I've been keeping track of how much solar energy my panels generate. They were installed about halfway through February 2019. My tracker had a little bit of an outage in Sept & Oct 2019. But here's what I've got so far. I have 20 panels and a tree that fills in halfway through April and shades about 2 panels worth in the mid-afternoon. The number of panels was chosen to match my usage and the estimates given by the installer have been pretty close to exact.

I chose to pay for the panels myself which means I don't pay RI Energy for electricity anymore. Based on what I used to pay for monthly electricity vs. what I paid to install the panels, my break even point is around 6.5 to 7 years. The panels have a 20 year warranty for the amount of energy that the installers estimated.

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plaverty9 t1_jaa620p wrote on February 27, 2023 at 11:31 PM

#2,079,178

Pretty cool. Thank you.

maybebullshitmaybe t1_jaaefqw wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:30 AM

#2,081,647

Agree with the other commenter. Thanks for sharing. So I obviously see the numbers but no regrets?

ydai t1_jaafsao wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:40 AM

#2,082,087

Do you need to do anything when it snows?

jt_tesla t1_jaagps6 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:46 AM

#2,082,390

Replying to ydai (#2,082,087)

Just let the snow come and melt away. Properly installed, these can handle the weight of snow.

jt_tesla t1_jaagtuf wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:47 AM

#2,082,421

7-10 year return on investment is the average. That’s why it pays to shop around and get the initial cost down.

ydai t1_jaagwv7 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:48 AM

#2,082,447

Replying to jt_tesla (#2,082,390)

That's better than I thought. Thanks.

BrendanBSharp t1_jaak7dj wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:12 AM

#2,083,457

Replying to ydai (#2,082,087)

Just get out of the way. When snow slides off the panels, you’ll either hear it or feel it. Hopefully you’ll only hear it.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jaakmbb wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:15 AM

#2,083,547

Replying to maybebullshitmaybe (#2,081,647)

None whatsoever. I'd do it all over again.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jaakqva wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:16 AM

#2,083,581

Replying to ydai (#2,082,087)

Nope. They're angled and dark, so the sun will melt the snow enough to where it slides off. When there's a lot of snow and slides off all at the same time, it's a pretty big rumble.

adebium t1_jaasemg wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:12 AM

#2,085,827

Who installed the panels for you?

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jaashhs wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:13 AM

#2,085,856

Replying to adebium (#2,085,827)

Newport Solar.

maybebullshitmaybe t1_jaaue4y wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:27 AM

#2,086,398

Replying to SweatyCockroach8212 (#2,083,547)

Cool right on. Just had to ask. Ur transparency is gold and will help others undoubtedly. Ty

edthesmokebeard t1_jaay8f8 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:56 AM

#2,087,570

Yep, you're prepaying your electric bill for the next 7 years, then the rest is gravy.

Who lives in the same place for 7+ years?

Nacman t1_jaazxwo wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:09 AM

#2,088,069

Replying to SweatyCockroach8212 (#2,085,856)

How did you like them? I'm thinking about getting panels but I'm a little apprehensive about picking a vendor. It's tough to know who is trustworthy and such.

nathanaz t1_jab1nud wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:22 AM

#2,088,533

Do you have a battery backup for power outages? If so, how big and how much?

Thanks for sharing this info!

Hanamii- t1_jab366u wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:34 AM

#2,088,971

Replying to edthesmokebeard (#2,087,570)

A lot of people lol

SaltyNewEnglandCop t1_jab3kpe wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:38 AM

#2,089,083

If I was a mortgage originator, I’d package a solar panel deal into the mortgage to get them out there more.

Even-Vegetable-1700 t1_jab45i2 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:43 AM

#2,089,240

Replying to Nacman (#2,088,069)

Do yourself a favor and be sure to talk to Dexter at Rooftop Power. Compare them to everyone else. You’ll be glad you did.

MommaGuy t1_jab7j2f wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:11 AM

#2,090,302

Replying to edthesmokebeard (#2,087,570)

I’ve been in my house for 30 yrs.

elwoodblues54 t1_jab7lin wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:12 AM

#2,090,326

Does anyone have reviews on boundless energy? Im being courted by them.

leonpinneaple t1_jab9019 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:24 AM

#2,090,744

That is very cool. I hear with baseboard electric so I’d need about three times that output to make it work for me. Bummer.

Sweet-Ham t1_jabjuaf wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:15 AM

#2,093,688

Replying to Even-Vegetable-1700 (#2,089,240)

I can second this!

