True Cost of Solar Panels | DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY

The rising cost of utilities may have you considering whether it's time to go solar -- but are solar panels right for your home? Consumer reporter John Matarese fills us in on the questions you need to ask before going solar so you don't waste your money.

[drhnsd]

I’m in San Diego, and when I looked into solar, I couldn’t find any solar company that didn’t have a lot of negative comments online - mostly for poor warranty service - but also companies that want to own the panels they put on my roof.
I was ready to buy had I been able to find a company that sells the solar system 109% to the customer - and had good customer feedback after the sale. Couldn’t find even one.

[Nottoday]

Pay $200 to the solar panel company. To not pay $160 electric bill.

Makes sense……….

[curtswartz]

Solar is like anything else, if you educate yourself, you don't get scammed. When 8KW system is installed on my brand new roof, it will take 7 years at today's prices to pay off. Notice I said, TODAYS PRICES. We got a notice that electric is going up 10% by fall. The 7 years just went down a few months.

[scottjenks]

No one is talking about the additional cost to remove and replace the panels when the roof needs to be replaced do to age. 90% of people ditch the panels when the realize that they have to find a third party company (which don't exist ) to remove and replace the panels. The roofers won't touch them and the solar panel companies will only install new systems. That is the cold hard solar truth that no one want to talk about. Sorry.

[alexandermcafee]

We just went solar, no up front cost, the company will work with insurance and cover the deductible (we have a high deductible) if we need a new roof, warrantied for 25 years and if we ever need a new roof during that time they come out and remove the panels at no cost and put them back on. we have a heat pump so in the winter and peak summer we will save about $100 a month on the bill

[Edekje]

The lesson here is don't be a moron, don't get scammed, solar panels actually do in fact need to point towards the sun at least part of the time to work....

If you remember that fact, you're all set to make a good investment with PV on your roof.

[docbrown]

One of the companies I priced for Solar panels was $65, 000 for my home, It would take me 36 years to pay for that at the cost of what I pay for my light bill now.

[codecircle]

This isn't solar power's fault. Several thousands of people enjoy using it as their entire sole power source. However, when people do the financing plans, it often turns into trouble. Many installation companies have a hard time with good plans, and they push hard to get people to install them. If you're going to buy solar, pay for it all at once. Paying interest will kill you. Also make sure its contracted for repairs incase something fails and goes wrong.

[Lucky-sgwc]

Here's how it works, folks. You pay for a system that is connected to the grid. Then, during higher producing months the excess energy is put into the grid and sold to other customers. The electric company then issues you credits for the lower producing months, but only enough to barely cover your winter energy costs. All of that excess energy goes into the pockets of the energy company. You just financed their operation! On top of that if the power goes out you get to rely on batteries for power. It doesn't matter if the sun is shining since your system isn't likely standalone. They have total control and are making gains off of your investment! Long term power loss and you are in the same boat as your neighbors once those batteries are dead.

[lolitajones]

The thing that gets under my skin is that some people encourage me to get solar panels installed but when I ask those people (including my own sister) how much their electricity actually costs them per month, they are rather invasive. They will tell me that they receive a very low electric bill for example like $8, $12, $15 (whatever), but what they won't tell me is how much they pay to rent the panels. However, that is very important. For instance, if your bill is $8.00 but you are renting the panels for $250 per month - in actuality you are paying $258 a month for electricity - not $8!!! I get the impression that they won't disclose that rental amount because they feel foolish or ripped off but don't want to admit it.



Reply

[curtis]

Here is the problem, that guy didn't have to pay someone to get on his roof. Next the system in put in a spot that gets more sunlight then her house. Next, look at where she lives. City vs rural area. Someone who lives on outside the city is going to pay way less. Did i add in the fact nobody had to get on a roof?

[davidk]

I’m in north west England at 53degrees north. Prevailing winds are south westerly bringing clouds and rain for weeks at a time. Three bedroom semi detached house with hipped roof. Rear faces east, side faces south, front faces west. Solar panels with batteries quoted at £20, 000.
Even with energy costs rising, that’s about nine years worth of electricity. By which time the panels and batteries would have lost half their efficiency, we’d still have to top up from the grid, neighbours have pigeons nesting under theirs and future purchasers may be refused a mortgage.

[jeffthejinjer]

We were quoted $72, 000 years ago for panels (2010 i believe)
I know prices have come down, but even at $20, 000 you have to factor in the fact that the panels are only good for 15 years, then they need replaced for another 20, 000. You willl always have a payment its like owning a car..😢

[NischGTM]

Sourced on my own, I'm right at $1/watt cost for a 35kW system. That makes the ROI only at 7 years instead of 25+ if you go with a "solar company", vs self-sourced
.

[Edoe]

So a scam artist sold someone a solar rooftop in a region that underperforms and provided a payment plan with the promise of a return. Regulation needed?

[joerichard]

Man, those utility companies will go to great lengths to protect their monopolies, won't they? They make it sound so scary. Aaah the media. Quit making everything so dramatic.

[JPower]

So how much is the cost of staying utility company

[PiercesPerfectPieces]

They can start by reducing THEIR "carbon footprint 👣" first!!
(If you know you know) 🤨

[robertswick]

How much did Landon pay for his panels, nobody seems to talk about that?

[DeniSaputta]

Solar panel prices fall by 30% every year .But the prices shown by this company have not been Down for 10 years. It should now be 5000 USD per house