Comments on: Lowering The Resilient Soft Costs Of Solar

By: Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 04:08:00 +0000

Those third partys probably know best how to navigate the bureaucratic obstacles. But they still represent a significant part of their costs. At least here in PG&E territory, a user (residential or commercial) must be paying higher tier rates in order to reap savings from 3rd party solar. I still think they would get a better deal, purchasing their own system, but those lacking the capital and the confidence to proceed may have no other choice. Cut the soft costs for the third party providers and they would be able to offer better deals than they can today.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 03:51:00 +0000

I’m not saying the 3rd party option is the best way to go. But in some states, someone will install panels on your roof and sell you the electric at less per kWh than you pay now, with no money down. That a good shock. IMHO, I think permitting and HOA blocking plays a bigger rule.

By: Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 02:31:00 +0000

I suspect one major contributor to acquisition costs is sticker-shock. Cut down on PII and other costs, and the prospective customer will be less likely to have second thoughts due to price. Reducing prices in one area, ought to lead to knockon improvements in other areas.

By: Others

Others — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 23:03:00 +0000

Just like PV Panels are coming with inbuilt micro invertor, if it can also come with mounting devices which makes installation easier, then many individuals with little experience may install it themselves.

However in many cities, the local governments don’t give permits to install PV Panels. Still many believe that Global Warming in Hoax and is tied to Big Oil & Coal.

By: JamesWimberley

JamesWimberley — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 22:51:00 +0000

As I see it, the German secret was laying down, in a federal law, two principles: the homewowner has the right to instal solar panels on her property, and the right to sell the output to the grid. The details are up for regulation. But neither neighbours nor the town hall nor the utility have a veto.
BTW, German suburbs are prosperous too, and have high standards of neighbourly fussiness.

By: Shiggity

Shiggity — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 21:04:00 +0000

From a human geography perspective, the US has soft cost issues the Germans simply don’t. Dealing with largely populated upper middle class suburbs is where the soft costs start exploding. The large US cities have ‘super-suburbs’. These are places with per capita incomes in excess of 50-60k and 80k+ populations. Trying to install a new mailbox and re-paving your driveway takes a handful of permits.

I’m not saying this is a good thing, but when you have that many well funded people, everyone’s legal opinion tends to get heard.