[jumper69]

Pacific Gad & Electric because they have so many law suits, and suppression cost claims from their lines they've started shutting of power during high wind/High Fire Danger days mostly in foothill communities, have friends who been W/O power for two days....only in California!!!

 

[TinMan]

Lots of folks in the mountains of central CA have installed back-up generators because of the frequent outages. Without back-ups, however, usually power is only out for a couple of hours, though.

 

[nhoj-008]

Wonder if it'd be worth those folks investing in a solar back up system. Sell power to company when lines are up. Trickle charges batteries to be used in case power goes out. Our house was originally supposed to have such a system, but company to install backed out.

 

[LarryDScott]

I'm in the process of getting a 22KW Generac
installed and hope I dont ever need it. The LP
consumption rate (cost) will make your electric
bill look CHEAP. LDS

 

[45TAJ]

I'd be curious if one could break even w solar in two life times - even w factoring in emergency convenience.....??

 

[Greyfox]

Wonder if it'd be worth those folks investing in a solar back up system. Sell power to company when lines are up. Trickle charges batteries to be used in case power goes out. Our house was originally supposed to have such a system, but company to install backed out.

I have a solar generating system sell back to the power company. It works well and my annual electric costs are very little. However, I don't have a backup storage system. That setup, particularly the batteries, is outrageous. The batteries don't last that long either. If one wanted to be completely off the grid, it might be workable, but it isn't economically feasible.

Rick

 

[Greyfox]

I'd be curious if one could break even w solar in two life times - even w factoring in emergency convenience.....??

That would involve a lot of calculation and where one lives is a factor. Many months of the year I break even or make a slight profit. Over the course of a year my average is probably about $40 per month. I haven't added it up for the past year, but that's in the ball park. I have about 4100 square feet under roof including a full basement which I use. The system cost around $32,000. I did get a $10,000 tax credit and another $1000 rebate. I used $$ from my IRA to map the balance, so there is no interest on the package. It's all paid for. The IRA $$ was going to need to be withdrawn due to my age. The estimated return on investment is around 7% depending on the price of power which is ever increasing. At 25 years the panels are projected to be more than 80% efficient. I won't get into whether or not solar power is a good investment for the country, but it is working for me. You might say I chose to pay up front for my power for the rest of my life. As the price of electricity goes up, it will be even better.

Rick

 

[LarryDScott]

That would involve a lot of calculation and where one lives is a factor. Many months of the year I break even or make a slight profit. Over the course of a year my average is probably about $40 per month. I haven't added it up for the past year, but that's in the ball park. I have about 4100 square feet under roof including a full basement which I use. The system cost around $32,000. I did get a $10,000 tax credit and another $1000 rebate. I used $$ from my IRA to map the balance, so there is no interest on the package. It's all paid for. The IRA $$ was going to need to be withdrawn due to my age. The estimated return on investment is around 7% depending on the price of power which is ever increasing. At 25 years the panels are projected to be more than 80% efficient. I won't get into whether or not solar power is a good investment for the country, but it is working for me. You might say I chose to pay up front for my power for the rest of my life. As the price of electricity goes up, it will be even better.

Rick

Now I know how you can afford all the powder you burn.
I have to spend my powder and bullet money on Electricity.
LDS

 

[JC in Calif]

Pacific Gad & Electric because they have so many law suits, and suppression cost claims from their lines they've started shutting of power during high wind/High Fire Danger days mostly in foothill communities, have friends who been W/O power for two days....only in California!!!

The whole PG&E subject is a large and complex one. They are basically a monopoly in the state and have most of the California politicians in their pocket. Recouping lossses from the ratepayer, including fires and the San Bruno gas explosion. The party of “Dims” runs the state, what else needs to be said.

I drove through some of the burn areas yesterday on my way to Dunsmuir. The size of burn is shocking. It stopped about ten miles south of Dunsmuir. Lucky thing as it most likely would have burned a large portion of the town.

 

[45TAJ]

Hmmm, OK, when you say $10k tax credit, I'm not too savvy here, does that amt come off the taxable income line or is it subtracted from the tax amount owed? I'm guessing the former?

 

[Greyfox]

Hmmm, OK, when you say $10k tax credit, I'm not too savvy here, does that amt come off the taxable income line or is it subtracted from the tax amount owed? I'm guessing the former?

The latter. Since I withdrew a substantial amount from my IRA, I owed a substantial tax. Couple that with the tax I owed for the year in question, I made out pretty well. Tax credit means it comes off the amount of tax owed.

Rick

 

[nhoj-008]

I'd be curious if one could break even w solar in two life times - even w factoring in emergency convenience.....??[/QUO

My wife's company is installing straight cells on the roof. Estimates 8-12 years to pay for themselves. Initial savings is tax rebates and misc grants they qualify for. I believe they also get tax rebate each year til paid off through a go green program. Good for businesses.

For a back up system, batteries and controllers are expensive. If it's used as a back up though, with little use, the components will lasts a lot longer. My thought is California would be peak efficiency for solar. Make some money help off set cost. Also, a lot Less of a threat not having a giant propane tank should a fire get close.