solar panels
We recently had a 16 panel 2.74 kWh solar electric system installed on our south facing roof.
According to our pre-installation assessment, it's supposed to generate an average of about 40% of our power.
The system has been running since March 6, and I can't wait to see how it affects our electric bills!
The rack and panel installation took all day:
We're planning to add 1-2 more panels to the empty space on the upper right hand side of the roof for solar hot water. That would likely generate about 50% of our hot water.
We chose the Andalay Sytem from California based Akeena Solar because the panels sit closer to the roof and are more attractive than most other systems.
Once the panels were installed, the electricians installed an inverter and DC/AC disconnects, and connected the system our existing electrical panel.
This is the Sunny Boy solar inverter box, which is in our basement, that's me ceremoniously turning on the system ;)
The inverter box toggles through system info telling us how much CO2 we've saved, how much power we've generated, and lots of other geeky green info.
Here's a shot of the AC disconnect (left), which as you can see, is outside next to our electric meter (fascinating!!!)....
Now, the part you really care about...
The cost of the installed system was $21,400. We will receive a federal tax credit of $3,600 and a state rebate of about $9,300, making our out of pocket expense about $8,500.
Since we live in the second most expensive electric market in the country, I call it money well spent!
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5 comments:
Thank you so much for this very informative post! The details of your solar panel installation, rebates, cost and uses answered some questions I've been tossing back and forth in my mind lately. Your post has prompted me to action! I will be looking into the company you used and others (plus, I need to check our state's rebate program and the like). What a wonderful investment.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your information.
Warmly,
Tracey
xo
P.S. I'm looking forward to learning your future savings!
Good for you for making this smart investment, Sage! I wish more people would. How cool that you get such nice rebates for them.
I am jealous! TOO COOL! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Thanks for sharing! When my dh gets out of the military I so want solar panels!
Thank you for posting the costs and the ture cost out of pocket... our biggest concern is the cost of PROPANE!
I don't know what state you're in to have those basic utility rates -our electric bills are higher here & we have a co-op elec.company. But then we're not all that careful about use - we run a business out of the home and I have to use a heater in the horse trough in winter ($40. a mo.) We're in So. Colorado and I think the available rebates from the state are 1/3 of what you got!
Anyway, thanks for sharing so much about these mysterious panels and how it all works.
The one question that pops up is how long will it take to recoup the investment?
Love your blogsite!
~Illoura
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