Homeowner Owned Solar System Adjustment

[Carnivore]

I do like Denis solution the best. Its a tried and true method and widely accepted in our world. Matched Pairs is not going to be very reliable as the systems are just not common enough. Plus throw in the possible differences in systems(different manufacturers)...and now you have to ,many variables skewing up everything. Throw in a lot of other variables and wow your analysis is going to be useless. Even Denis's model is a generic. It will work across the board, but some homes will actually be more efficient than others with identical systems. Location of subject, Orientation of the subjects improvement in relation to the path of the sun. Lots of factors and variables.

Denis is a smart guy. Denis I suggest you develop some software(app for tablet/smart phone) where an appraiser could plug in the variables; capacity of system, location of subject solar panels in relation to the sun's path, average hours of sunlight, repurchase rate's from utility company, Utility use rates, etc

The biggest issue with the average homeowner is how to store excess energy. Storing excess is more desirable than selling it back to the power company. My solution for storing excess solar energy would use water converting it into hydrogen and stored on site. I seen this on TV the other night using hydrogen as a fuel for automobile's.
Battery technology is not there yet.

My solution for reducing fossil fuel consumption is simple but effective; Third world war followed by one or two Pandemics and the reduction will be dramatic.

 

[jay trotta]

Although Owned, one still must consider the Cost of Roof Shingle replacement over time; the projected cost will far exceed the current cost, plus the panel removal & replacement.
If the Buyer has been truly informed and become knowledgeable, these would be some considerations to contemplate.
Take the savings over time and the cost to repair/replace roof and note the positive or negative impact; also, CA is way different then MA in terms of sun.
Good Luck

 

[Carnivore]

Another issue that is not talked about at all is the current energy efficiency of the House. Not long ago I was at one of my good friends house to see his Solar power system he had leased for 30 years. He showed me (salesman provided) numbers on the system and what it was going to save him over the long run. His kids are grown and gone. He and his wife don't plan on selling/moving. I had no doubts that he wont be moving. Well to make a long story short. I visually assessed his house while he showed me the system. What I noticed was that he had not recently taken any relatively inexpensive energy conservation steps on improving/reducing his overall electric use. This shocked me actually. His windows were not high quality dual pane. His attic insulation was marginally ok. His floor insulation was bare minimum. His appliances were not energy star. His lighting was not LED. The Landscaping was not optimum for summer time heat. I could on. I did not say anything to him.

 

[Tom4value]

Literature counts, it's a "recognized technique" & DCF provides consistent results based on savings. NOI operating statement will yield same result on Apartment, farm, even industrials yet most "markets" don't use DCF...but defending a solar on one paired sale? Or, on several that yields the range of an "adjustment" of (-5,000) to +30,000???

That’s my point. At least where I am, there is not enough owned systems to get enough data to see if it is even a positive, let alone enough to derive a supportable adjustment.

I pray that people keep leasing and don’t buy. I don’t get paid enough!

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

converting it into hydrogen and stored on site

Hydrogen can "soak" through steel and thus is problematic in "storage". You lose a lot of it, and it is a fire hazard deluxe. We had special precautions just to run a flame ion chromatograph in the oil patch. You tested to see if the flame was on by placing a spoon over the top of the flame to see if it fogged the metal. If not, the pilot was out. It isn't visible.

 

[Vermonter]

Tesla wall. My neighbors just had one installed for $15k. The week after he lost power for 4 days. There are guys out there building DIY ones from hybrid car batteries for a fraction of the cost.

Honestly think the small generation and storage systems are the future for solar. Grid tied for the payback, but the ability to disconnect and go on your own when necessary is a win win in my book. Correct sizing of the systems for the households use still seems to be eluding some installers tho....at least going by what I've seen out there lately.

 

[Carnivore]

Anybody use this:

https://www.pvvalue.com/index/index

 

[Michael S]

Anybody use this:

https://www.pvvalue.com/index/index

I tried it but it's difficult to get enough information on the system.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I'll have to look art that link.

Here is my current example. A 9 kW system rooftop installed by Petersen Dean in 2014. According to the owner system cost $30,000, electric bill used to run $400 per month, now runs $150 per month. Don't know if it was financed, but they own it.

 

[Meandering]

I'll have to look art that link.

Here is my current example. A 9 kW system rooftop installed by Petersen Dean in 2014. According to the owner system cost $30,000, electric bill used to run $400 per month, now runs $150 per month. Don't know if it was financed, but they own it.

blah, blah.

Get a copy of the true-up bills that state the kw generated, the $$ paid for that generation and the dollars credited against usage, and any carbon credit the owner qualified for.

Then get the reimbursement and payment schedules, along with expiration, or change in terms expectancy time lines. Know that as the systems age, they produce less electrical generation. So what ever kw they produced last year will be more, than the kws they will be expected to produce in 5, 10, 15 years from now. Plus you'll need the current age of the system, as the inverters only last 5-10 years, some inverters have already been recalled and some other of the electrical connection part (I forgot which part) will need to be replaced long before the panels have reached the end of their economic life.

You can't credit savings and income, without the expenses to generate that income. And while you're collecting your data, question if the homeowner's insurance and RE taxes have been increased due to the solar panels, because those increases must also be offset by what the owners are actually being paid for the electricity they are generating. Else, they are losing money.

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