While curb appeal is important, it clearly does not mean that people don't consider many other factors, which could easily outway what the house looks like from the outside.

Commies aren't supposed to make money.

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The Daring Dufas 15 years ago

One of my aunts, a high school physics teacher, built a Heathkit stereo amp kit back in the 1960's and had no problem with it. Heck, there was a time you could order a complete house kit from Sears so you could build your own home. ^_^

TDD

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JIMMIE 15 years ago

Also don't forget that many states that have promised rebates have defaulted on them. That would be a hell of a shock to my budget if I had installed a system and counted on that money being there. I ve had my roof replace twice in 20 years due to storms, First time was a tornado and recently hail damage. Also over the years that have been other hail storms that didnt damage the roof but probably would have damaged the photo cells. I had actually planned on installing a system at one time so I checked what it did to the value of my home. The effect was pretty much neutral basically depending on how the buyer saw it.

Jimmie

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JIMMIE 15 years ago

Having to cut back shading can be a major issue. Several years ago a test was done in North Fl I think near Jacksonville. Trees were removed or pruned to allow the sun to get to solar panels mounted on the roof. Net results were higher energy cost caused by the loss of shade. Planting trees sounds like it may be more benificial than installing solar arrays when used in areas where solar arrays would operate most effectively. This doesnt surprise me since using solar energy to directly heat something has always proven to be morre efficent than using it to generate electricity via photovoltaics. Now the question becomes more complex than just whether or not to install photo-voltaic but whether to spend my money on super insulating my home, adding solar water heaters, planting trees or maybe adding reflective shingles on the south facing side of my house. How do I figure out what is the best way to go?

Jimmie

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