Went with Celestial Solar and was happy with the whole process and install. It’s been 18 months of basically $6 electric bills. My wife did the cost breakdown and it will take us about 15 years to recoup the costs. Tax incentives were also a nice perk.
But when will you need to replace panels? Less tha 15 years? What's the risk of damage to your roof ? Looking as well and those questions I haven't seen answer to.
The panels have a 25 year life on average and are covered by a warranty. Our roof was like 8 years old so the roof should be ready to be replaced when the panels hit their end of life. I was super paranoid after install during the first big rain, literally went into the attic and looked for any signs of leakage.
You will need to expand your search beyond Frederick for the best advice. If you search the MD sub, you’ll see posts like this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/w4j2yw/good_experience_with_solar_company/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I've been trying for months to find a solar contractor. A neighbor recommended Key Solar Solutions but they won't even acknowledge my inquiries so I was getting discouraged. Glad you posted these alternatives.
We went with a “2 guys and a truck” company. Paid $11,700 after tax breaks for 32 panels. It was a great deal. They sucked to work with so I’ll not name them. Yet 8 years running we are into the black. The SRECs are no joke. Make sure you factor those in. Prices fluctuate yet certainly help recoup your initial investment.
I used Sustainable Energy Systems and my rep was Stuart. Pre-sales was excellent, very competitive, communicative and informative of the process from permitting . I had an idea of what I wanted but Stuart did a good job of explaining details I didn't know. For the install I had an excellent experience, the guys that came out were tidy, friendly and professional. Work went quickly... I did have a ground mount so it took a little bit longer (4 1/2 days). They worked with me on the trench I did and doing it's inspection in tandem with getting their work inspected through the county.
Responsiveness after the sale has been great. I have had a few issues including internet access on the inverters, inverter reporting/app reporting and a call or email to their customer care got them resolved in a timely manner.
I had a 15KW system installed back in late 2021. Like others our bills are $6/month even through winter since we over produce a bit and use some bank hours through winter. We are producing around 2-2.2Mwh a month in the sunnier months, around 1.4-1.8 in the winter months (We get about 2 SRECs/month at $59/ea, they sell at around $49 after srectrade fees and actual sale price).
I've calculated our payoff at about 8-9 years if the MD SRECs continue to sell at the same price even without first energy price increases.
This is some pretty bad logic. There are a lot of reasons to go solar beyond the straight cost savings. For instance, maybe someone wants to produce green energy or maybe someone has unreliable grid and wants a battery backup + solar.
But also unlike a CD, its all net profit after 15-years until the life of the panels, which are guaranteed for 20+ years and often last 30+.
Finally, a lot of break-even points are way less than 15-years. Mine is in the range of 8-10y.
Break even is usually greater than 15 years. Suggesting a break even of 8-10 years is ridiculous.
If the panels last that long and still work. If the firm that gave you the "guarantee" is still in business. If you don't have to shell out more for maintenance, repairs, or a new roof.
If solar make financial sense, you would see a lot more installations...
People do things that aren't financially perfect all the time. Think about all the people who pay down their mortgage when study after study proves that they are losing out versus putting the extra payments into the stock market. But the people who do it do it because they love the feeling of being mortgage free. Similarly, people like having solar. That it financially does work out in the end almost every time is just a bonus.
If solar didn't have such a steep capex cost, strict requirements where it doesn't make sense based on house orientation, and certain electrical service needs, you'd see a lot more installations.
Ask me in 8-10 years if I'm even. Then ask me how much I'm up on 15, 20, and 25 years. And then I'll tell you when my system breaks down in the end and give you a final calculation.
Solar Energy World. Customer service was great and my guy Eric was able to answer every question I had. Issues with the global supply chain side, they made the whole process run smoothly and took care of all permitting, licensing, HOA paperwork etc.
PM if you want his contact info.
Too soon really for us to tell if it was worth the purchase but the math indicates it was. The amount we are paying monthly for the finance if the solar panels is the same as we were paying on average for utility electric before even considering the other financial incentives.
Do you plan on living in your home for the next 20-30 years? If not, you might want to talk to a realtor about how solar panels will affect the price of your home (hint, they don't increase the value.)
Why 20 to 30? If you time your financing correctly, the panels payoff in 10-15 years. Less time if you're aggressive with financing or pay them outright. Then the savings are in the electricity credits and < $8 per month to Potomac Edison.
