Cycle Trading

[Duma]

I did a serious study of solar about 2 years ago. There are lots of homes where I live that have it. Everybody seems to be pleased but the bad stories are starting to come out. Most issues are because the installing company will not respond to panels not working. Panels and inverters do fail along the 20yr life path.

For me it boiled down to a 25 year loan for $35,000, a monthly savings initially of about $30-40, and a $10,500 tax credit. The tax credit would cover my total electric cost for 5 years as I spend about $2,000 a year. The theory is that in 5 years the cost of electricity will have gone up enough that the saving would be closer to $100 a month.

I choose not to do it for several reasons.
* The savings was not higher than what I spend on Happy Hour each week, which is another way of saying, electricity is really not that much of a burden on my monthly cost of living.
* Every time I needed to redo my roof I was looking at $8K to take the panels off and then re-install them.
* There was no guarantee that the power company would continue buying the excess electricity at the rates quoted. That was a major part of the cost savings. Big cuts happening in Calif now.
* Almost everyone selling their homes is having to pay off the loan before closing. I don't plan on moving, but a big issue for my estate.
* What happens when the company putting in the panels and operating the system goes belly up as is happening in California. What will be the cost with the next company to run and maintain the system. Bankruptcy of the installing company would be very costly and probably negate any cost savings.
* I didn't want to put the added stress on my roof. What if it started to sag, big oops.
* Somebody has to get up on the roof at least every 6 months and clean off the panels. The going rate is just under $100. There goes more of the savings.
* I really don't think the panel and equipment will last 25 years. What will be the cost to take the equipment off the roof and dispose of it. There are no recycling centers and I am pretty sure the trash dumps will not take them, so then what? This is already a big issue in Calif as solar systems installed 20 years ago are all dying. Many people are just throwing them into the backyard, I have seen pictures.

This should be interesting in California. They have all their solar power, which can not be fully used during the day, but all the Tesla owners need to charge at night when the state has to buy power from other states. Almost half of the Tesla's in the US are in California. I know AZ sells them power along with others and they are not going to get any deals. Calif is paying almost 30 cents per kwh while in AZ we are paying 15 cents. Expect the gap to get bigger. Also expect the brown outs to get worse along with more regional power shutdowns. Welcome to the same service as most 3rd world counties enjoy.

What happens if Red states start restricting immigration from those fleeing blue states? Could it happen, probably not but here is what is happening. Florida is full and residents are now fleeing to the states just to the north, i.e. Tenn. If you can't get into a restaurant for dinner, that is a very serious problem and requires action.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/daytime-solar-power-glut-california-rooftop-sales-plunge-90