New house + solar panel

[irvinehomeowner]

It's probably the 76 degree... we don't go below 78.

I also think our area is generally cooler so that may be a factor. Not sure, but do you have 2 AC units? That might also be a culprit.

I actually think the investment in an attic fan might pan out better at reducing your elec usage than solar.

And again, we are talking summer usage here... once it cools down and we are at winter pricing, you'll see your bill go into the 2-digit range.

Just my opnion, but you should wait it out and see what happens in the next 6-9 months, you're already in, didn't get it from the builder so there is no need to rush... plus Edison might fix your bill.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

This is our third July with solar.

AC set to 75 degrees 24 hours a day

Our bill was $1.77 for distribution.
Net generation credit that will net out still slightly positive through year end

My power consumption is costing me 10 cents a KwH

Of course you already paid 25 cents/kWh for the next decade whether I use them or even produce them

So does this mean you bought or leased?

What was your bill prior to solar? Who did you use?

Any pro tips? Cons?

 

[eyephone]

I meant tough to beat.

Out of curiosity how much are builders charging for solar panels and what are the specs?

I purchased the Solar City 14 panel system from Brookfield Homes which is 3.43 KW DC (annual production of 5700 KWh) for $5,399. That averages 475kW per month.  My current average usage is 357 kW per month and I spend ~$80/month.  Granted the new house is bigger and will likely use more energy, but it seemed to make sense that I could save $100/month and it would pay off in no time.  Now I wonder if I missed something?

You got a good deal because you purchased through the builder? Is that net of the 30% fed tax credit?

 

[Ready2Downsize]

You might be using more energy to cool depending on which way your house faces and the rooms/windows that get afternoon sun and whether you have high ceilings and the amount of insulation.

My house is a good 10 degrees cooler in summer without ac than the houses across the street from me simply because I have extra insulation and have limited rooms receiving afternoon sun.

 

[ZeroLot]

I also think our area is generally cooler so that may be a factor. Not sure, but do you have 2 AC units? That might also be a culprit.

We have one AC unit but we have the energy saving option of only cooling the upstairs or downstairs only.  Basically the AC can work at just half load to help save energy costs. 

Which makes all of this ghost energy use even more bizarre. 

And yes I also purchased the extra insulation option.  I swear something is wrong with my meter ... Half the time it says "err 0". I'm no Edison electrician but I think that means error.

 

[ZeroLot]

I meant tough to beat.

Out of curiosity how much are builders charging for solar panels and what are the specs?

I purchased the Solar City 14 panel system from Brookfield Homes which is 3.43 KW DC (annual production of 5700 KWh) for $5,399. That averages 475kW per month.  My current average usage is 357 kW per month and I spend ~$80/month.  Granted the new house is bigger and will likely use more energy, but it seemed to make sense that I could save $100/month and it would pay off in no time.  Now I wonder if I missed something?

You got a good deal because you purchased through the builder? Is that net of the 30% fed tax credit?

$5399 is a great deal for 14 panels.

Sunpower panels will cost me 18k for 18 panels and that's AFTER the 30% federal tax rebate and the $1500 California solar rebate.

 

[eyephone]

I also think our area is generally cooler so that may be a factor. Not sure, but do you have 2 AC units? That might also be a culprit.

We have one AC unit but we have the energy saving option of only cooling the upstairs or downstairs only.  Basically the AC can work at just half load to help save energy costs. 

Which makes all of this ghost energy use even more bizarre. 

And yes I also purchased the extra insulation option.  I swear something is wrong with my meter ... Half the time it says "err 0". I'm no Edison electrician but I think that means error.

Sounds like it's the meter. (Take pictures and videos for your records) 

 

[qwerty]

Yeah I think you need to get creative with your meter to ensure SCE has to come out and fix it

Sometimes accidents happen

 

[nosuchreality]

Yes location, location, location.

West of the 5 really shouldn't need it if you can open windows and get cross breeze

For all the new builds frankly I think they all should have solar

This is our third July with solar.

AC set to 75 degrees 24 hours a day

Our bill was $1.77 for distribution.
Net generation credit that will net out still slightly positive through year end

My power consumption is costing me 10 cents a KwH

Of course you already paid 25 cents/kWh for the next decade whether I use them or even produce them

So does this mean you bought or leased?

What was your bill prior to solar? Who did you use?

Any pro tips? Cons?

 

[irvinehomeowner]

@ZL:

To understand your vetting process, how do you choose which vendors to get quotes from?

