Marques Brownlee Isn't Telling You the Truth About Buying Solar, So I Have To

Solar panel review. Marques Brownlee Isn't Telling You the Truth About Solar Panels, So I Have To, DIY and car review Scotty Kilmer. Should I buy solar panels for my house? Buying solar panels for my roof. The truth about solar panels and if they're worth it. Solar panels explained. Car advice. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 55 years.

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This is the people's automotive channel! The most honest and funniest car channel on YouTube. Never any sponsored content, just the truth about everything! Learn how to fix your car and how it works. Get a chance to show off your own car on Sundays. Or show off your own car mod on Wednesdays. Tool giveaways every Monday to help you with your own car projects. We have a new video every day! I've been an auto mechanic for the past 50 years and I'm here to share my knowledge with you.

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⬇️ Things used in this video:
1. Common Sense


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[wataboutya]

My neighbor got solar panels on his roof-a year or so back . He was crowing about how inexpensive the whole thing was because of the government rebate. This year he had to get his shingle roof replaced because of leaks. He ended up having to pay a separate contractor almost seven thousand dollars to remove and then reinstall the panels after the shingle was replaced. All total he paid $26, 000 for the roof replacement plus $6, 800 for the panels. What a deal!

[Xlmk]

I like that Scotty doesn't tell us Solar BAD, but rather provides us with the possible issues you need to look into before getting them and what to do to prepare, so you would maximize your returns.

[jeffreykropp]

Acquired my first solar panel about 25 years ago. Have added more over the years, learning as I went. One of the main reasons I like solar is for when there is a power outage. My batteries keep fridge, water pump, and furnace running.

[browngreen]

I've had an offgrid solar electric home since 1988. My 12 volt system (and needs) are small. I installed it myself and added to it over time. Total cost a few thousand dollars. Solar panel cost has come down, but battery prices have gone up. My last set of 4 golf cart batteries lasted 19 years. I haven't had an electric bill since 1988. My panels are NOT on the roof.

[dk]

I worked for a painting contractor who worked as a 'green energy installation contractor' for a while. He explained to me that he really wanted to believe that it was the right thing for the environment but after years of nearly endless lawsuits and companies that went bankrupt to avoid warranty reimbursement he realized it was simply a whole industry wrought with scams and dishonesty. And that's how he wound up a painting contractor.

[Sugurain]

I'm a professional solar installer here in Brazil, and I must say I didn't think it would cause so much damage to asphalt shingles.
Here in Brazil 85% of houses use ceramic shingles, and the gaps between shingles allow the anchor points to be installed easily, it's also way easier to locate the wood beams.
The other 15% use metal roofs, and those use different anchor mechanism, but still, much much easier to make a perfect water seal on the anchor points than that with asphalt shingles.
Asphalt shingles are basically nonexistent here, it's waaay too expensive, like 8X more expensive than ceramic, and like 10X more expensive than metallic for the entire roof.

[damonhill]

One thing your research didnt reveal is the life of the inverter. Ours lasted about 7 years, then the electrolytic capacitors dried out and the inverter circuit board blew up! It was a goner, really toasted. Being an electronics engineering technician, I installed a replacement inverter myself. The system still works, but we do only get about 2500watts max on a summer day. It's original output was 4000watts grid-tie.

[mwelch]

I bought my PV system in 2018 for $21k. I immediately got $7k back in tax credits, then have conservatively saved $8, 300 in electricity bills and made $7, 043.09 in selling electricity back to the grid. I have had no issues.

[lamarredwards]

We have been fully solar for about 5 years. Our panels are not on our roof, but rather are in a stand alone almost ground level installation.
We had to have an inverter replaced, covered fully under warranty.
We sell the extra power we produce during the day to the power company, paid at a per unit price, in credits. At night, power is provided by the power company to us, at half the rate they pay to buy power from us. Credits can carry over.
Living in the Az. desert, summer requires a lot of air conditioning, pre solar, up to $400.00 per month. Now, in the hottest 3 months, we pay about $40.00 per month.
The rest of the year, our electricity bill is $17.00 per mo., different taxes and fees that account for the barest minimum you can be charged.
To us, at this point, solar has performed as we were told it would, and we are pleased with it.

[jamesgraham]

Let us take the time to commend Scotty on his video editing. I can learn so much from watching how engaging these videos are.

[MrSepptorr]

I had solar panels installed 5 years ago on a 3 day old new roof. They used a hammer to locate the beams to screw into. This destroyed the shingles! I was quite upset and made them pay for the replacement of those shingles. I live in Texas with lots of sun and over those years have averaged about 50% power savings. The summer is largest bills and winter/spring months they pay me ($5 to $10 month). The AC and Pool use lots of electricity during the summer. I would recommend watching them install the solar panels and walking the roof during this time. If you plan on getting a new roof have the roofers and solar installers work together!

[kathym]

Scotty, How clever of you to use your platform for such a purpose as to education us on solar panels. You're the man!!

[josephoberlander]

The best way to avoid most of these issues is to install the solar on a deck or back yard. But this does take up a lot of your area. So good for semi-rural areas, less so for cities. Where I live, the "homes" don't even have mroe than 5-8ft of back yard anyways, they are packed in so tight.
EDIT - and yes, learn to DIY and hire an electrician. It's really simple when the panels are on simple supports sitting on a cement pad in the back yard. You also get to keep 100% of the rebate.
Fun fact: DIY solar installs using old panels that are considered "bad" because they produce only 70% or so or their rated power due to age are often available for next to nothing. Again, check with a pro to be sure, but 10K for a DIY install with older panels is quite possible. Again, provided you have the land. :)

[curtvaughan]

We had solar panels installed about two years ago. The main issue we've had is that, as you mention, leaks have occurred on the roof around the attachment points securing the panels to the roof. I'm going to have to contact my home insurance folks about how to deal with the issue. The roof was new when the panels were installed, so the issue is with the panel installation by the solar folks.

[georgecothran]

On another note, since I live off grid, I only use a small chest freezer, and a small refridgerator, along with LED lights of which I only need 2 at any one time, and I also run my water pump occasionally. I paid around $4k for my system, and taught myself how to install it just before I retired. in 2016

[FrankBrocato]

Thanks Scotty for the concise information, I am a retired automotive technician and enjoy your videos on auto repair and when asked by family or friends about car repair I refer them to your videos. This video is clear that your logic and mechanical understanding goes far beyond automobiles, something a person with common sense can understand.

[Sunshrine]

Honestly, we need more people like you who jus tell you everything in a concise and understandable manner. This is how progress is made!

[Dakiraun]

This is great - it is neither for or against solar - just an honest presentation of all the facts to consider, which is exactly what people need to make a proper, informed decision. I think a lot of people get suckered into it without always understanding what they're getting into. Great example...

Just down the street from us, there is a 1-story home which has a row of solar panels installed on the south-facing roof (this is in London, Ontario, Canada). The problem? The house immediately south of it is a _two-story_ house, and these homes are only about 6 feet apart! I don't know the story behind it; if the sales people were pushy or the people int he house were just very gullible or what, but wow.

[onenikkione]

I live in Arizona, 1/2 of my roof faces South but I will not install solar panels because I don't have the $25, 000 in cash nor will I sign a lease. We wouldn't even consider buying a home here that had solar panels on the roof. Scotty didn't point out if you lease the solar and decide to sell your home the new buyer has to pay off the lease or qualify for a separate loan and that could slow the process of selling.