Comments on: Really: Solar Is Actually Cheaper than PG&E

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Susan- yes, you deduct the interest, but you don’t credit it. It seems to me that you’re saying the interest is, in net terms, free, which it’s definitely not. Common mistake.

By: SunRun Nominated for Another Solar Innovation Award – For Psychology – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:16:34 +0000

[...] below grid parity for consumers in some states through leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Solar is cheaper because the cost can be spread out over a number of years, and solar panels, divided by the years [...]

By: B Portables

B Portables — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:53:24 +0000

You can also find very simple solar water heater that are portable, which you can use anywhere as long as it is sunny outside. Portable water heater that is using sun's free energy can be a simple black-painted bag filled with water or more complex with the solar panel and the tank. Simple solution, free energy, easy to store and carry.

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:24:26 +0000

That is really great, George. You are saving yourself a tremendous amount of money in the long run. If only more people would get a solar estimate! Solar estimates ARE free. It is so nuts that so many people simply do not know just how beneficial to their OWN bottom line solar is, specially in states with any sun, and high electricity prices – over 12 cents a kwh.

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:24:00 +0000

By: George Parrott

George Parrott — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:56:31 +0000

In October of 2009, we added another 1.4 kW to our roof system via an additional 7 panels and second inverter. Though our initial 3.7kW system zeroed out our annual actual use cost for electricity from P G & E, I wanted to be ready for going to electric and plug-in electric hybrid cars…and to take advantage of the full 30% Federal Tax Credit for 2009 onwards AND the California passed requirement that utilities PAY BACK IN CASH for excess production from home-based systems. I anticipate that our additional 1.4 kW will produce around a $300 or so annual payback for the first year, before the electric cars arrive, and after the vehicle transition our gasoline bills will drop about $100/month with that new vehicle drive systems. With the addition of the second inverter, both systems are tied together and now upload output records 4X per hour to a inside home monitor AND to a corporate website that I can access from anywhere in the world. This monitoring even records the separate production from each of my systems, so I can compare the “per panel” output for the slight differences in how the two systems are configured on my roof.

By: George Parrott

George Parrott — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:56:00 +0000

By: Oil Company Fails to Uphold Warranties After Brief Foray Into 3rd World Solar Biz

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:25:46 +0000

[...] Bank is being stiffed by Shell Oil for a measly few hundred thousand dollars to repair its shoddy solar panels left dangling in the developing world with no aftermarket [...]

By: Oil Company Fails to Uphold Warranties After Brief Foray Into Solar Biz : CleanTechnica

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:35:17 +0000

[...] Bank is being stiffed by Shell Oil for a measly few hundred thousand dollars to repair its shoddy solar panels left dangling in the developing world with no aftermarket servicing. [...]

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:31:08 +0000

JJ – re: “I see quotes for solar PV for typical houses in Mass upwards to $80K for the whole job, at that rate the loan interest would be many times the electric bill.”

Yes, it might be, in MA.

In CA where total quotes are lower (because our insolation is better), and our utility rate rise is 6.7%,then if you can get an interest rate of under 6.7% (AND because you get the interest back next year as a tax deduction on a second mortgage loan), it does cost less than PG&E over the 25 year loan life.

But each state is different. You should get a solar quote in your state.