Panels don't run things
What is your response to people who ask you "what will your solar panels run?" (run, as in power, operate)
Forum Discussion
$25K for a home system would likely cover panels and batteries for an off-grid system. A grid-tied solar installation would run around half that. But it must be noted that finding the best system for any situation involves some complex calculations. I am in the throes of making those calculations for our home, and the one thing that stands out as the reason everyone hasn’t already dumped the grid and installed solar is the up front cost. We buy cars and houses, also requiring large up front expenditures, only because we’re used to it and loans to cover are easy to get because lenders are used to it.
If I were having a new house built today, I’d build in solar and no tie to the grid at all. The extra $15-25K is a small part of the total and easily folded into the mortgage. Properly designed and sized, it would pay for itself long before you paid off the mortgage, and be a money saver over all.
Retrofitting as well as a house you plan to sell before you pay off the debt complicates the calculations, especially given the unsettled expectation of the buyers. Maybe they would see it as a selling point and be willing to pay extra for it. Maybe they would see the lack of grid connections as a disadvantage and lower their offer. Check your crystal ball for an answer.
If I were having a new house built today, I’d build in solar and no tie to the grid at all. The extra $15-25K is a small part of the total and easily folded into the mortgage. Properly designed and sized, it would pay for itself long before you paid off the mortgage, and be a money saver over all.
Retrofitting as well as a house you plan to sell before you pay off the debt complicates the calculations, especially given the unsettled expectation of the buyers. Maybe they would see it as a selling point and be willing to pay extra for it. Maybe they would see the lack of grid connections as a disadvantage and lower their offer. Check your crystal ball for an answer.
