Dark Side of Solar
- Thread starter Fearless
- Start date
That’s why this is the ‘DIY’ Solar Forum
.Yes!!! We only screw ourselves.That’s why this is the ‘DIY’ Solar Forum
Heh... I get calls from these guys all the time.
I start talking to them, explain I'm a solar guru, and electrician, and they STILL read off the sales speel script...
It's funny.
It's funny.
My DIY 4kW grid-tied array cost me less than $5000 (plus my time) and broke-even in under 5 years…
I wouldn’t sign up if I were you… I think the sales people are not being totally truthfull …
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
Teaser headline. There is not a "Dark Side" of solar if one is informed. The headline which would be more appropriate would have been, " Beware of Solar Sales People". Become informed and make an optimal decision.
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Kuma
New Member
Got a quote for a 4kw system, facing west, they claimed it will produce 9kw for only $26k. And, they wanted to install it on my unpermitted barn. I asked what happens if the inspector for Final asks about barn permits and engineering calcs for the PV system weight. Their reply, they may not ask. Maybe we will get some one thats not paying attention.
EastTexCowboy
Solar Wizard
Around here we sit out on the porch with a shotgun across our lap in the morning, waiting for salesmen to show up.
BTW, that's a takeoff from Second Hand Lion, in case you've never seen it.
Love that movie, watch it yearly.
I looked into solar when I bought my house. 20 years out vs. grid power, there was a negative ROI. I'd have been double the $$$ out doing their version of solar than just buying grid power. They're on par with used car salesman.
I'm still on grid, with no plans to change that, and here to build my off grid solar backup.
I broke even on my sungold tp6048 purchase this month and I bought it 6 months ago. I'm still in the hole panels and such.
pollenface
Solar Addict
Why does it cost so much? I've put 6.6kw grid tied solar on two houses and both were under $8k aud.
Labor. They have people convinced they should pay a ton of money for the setup. They have no clue what it cost and the ones selling it pad it with labor like no tomorrow.
It doesn't cost that much to do solar here if you do it yourself.
pollenface
Solar Addict
How much would you expect to pay inc labor from a reputable installer for say 7kw?
To be fair my grid-tied systems were worth about $11k (aud) installed discluding gov rebates.
Well where I live since todays youth won't work anymore and all the old timers that do carpentry and other house related jobs are retiring because they tell me "I'm tired of paying people to watch me work" there isn't anyone to install anything these days let alone solar. So someone else will have to chime in.
Example I was wanting to pay someone to put panels on the roof since I don't do heights. Well I never found anyone I could pay to do it or much of anything else around here so I ground mounted them.
pollenface
Solar Addict
wow, that's interesting. it's completely different where I live, trades people are tripping over each other trying to get your business.
The average man used to be able to work on or build about anything..and he also taught his boy how to do it while young…..“Pa” also had friends who could actually help him. A lot of us are getting too old to swing around high places and many young ones arnt out helping “ Pa” anymore so as to learn and help carry on the tradition..
Skill with real stuff is a disappearing asset in this country today.
I hope that reverses in the next 20 years…
J.
mptx
New Member
Yeah, they come to my door with a similar approach. My first question is ‘where’s your permit?’, and it doesn’t matter what they say next because by then I’m taping the “No Solicitation” sign under my door bell and telling them to get off my porch. Anyone that is legit would honor their permit agreement… or maybe they don’t actually have one. I’m in sales and lying about permits or what you are actually selling is never a great way to start any new customer relationship.
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