I got 2 quotes yesterday; one for 6kW PV and the other for a Velux domestic hot water system - not sure of the quality of the quotes since they did it over the phone with Google maps, but whatever-it's a start.
I know there was a thread lately about solar thermal being dead, but that kind of assumed a heat pump water heater, which I don't think will work out for me. Would using solar for hot water still be practical in the northeast for a southeast facing roof?
The numbers I'm sure are flakey, but they claim $2,500 after incentives and tax breaks for the hot water, and $7,200 for the PV. If the numbers are not that crazy off, is this tipping in the direction of PV?
For PV, I'd probably have to put in a electric water heater, since I don't use that much electricity (I'd prefer to cover the roof just for looks), and I'm trying to displace oil The Velux system comes with a tank that has an electric element.
It's seems crazy not to take advantage of the incentives, especially since I'm paying for them for everybody else through my electric bills and taxes, and who knows how long they'll be around.
Maybe thermal now and pv later
Wadya think?
I know there was a thread lately about solar thermal being dead, but that kind of assumed a heat pump water heater, which I don't think will work out for me. Would using solar for hot water still be practical in the northeast for a southeast facing roof?
The numbers I'm sure are flakey, but they claim $2,500 after incentives and tax breaks for the hot water, and $7,200 for the PV. If the numbers are not that crazy off, is this tipping in the direction of PV?
For PV, I'd probably have to put in a electric water heater, since I don't use that much electricity (I'd prefer to cover the roof just for looks), and I'm trying to displace oil The Velux system comes with a tank that has an electric element.
It's seems crazy not to take advantage of the incentives, especially since I'm paying for them for everybody else through my electric bills and taxes, and who knows how long they'll be around.
Maybe thermal now and pv later
Wadya think?