The2ndNoel t1_jabwork wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:04 AM

#2,096,575

Replying to ydai (#2,082,087)

Occasionally a big storm or a lot of ice causes buildup. We have a specialized rubber squeegee on a very long pole to remove or loosen any stuck ice. Otherwise it melts right off.

plaverty9 t1_jacf3y2 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 12:57 PM

#2,101,493

Replying to Nacman (#2,088,069)

This is one reason to go with a local vendor and get recommendations.

flyingWeez t1_jacg9u7 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:08 PM

#2,101,888

Replying to Even-Vegetable-1700 (#2,089,240)

In my experience they were extremely overpriced and tried to upsell me on a system nearly twice the size I needed under the guise of “more profit’” from the renewable energy growth plan

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jacmix5 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:01 PM

#2,103,944

Replying to edthesmokebeard (#2,087,570)

Sure, that can be taken into consideration. But the same can be said for any home renovation. If you redo your kitchen and that costs $20k, will you be there long enough to pay that off? Maybe, maybe not, but it also helps with resale value, just like solar panels. If/when I sell my house, part of the selling points is "free electricity!", which should add to the value, and theoretically, add to what I can charge for it.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jacmq4f wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:02 PM

#2,103,997

Replying to Nacman (#2,088,069)

LOVED the team at Newport Solar. The owner, Doug, is an expert in the field and is someone who regularly represents the industry at the Statehouse, testifying about the science and benefits. He's no fly by night or just out to make a quick buck. Highly recommended.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jacn67l wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:06 PM

#2,104,136

Replying to nathanaz (#2,088,533)

I do not. At the time I looked (a few years ago), I think it was going to cost about $35,000 which I just couldn't justify for the very few outages that I have. My electricity usage is already net-zero, so the only extra benefit of batteries to me is to stay up when the grid isn't working. For me, the outages are too infrequent and not for very long, so I didn't see the value in a battery backup system.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jacnceg wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:07 PM

#2,104,178

Replying to SaltyNewEnglandCop (#2,089,083)

Or even as a HELOC/second mortgage. That could be a smart partnership for a local bank and a solar company to send out as marketing. Offer a low interest rate loan to people to get solar panels.

nathanaz t1_jacobha wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:15 PM

#2,104,495

Replying to SweatyCockroach8212 (#2,104,136)

Makes sense…. That’s a lot of cash for something you wouldn’t use often.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jacomwm wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:17 PM

#2,104,592

Replying to nathanaz (#2,104,495)

However, I do believe battery storage is just one big engineering discovery away from breaking through and the costs dropping dramatically. Once that happens, I'd definitely consider battery backup.

fatkidwitskillz t1_jact6sq wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:50 PM

#2,106,022

What is your typical power utilization each month?

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jactide wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:52 PM

#2,106,133

Replying to fatkidwitskillz (#2,106,022)

It really varies, largely due to summer air conditioning, but 500-550 is a pretty good number to use for a monthly average.

topher352 t1_jaczspc wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:35 PM

#2,108,093

Great information and stats. Thank you for sharing!

Even-Vegetable-1700 t1_jad28ow wrote on February 28, 2023 at 3:51 PM

#2,108,912

Replying to flyingWeez (#2,101,888)

Sorry to hear that. That wasn’t my experience. Good luck!

overthehillhat t1_jadiq1m wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:37 PM

#2,114,160

Replying to flyingWeez (#2,101,888)

There is a better solar deal

with the regrowth plan

at any of the installers in RI

gud_morning_dave t1_jadk1cm wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:45 PM

#2,114,615

Replying to SweatyCockroach8212 (#2,104,178)

There are already low interest loans for solar, I think as a result of the green energy law passed last summer. We're getting solar soon and the loan is under 3% interest.

gud_morning_dave t1_jadkexg wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:48 PM

#2,114,742

Replying to flyingWeez (#2,101,888)

We're getting solar and the power company made our installer downsize the system twice before approving it. My understanding is they won't approve a system that produces more than your historical electricity usage.

KemperTemper1 t1_jadlu36 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:56 PM

#2,115,185

I wouldn’t buy a house with solar panels. Many people will not. Keep that in mind.

flyingWeez t1_jadmq7h wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:02 PM

#2,115,452

Replying to gud_morning_dave (#2,114,742)

We had a little bit of leeway because we just moved into the home and had an EV and used more electricity than the prior owners and I think the sales guy just smelled blood in the water and went for it lol

HairyEyeballz t1_jadn0bw wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:04 PM

#2,115,529

Replying to SweatyCockroach8212 (#2,106,133)

What's your square footage and how many tech-addicted humans are living with you, if you don't mind me asking?

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jadpyde wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:23 PM

#2,116,486

Replying to KemperTemper1 (#2,115,185)

Keep it in mind and do what with that information? I mean, many people won't buy a raised ranch. Many people won't buy a 1 bathroom house.

SweatyCockroach8212 OP t1_jadq44a wrote on February 28, 2023 at 6:24 PM

#2,116,531

Replying to HairyEyeballz (#2,115,529)

1000 and 1.5, including myself. So yeah, my electricity usage is kept pretty minimal.

tubulard t1_jaei7k2 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:22 PM

#2,126,152

Replying to gud_morning_dave (#2,114,615)

What bank is offering 3% interest?

plaverty9 t1_jaels8m wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:45 PM

#2,127,571

Replying to gud_morning_dave (#2,114,742)

125% of your historic use is/was the rule.

gud_morning_dave t1_jaerequ wrote on February 28, 2023 at 10:22 PM

#2,129,935

Replying to tubulard (#2,126,152)

We got it through United Better Homes.

dasuberdog11 t1_jaet8z9 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 10:35 PM

#2,130,698

We put panels on our home a little over 3 years ago. The 12 year loan monthly price was about the same as our average monthly electric payment at the time. So basically broke even to start and saving more as electricity prices go up.