DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 48

pinballlooking · 10-12-15, 10:46 AM

I paid $161 230 watt panel’s free shipping 40 panels
I paid $177 a panel for my 240 watt panels. 14 panels
That is great news for your state!

I am glad I installed solar when I did the prices were right.
I do wish I had power CO. rebate like you did.

ELGo · 10-12-15, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I think I need to add the cost to this.
We are at $1.72 watt installed before rebates for 11.6 kw. This is 0.78 watt after rebates. Fed 30% SC state 25% this should give a five year payback

Hi,

How did you figure your payback ? My arithmetic says faster but I may be off in my assumptions how much the panels are generating.

Addendum: Second thought -- it makes sense at 1.6 kWh/watt*year since your panels are not at optimal tilt. Still -- fantastic!

Robaroni · 10-12-15, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELGo

This is correct but people are often confused by tax liability Vs tax owed.

The EV non-refundable tax credit applies to the first $7500 of tax liability. If your liability is less than $7500, the tax credit will zero the amount.

Tax_owed = Tax_liability - tax_payed.

Right, I'm retired so it's basically meaningless for me. If it wasn't I'd buy an EV tomorrow.

Rob

pinballlooking · 10-12-15, 11:03 AM

If you buy used the prices are decreased by this amount with extra depreciation.
If you lease the leasing company gets this money and they discount your payment to reflect it.
That all being said I wish it was a rebate and not a credit.

Robaroni · 10-12-15, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

If you buy used the prices and decreased by this amount with extra depreciation.
If you lease the leasing company gets this money and they discount your payment to reflect it.
That all being said I wish it was a rebate and not a credit.

I'm looking into used Volts now, I think once the 2016's hit the road I'll get a really good deal. I'd like to get a 2014 or a 2015, I should be able to get one coming off lease, maybe next spring.

Rob

ELGo · 10-12-15, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaroni

Right, I'm retired so it's basically meaningless for me. If it wasn't I'd buy an EV tomorrow.

Rob

I'm sure you know your tax situation well, but being retired does not necessarily mean no tax liability. Even SS is taxed above a threshold amount.

I'm in your situation. No tax liability to take advantage of the tax credit. Even though I work and am paid quite well, most of my income is sent to retirement savings so the end result is the same.

The follow-up comment though is exactly right: a used car should pass most of the credit on to the secondary buyer.

Robaroni · 10-12-15, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELGo

I'm sure you know your tax situation well, but being retired does not necessarily mean no tax liability. Even SS is taxed above a threshold amount.

I'm in your situation. No tax liability to take advantage of the tax credit. Even though I work and am paid quite well, most of my income is sent to retirement savings so the end result is the same.

The follow-up comment though is exactly right: a used car should pass most of the credit on to the secondary buyer.

ELGo,
Thanks but for the last several years I have paid little to no tax. Things might change, I'm doing more magazine articles now and will be starting to sell circuit boards again. I'm just rebuilding my web site:

www.dsgnspec.com

Rob

creeky · 10-17-15, 06:49 PM

all you guys with your fancy charts. I had to try it. So after some labourious lamenting of libre office calc. I get a total of 317,120 watts over the last 82 days. Ignore the 0 watts day. I loaded new firmware for my controllers that day and it left me with an extra day at 0 watts.

I'm off grid. So the chart outlines the power I created and used. The days I run the dishwasher are pretty easy to spot.

and also for comparison: In the spring of 2011 I paid $500 each for 4 250 watt mono panels (red: Panel set A). I then bought 2 more at $425 ea. I later found 2 more at $200 each (Blue: Panel set B). All the panels were used.

I run two 1kw arrays. One fixed (B) at 60 degrees. And the other is adjustable (A). Here I set 30 summer; 45 (my latitude) spring/fall; 60 winter. It makes quite a difference to the power output. Something not fully reflected in the stats as, of course, I could be making considerably more power if I had a place to put it.

Robaroni · 10-18-15, 09:20 AM

That's about 1.4 Mwh a year. Pretty good!

Rob

creeky · 10-18-15, 12:07 PM

thx. I'm over 3 megawatts now. Only took me 5 years. ha ha ha.

still. 3.8kw/day sure makes off grid easier. Can't wait to get the new battery pack.

10-12-15, 10:46 AM	#471
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I paid $161 230 watt panel’s free shipping 40 panels I paid $177 a panel for my 240 watt panels. 14 panels That is great news for your state! I am glad I installed solar when I did the prices were right. I do wish I had power CO. rebate like you did. Last edited by pinballlooking; 10-14-16 at 03:27 PM..

10-12-15, 11:03 AM	#474
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	If you buy used the prices are decreased by this amount with extra depreciation. If you lease the leasing company gets this money and they discount your payment to reflect it. That all being said I wish it was a rebate and not a credit.

10-17-15, 06:49 PM	#478
creeky Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: a field somewhere Posts: 304 Thanks: 64 Thanked 44 Times in 31 Posts	all you guys with your fancy charts. I had to try it. So after some labourious lamenting of libre office calc. I get a total of 317,120 watts over the last 82 days. Ignore the 0 watts day. I loaded new firmware for my controllers that day and it left me with an extra day at 0 watts. I'm off grid. So the chart outlines the power I created and used. The days I run the dishwasher are pretty easy to spot. and also for comparison: In the spring of 2011 I paid $500 each for 4 250 watt mono panels (red: Panel set A). I then bought 2 more at $425 ea. I later found 2 more at $200 each (Blue: Panel set B). All the panels were used. I run two 1kw arrays. One fixed (B) at 60 degrees. And the other is adjustable (A). Here I set 30 summer; 45 (my latitude) spring/fall; 60 winter. It makes quite a difference to the power output. Something not fully reflected in the stats as, of course, I could be making considerably more power if I had a place to put it.

10-18-15, 09:20 AM	#479
Robaroni Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delhi, NY Posts: 332 Thanks: 20 Thanked 53 Times in 40 Posts	That's about 1.4 Mwh a year. Pretty good! Rob

10-18-15, 12:07 PM	#480
creeky Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: a field somewhere Posts: 304 Thanks: 64 Thanked 44 Times in 31 Posts	thx. I'm over 3 megawatts now. Only took me 5 years. ha ha ha. still. 3.8kw/day sure makes off grid easier. Can't wait to get the new battery pack.