solar power

[Ramhusker]

Looked into a few different solar "leasing" companies that will come out, design a system yo fit your home, pull all permits, deal with local providers and do the install at no cost to the home owner.

Basically you buy the energy produced from them, and the local power company also buys whatever you don't use from the leasing agent.

2 I looked at will lock you in at a kW/hr rate higher than the current local rate, but as local rates increase, yours stays the same for the full term of contract, which for one company was 20 years, and the other was 10 years, at which time you have the option of either re-upping for another 10 years, or buying the equipment from them.

One thing @Dagonet touched on is the federal tax credits, which as he stated is 30%. If you lease the equipment, from these companies, you don't get the tax credit, they do.

Basically after a week of research, I am right back to square one again

Which should tell you to hold off right? Let the technology catch up to your wants. It's not there yet unless money is no object to you.

On the long term contract thing. How long does that company have to stay in business for you to break even? If they fold in year 5 of a 20 year deal, has your savings arrived yet? Risky proposition with the fail rate of these alternative energy companies.

 

[Dagonet]

Looked into a few different solar "leasing" companies that will come out, design a system yo fit your home, pull all permits, deal with local providers and do the install at no cost to the home owner.

Basically you buy the energy produced from them, and the local power company also buys whatever you don't use from the leasing agent.

2 I looked at will lock you in at a kW/hr rate higher than the current local rate, but as local rates increase, yours stays the same for the full term of contract, which for one company was 20 years, and the other was 10 years, at which time you have the option of either re-upping for another 10 years, or buying the equipment from them.

One thing @Dagonet touched on is the federal tax credits, which as he stated is 30%. If you lease the equipment, from these companies, you don't get the tax credit, they do.

Basically after a week of research, I am right back to square one again

When I was at Hodgson Mill, the owner did what you speak of above. He had a company come in and install large solar panels right by the plant. He was pleased with it, but I share your concerns here on tax credits and etc. At one time, I thought this may not be a bad business to get into. I'm assuming the local power company would buy whatever electricity is not used from you? Hopefully the leasing agent wouldn't get that?

One thing to keep in mind on the higher price for power with the leasing agents or solar in general, is what kind of power plant provides your electricity. In my area it's a coal fired plant. With Obama's new EPA regs coming in they will have to switch to natural gas. Ameren (our local utility) is not going to pay for that. They will pass that cost onto the consumers. If these EPA regs go through, I'm expecting to see our electricity rates go through the roof. Just something to keep in mind.

I'll try and dig up more of the research I did on solar last year. My bookmarks are gone as I had to reinstall Google Chrome. I also bought a CD on how to construct a solar system but never viewed it yet. I bought it a few years back when I was thinking of buying the house I was renting before I met the Mrs. I need to dig and find it too as Bonifay was wanting info.

 

[RhodyRams]

well I am still holding off on going forward with the project. Really dont plan on doing anything until spring at least, just figured I would start doing some research now and see where it takes me. I will keep you guys posted if I find out anything worth sharing.

BTW thanks for all the input you guys have contributed so far