LA Solar Group has over 30 reviews and 5 stars, have you called them?

And in the paper, I always see these Semper Solaris ads, a vet owned (qwerchete!) outfit that uses American parts.

I agree with NSR, that new builders should include solar as standard but for homeowners looking to install solar, they should consider costs vs savings over time in a buy position... as a lease doesn't seem to have enough benefits.

 

[bones]

Tubfrbky

 

[eyephone]

Great advice: location , location, location (something we didn't know already - yawns)

Yes location, location, location.

West of the 5 really shouldn't need it if you can open windows and get cross breeze

For all the new builds frankly I think they all should have solar

This is our third July with solar.

AC set to 75 degrees 24 hours a day

Our bill was $1.77 for distribution.
Net generation credit that will net out still slightly positive through year end

My power consumption is costing me 10 cents a KwH

Of course you already paid 25 cents/kWh for the next decade whether I use them or even produce them

So does this mean you bought or leased?

What was your bill prior to solar? Who did you use?

Any pro tips? Cons?

 

[nosuchreality]

It is that simple. Everything else is just semantics.  You either live where you are running your AC pretty much around the clock starting in May, row February this year, or you don't.

It's like the discussion about having a car. Your need one or you don't.  If you need one then it's many variables to get what's right for you.  How long are planning on living there. How much capital do you have on had.  Many major changes planned in your life in the near future (an addition of any kind, an electric car purchase, a change in work status or work from home etc). How many stories, have you already upgraded insulation, the HVAC, could you do an AC econmizer instead, or a whole house fan

And on and on and on

But frankly, west of the 5 you have many choices that will get the job done. East of the 5 you're running the AC.

Which is the better choice, installing a multizone HE AC or adding solar panels to just get your top tier usage down?

 

[bones]

[qasdf

 

[ZeroLot]

@ZL:

To understand your vetting process, how do you choose which vendors to get quotes from?

LA Solar Group has over 30 reviews and 5 stars, have you called them?

And in the paper, I always see these Semper Solaris ads, a vet owned (qwerchete!) outfit that uses American parts.

I agree with NSR, that new builders should include solar as standard but for homeowners looking to install solar, they should consider costs vs savings over time in a buy position... as a lease doesn't seem to have enough benefits.

My vetting process is very simple this time.  The majority of solar panel installers won't install on a 39 degree angle roof. 

So those of you with the nice less pitched roof tops can have many vendors to choose from.  While I may only have a few.

I won't know until this week of Solar City will be willing to install on my roof.  Right now I'm just in the vetting process of lease vs purchase.

If I want purchase I will have a bit more but they will also increase the price to install due to the pitch of my roof.  With a price increase it may negate the entire point of getting solar in the first place.

While if I choose to lease, Solar City is my ONLY option and that may not even work out.

So that is my current vetting process.  I'm not really vetting major vendors ... Just one local company that has experience with steep roof tops and has lease programs.  If I choose to purchase I will then vet more.

 

[ZeroLot]

Sounds like it's the meter. (Take pictures and videos for your records) 

Good idea.  I'll do that tomorrow.

Lol. I like how the nighthawk has evolved into a culprit.

Haha. I know. Just out of curiosity, I looked it up. Running the nighthawk 365/24/7 is about $10 of annual electricity. Welp, guess it's not that.

So much for the scape goat ....

 

[Irvineshopper]

I meant tough to beat.

Out of curiosity how much are builders charging for solar panels and what are the specs?

I purchased the Solar City 14 panel system from Brookfield Homes which is 3.43 KW DC (annual production of 5700 KWh) for $5,399. That averages 475kW per month.  My current average usage is 357 kW per month and I spend ~$80/month.  Granted the new house is bigger and will likely use more energy, but it seemed to make sense that I could save $100/month and it would pay off in no time.  Now I wonder if I missed something?

You got a good deal because you purchased through the builder? Is that net of the 30% fed tax credit?

I've noticed that there are some good deals through the builder.  It wasn't that way before with another purchase with CalPac.  There is no tax credit.  SolarCity keeps it.  I wouldn't be able to use it anyways based on tax situation

 

[SubSolar]

Anyone get any quotes from LA Solar Group? Along with Sullivan, they seem to have the best reviews.

 

[O Hills]

How long is it taking to get the panels up and running?

 

[eyephone]

I noticed solar companies are giving builders a good price for buyers. For example, I came across this link from KBH. (Look below of web page for prices they offer buyers)
http://m.kbhome.com/new-homes-orange-county/solar