Solar

Submitted by jfenim t3_10qd6el in RhodeIsland

Considering solar. Anyone know what options there are for leasing or buying and also any recommendations for companies to contact? I have a lot of roof space and gets a lot of sun and wouldn't mind lowering my electric bill or making it non existent. TIA

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Ryland42 t1_j6piiuy wrote

I have an 8kw system with backup installed. ROI is around 6 years. I used SolPower out of Charlestown. My electric bill has been zero since September and I have enough credit built up that it should stay at zero until the nicer weather is back.

Make sure your roof is less than ~12 years old or have it reshingled.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_j6pf6kq wrote

Several folks have asked this in the last few months. Search the /r. And it’s totally worth it! Haven’t had an elex bill since 2016.

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March_Latter t1_j6pc47d wrote

First off, why? Do you own an electric car? If not your bill should be less than $200 a month making solar pointless. Also why do you feel you need to hire a company? Some basic research on your own and you can contract out the job yourself for a massive savings.

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jfenim OP t1_j6pdf24 wrote

Is an electric car the only reason that an electric bill would be over $200? I have central air and an inground pool with a heat pump to heat it. As well as electric hot water. And I'd rather have someone who is knowledgeable about this matter as well as rebates. Do you have a contractor suggestion?

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March_Latter t1_j6phebr wrote

I have AC, my bill never goes over $130 a month. I even try to heat with the mini splits, but my bill never seems to go up.

So lets talk about your knowledgeable solar guy. Rebates and paperwork to file them are easily found online. Besides his sales pitch what else does he know? Is he a roofer? Doubtful. Is he an electrical engineer. Doubtful. Has he spent any time besides company training on solar energy. Doubtful. Does he have a product you could buy online for a third the cost and have installed yourself? Yes he does. If you hire an actual roofer and electrician they are going to do some wild things for you. Discuss your roof at length and its issues. The electrician is probably going to hide those conduits as he wants the job to look professional.

The point is, if a guy showed up and said he he wanted to sell you a windmill he doesn't build and charge you three times the cost for it to look like hell would you hire him?

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jfenim OP t1_j6pjagn wrote

Which is why I'm here asking for suggestions from people who have worked with a solar company and had a good experience. Not sure where you're trying to go with this, if you can't answer my question, why are you here?

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March_Latter t1_j6pjmiu wrote

Screw it. Hire the most expensive guy you can and make sure he covers every roof you have with solar panels. Good luck.

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