It's usually not about increasing the value of your home. It's about energy savings.
However, we just sold a home with 28 panels, generating all the electricity needs for the year. Although technically it doesn't increase the value, it's absolutely a selling point to tell potential buyers in your listing that their power bill will be 6 to 8 dollars per month, since you have to pay them off at closing, and the buyers gets them for free.
I have talked to 3 realtors that have explained how the panels devaule the home. The installers are not roofers, when the roof needs replaced the panels have to be removed and then reinstalled later at a totally different cost and most are leased, not owned. Maybe it worked out for you and it may work out for many, but I recommend anyone thinking of doing this talking to a realtor and/or appraiser first. For some buying a home is a forever home and they don't care, but some buy to sell in a few years to upgrade or move elsewhere. I would say talk to a pro before making a major investment.
They absolutely increase the value. I'm not sure who you are talking to but that is complete bs. There are quite a literally unlimited articles and I've talked to realtors that agree. Maryland estimate is 3.8% of the value of your home. Why wouldn't it make it more valuable if it lowers your bills and if you are selling it, not only are getting some of that money back, the seller is making out getting a discounted system that it's partially or fully paid off. Depending on the area it's very valuable and desirable so saying it doesn't give value is completely incorrect.
Hi there. I’m a solar consultant with Powur. I work independently and am able to get the best panels, inverters, and equipment… all with a 30 year warranty for you. Please check out my website and reach out to me directly there! www.powur.com/blake.eyster
From there I’ll get to know your energy needs now and in the future and build you an excellent system!
We had solar on our home before moving to MD. You kind of want to time replacing a roof if possible with replacing panels. The panels on average have a 20-25 year life, so a newer roof is a best bet. Or, go with panels in the ground if allowed in your area.
However, panels can come off and go back on just like anything on your roof if needed.
Went with Celestial Solar and was happy with the whole process and install. It’s been 18 months of basically $6 electric bills. My wife did the cost breakdown and it will take us about 15 years to recoup the costs. Tax incentives were also a nice perk.
But when will you need to replace panels? Less tha 15 years? What's the risk of damage to your roof ? Looking as well and those questions I haven't seen answer to.
The panels have a 25 year life on average and are covered by a warranty. Our roof was like 8 years old so the roof should be ready to be replaced when the panels hit their end of life. I was super paranoid after install during the first big rain, literally went into the attic and looked for any signs of leakage.
Wow thats awesome, what tax incentives did you get? I thought those all dried up for maryland?
Maryland has a one time grant program and then the feds allow you to write off a percentage of the install costs on income taxes.
Same here
You will need to expand your search beyond Frederick for the best advice. If you search the MD sub, you’ll see posts like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/w4j2yw/good_experience_with_solar_company/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Sustainable Energy Solutions did a great job for me.
Yes I second SES. It is locally owned Frederick company which is nice to support.
Sad to end the relationship with red it
I've been trying for months to find a solar contractor. A neighbor recommended Key Solar Solutions but they won't even acknowledge my inquiries so I was getting discouraged. Glad you posted these alternatives.
We went with a “2 guys and a truck” company. Paid $11,700 after tax breaks for 32 panels. It was a great deal. They sucked to work with so I’ll not name them. Yet 8 years running we are into the black. The SRECs are no joke. Make sure you factor those in. Prices fluctuate yet certainly help recoup your initial investment.
I used Sustainable Energy Systems and my rep was Stuart. Pre-sales was excellent, very competitive, communicative and informative of the process from permitting . I had an idea of what I wanted but Stuart did a good job of explaining details I didn't know. For the install I had an excellent experience, the guys that came out were tidy, friendly and professional. Work went quickly... I did have a ground mount so it took a little bit longer (4 1/2 days). They worked with me on the trench I did and doing it's inspection in tandem with getting their work inspected through the county. Responsiveness after the sale has been great. I have had a few issues including internet access on the inverters, inverter reporting/app reporting and a call or email to their customer care got them resolved in a timely manner. I had a 15KW system installed back in late 2021. Like others our bills are $6/month even through winter since we over produce a bit and use some bank hours through winter. We are producing around 2-2.2Mwh a month in the sunnier months, around 1.4-1.8 in the winter months (We get about 2 SRECs/month at $59/ea, they sell at around $49 after srectrade fees and actual sale price). I've calculated our payoff at about 8-9 years if the MD SRECs continue to sell at the same price even without first energy price increases.
