Never thought this would happen, but the economics of it finally just seemed to line up. Big federal subsidy, big state subsidy, big forced power company subsidy, combined with significantly lower cost per watt system pricing all finally added up to a good investment (for me, not the government, I figure I should cash in if I'm going to have to pay for this nonsense anyway as a tax payer).
3.5 year's to break even. Possible 9% compound annual rate of return on investment over 20 years plus inflation protection.
My state = Pennsylvania, and for what its worth, I don't think the subsidies that make it worth it, will last much longer with fiscal belt tightening on its way soon. No time like now to do it if you have the right roof (non-shaded, mostly south facing). I don't know what the forum rules are, but if you want more info PM me and I'd be glad to refer you to my installer - he tells me there is a $500 referral bonus to BOTH PEOPLE which is pretty substantial. I used the biggest and most reputable installer in the Northeast and these guys seem to be very professional.
At any rate, I've just gotten started in the process, signed the deal, but won't have it installed for probably 3 months (the paperwork is all very slow). My electricity production is guaranteed for 20 years, all equipment has a full warranty for 20 years, and it should cover 100% of my annual usage (this is ON-Grid, with true ANNUAL net-metering (everything I produce over a full year is subtracted from everything I use over a full year). They do complete online monitoring of the system, and I can check my system output whenever I want over the internet. Its a 7.56 kW system that is projected to produce 9,300 kW/hrs annually (I only used 8,400 kW/hrs last year).
If any of you are from Ohio, I happen to know that their deal is pretty much equally good if not better (my brother in Ohio is looking into it). They have an even higher state subsidy, although one other form of payback (srec's) over the longer term is not quite as good, they sort of balance out.
My house is probably going to look ridiculous (don't worry, I'll post pics), almost all roof space in the front will be covered with solar panels, even my attached garage roof.
At any rate, I'm pretty excited about this, always wanted to be energy independent. Not having to pay the man for heat or electricity is a beautiful thing!
3.5 year's to break even. Possible 9% compound annual rate of return on investment over 20 years plus inflation protection.
My state = Pennsylvania, and for what its worth, I don't think the subsidies that make it worth it, will last much longer with fiscal belt tightening on its way soon. No time like now to do it if you have the right roof (non-shaded, mostly south facing). I don't know what the forum rules are, but if you want more info PM me and I'd be glad to refer you to my installer - he tells me there is a $500 referral bonus to BOTH PEOPLE which is pretty substantial. I used the biggest and most reputable installer in the Northeast and these guys seem to be very professional.
At any rate, I've just gotten started in the process, signed the deal, but won't have it installed for probably 3 months (the paperwork is all very slow). My electricity production is guaranteed for 20 years, all equipment has a full warranty for 20 years, and it should cover 100% of my annual usage (this is ON-Grid, with true ANNUAL net-metering (everything I produce over a full year is subtracted from everything I use over a full year). They do complete online monitoring of the system, and I can check my system output whenever I want over the internet. Its a 7.56 kW system that is projected to produce 9,300 kW/hrs annually (I only used 8,400 kW/hrs last year).
If any of you are from Ohio, I happen to know that their deal is pretty much equally good if not better (my brother in Ohio is looking into it). They have an even higher state subsidy, although one other form of payback (srec's) over the longer term is not quite as good, they sort of balance out.
My house is probably going to look ridiculous (don't worry, I'll post pics), almost all roof space in the front will be covered with solar panels, even my attached garage roof.
At any rate, I'm pretty excited about this, always wanted to be energy independent. Not having to pay the man for heat or electricity is a beautiful thing!