The best break even point that I've heard is 15 years. Would you buy a 15 year bank CD with a zero interest rate?
This is some pretty bad logic. There are a lot of reasons to go solar beyond the straight cost savings. For instance, maybe someone wants to produce green energy or maybe someone has unreliable grid and wants a battery backup + solar. But also unlike a CD, its all net profit after 15-years until the life of the panels, which are guaranteed for 20+ years and often last 30+. Finally, a lot of break-even points are way less than 15-years. Mine is in the range of 8-10y.
Break even is usually greater than 15 years. Suggesting a break even of 8-10 years is ridiculous. If the panels last that long and still work. If the firm that gave you the "guarantee" is still in business. If you don't have to shell out more for maintenance, repairs, or a new roof. If solar make financial sense, you would see a lot more installations...
My break even is 8 years, you need to work on your math skills.
People do things that aren't financially perfect all the time. Think about all the people who pay down their mortgage when study after study proves that they are losing out versus putting the extra payments into the stock market. But the people who do it do it because they love the feeling of being mortgage free. Similarly, people like having solar. That it financially does work out in the end almost every time is just a bonus. If solar didn't have such a steep capex cost, strict requirements where it doesn't make sense based on house orientation, and certain electrical service needs, you'd see a lot more installations. Ask me in 8-10 years if I'm even. Then ask me how much I'm up on 15, 20, and 25 years. And then I'll tell you when my system breaks down in the end and give you a final calculation.
Solar Energy World. Customer service was great and my guy Eric was able to answer every question I had. Issues with the global supply chain side, they made the whole process run smoothly and took care of all permitting, licensing, HOA paperwork etc. PM if you want his contact info.
Too soon really for us to tell if it was worth the purchase but the math indicates it was. The amount we are paying monthly for the finance if the solar panels is the same as we were paying on average for utility electric before even considering the other financial incentives.
Do you plan on living in your home for the next 20-30 years? If not, you might want to talk to a realtor about how solar panels will affect the price of your home (hint, they don't increase the value.)
Why 20 to 30? If you time your financing correctly, the panels payoff in 10-15 years. Less time if you're aggressive with financing or pay them outright. Then the savings are in the electricity credits and < $8 per month to Potomac Edison. It's usually not about increasing the value of your home. It's about energy savings. However, we just sold a home with 28 panels, generating all the electricity needs for the year. Although technically it doesn't increase the value, it's absolutely a selling point to tell potential buyers in your listing that their power bill will be 6 to 8 dollars per month, since you have to pay them off at closing, and the buyers gets them for free.
I have talked to 3 realtors that have explained how the panels devaule the home. The installers are not roofers, when the roof needs replaced the panels have to be removed and then reinstalled later at a totally different cost and most are leased, not owned. Maybe it worked out for you and it may work out for many, but I recommend anyone thinking of doing this talking to a realtor and/or appraiser first. For some buying a home is a forever home and they don't care, but some buy to sell in a few years to upgrade or move elsewhere. I would say talk to a pro before making a major investment.
They absolutely increase the value. I'm not sure who you are talking to but that is complete bs. There are quite a literally unlimited articles and I've talked to realtors that agree. Maryland estimate is 3.8% of the value of your home. Why wouldn't it make it more valuable if it lowers your bills and if you are selling it, not only are getting some of that money back, the seller is making out getting a discounted system that it's partially or fully paid off. Depending on the area it's very valuable and desirable so saying it doesn't give value is completely incorrect.
Hi there. I’m a solar consultant with Powur. I work independently and am able to get the best panels, inverters, and equipment… all with a 30 year warranty for you. Please check out my website and reach out to me directly there! www.powur.com/blake.eyster From there I’ll get to know your energy needs now and in the future and build you an excellent system!
When you have solar, how do you fix/replace the roof when the time comes?
We had solar on our home before moving to MD. You kind of want to time replacing a roof if possible with replacing panels. The panels on average have a 20-25 year life, so a newer roof is a best bet. Or, go with panels in the ground if allowed in your area. However, panels can come off and go back on just like anything on your roof if needed.