Solar Conundrums
June 22, 2021 2:20 PM Subscribe
Is there a good unbiased clearinghouse/site to answer all my home solar questions?
We’ve been getting door-to-door salesdroids through the neighborhood lately, all hyping their company’s solar panel offerings. Having an unobstructed south-facing roof, solar has always seemed a natural thing to at least think about doing. But...
Skimming through the various companies’ websites and brochures, I’m inundated and confused by references to various technologies employed in the different offerings. For all I know, they’re selling the same damned panel, and just skewing the wording of the details to make them sound unique. It sure would be nice if there was a single, regularly-updated, website that acted as an unbiased information clearinghouse for all things solar.
So...Does such a beast exist?
We’ve been getting door-to-door salesdroids through the neighborhood lately, all hyping their company’s solar panel offerings. Having an unobstructed south-facing roof, solar has always seemed a natural thing to at least think about doing. But...
Skimming through the various companies’ websites and brochures, I’m inundated and confused by references to various technologies employed in the different offerings. For all I know, they’re selling the same damned panel, and just skewing the wording of the details to make them sound unique. It sure would be nice if there was a single, regularly-updated, website that acted as an unbiased information clearinghouse for all things solar.
So...Does such a beast exist?
Watch John Oliver's piece on the PACE program first!
posted by idb at 2:45 PM on June 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by idb at 2:45 PM on June 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
I would also point you to Energy Sage, and more specifically to their news/reviews. Any competent installer should be able to tell you pretty up-front which panel they're using (SunPower makes their own, a lot of people use Panasonic, etc.), unless they're embarrassed by it. Energy Sage has especially nifty reviews of the various warranties, which is frankly (IMHO) kinda hard to figure out by oneself.
...also, never lease a system. Buy upfront, IMHO.
posted by aramaic at 3:12 PM on June 22, 2021 [2 favorites]
...also, never lease a system. Buy upfront, IMHO.
posted by aramaic at 3:12 PM on June 22, 2021 [2 favorites]
We had ours done two years ago and as I recall the only meaningful difference is microinverter vs string inverter. (basically, the panels have to turn their power from DC - like a battery - to AC - like the grid). You can either do it in each panel (microinverter), or string a bunch of panels together and do it in one place (string inverter). If your roof is unobstructed and south facing I'd go with a string inverter, it's cheaper and most of the benefit from microinverters are around dealing with shade on individual panels etc. Each company will probably sell one or the other type of panels, and they will give you all sorts of reasons why their panels are better, so I'd decide that one on your own up front if you can.
posted by true at 3:28 PM on June 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by true at 3:28 PM on June 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
You could try applying RETscreen. It's an app from the Canadian government to help you address your potential and payback. It can account for costs, subsidies, tax breaks etc as well as angle of roof, location etc.
posted by biffa at 4:31 PM on June 22, 2021
posted by biffa at 4:31 PM on June 22, 2021
In retrospect, I regret not getting a Sunny Boy inverter with secure power supply, a special outlet that is powered by the panels during a power outage. It obviously won’t power the house, but being able to power our deep freezer during the day could be really a great thing during an extended outage.
posted by rockindata at 5:32 AM on June 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by rockindata at 5:32 AM on June 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Nthing energysage.
We had a great experience with the company we used, but they were the 3rd or 4th company I contacted, and the least likely to send people door-to-door. I was very upfront with the sales guy about the other companies/quotes we were looking at, and he was thoughtful and thorough the whole time.
I just want to add: the math that they like to throw around (you spend $100/month on electricity, so we'll give you a loan that covers your solar panels and install for $100/month for the next 20 years) masks the fact that they include a huge origination fee and then finance that fee. There are probably better loans to be had out there, if that's your thing. And federal/state/county/power company rebates/plans might be available, so it might be worth checking your power company's website and/or local gov't websites.
posted by adekllny at 7:14 AM on June 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
We had a great experience with the company we used, but they were the 3rd or 4th company I contacted, and the least likely to send people door-to-door. I was very upfront with the sales guy about the other companies/quotes we were looking at, and he was thoughtful and thorough the whole time.
I just want to add: the math that they like to throw around (you spend $100/month on electricity, so we'll give you a loan that covers your solar panels and install for $100/month for the next 20 years) masks the fact that they include a huge origination fee and then finance that fee. There are probably better loans to be had out there, if that's your thing. And federal/state/county/power company rebates/plans might be available, so it might be worth checking your power company's website and/or local gov't websites.
posted by adekllny at 7:14 AM on June 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
No, I don't think the thing you want exists. I've worked in rooftop solar and I have a lot of thoughts and opinions, but I'm not sure what will best answer your question.
Generally speaking, I would focus less on what panels/technology these guys are advertising to you, I expect you're right on about that being mostly pointless marketing. They've each decided X and Y brands are the best value for their target customers. But most small to mid-sized companies should be happy to install any panel that's possible to source and should offer both Enphase and SolarEdge, it's not like they have to be an authorized dealer or something.
Instead, I would look closer at the actual companies themselves. A quality company isn't going to install crap products. And like, you can have the nicest panels in the world, but they don't do you a bit of good if you can't turn your system on because it can't pass inspection. Or, say you have an issue some years down the road, will the company still be around to service your system or will they have pulled out of your area to chase greener pastures?
Unfortunately, I struggle to think of a reliable metric to judge solar companies by. Reviews on EnergySage and SolarReviews are...not what I'd call trustworthy. I would definitely confirm the company you go with does all their sales AND install in-house. Some places just make the sales, then they contract everything else out to some other company, which often does not produce a good result. (This will not necessarily be apparent from websites, and if they work in multiple states, they may do everything in-house in some areas, but might not have a office/crew operating in your area yet.)
Probably your best bet is to hit up any neighbors with solar on their homes and ask what company they used and how their experience was. Think like you're shopping for...I don't know, an electrician or roofing contractor. You shouldn't need to become an expert in solar to get a quality system, you just need to hire people who are.
posted by gueneverey at 9:27 AM on June 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
Generally speaking, I would focus less on what panels/technology these guys are advertising to you, I expect you're right on about that being mostly pointless marketing. They've each decided X and Y brands are the best value for their target customers. But most small to mid-sized companies should be happy to install any panel that's possible to source and should offer both Enphase and SolarEdge, it's not like they have to be an authorized dealer or something.
Instead, I would look closer at the actual companies themselves. A quality company isn't going to install crap products. And like, you can have the nicest panels in the world, but they don't do you a bit of good if you can't turn your system on because it can't pass inspection. Or, say you have an issue some years down the road, will the company still be around to service your system or will they have pulled out of your area to chase greener pastures?
Unfortunately, I struggle to think of a reliable metric to judge solar companies by. Reviews on EnergySage and SolarReviews are...not what I'd call trustworthy. I would definitely confirm the company you go with does all their sales AND install in-house. Some places just make the sales, then they contract everything else out to some other company, which often does not produce a good result. (This will not necessarily be apparent from websites, and if they work in multiple states, they may do everything in-house in some areas, but might not have a office/crew operating in your area yet.)
Probably your best bet is to hit up any neighbors with solar on their homes and ask what company they used and how their experience was. Think like you're shopping for...I don't know, an electrician or roofing contractor. You shouldn't need to become an expert in solar to get a quality system, you just need to hire people who are.
posted by gueneverey at 9:27 AM on June 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
Door-to-door salesmen are not the best source of information no matter the industry. It's not surprising they've jumbled things up in your head.
The main thing to know is how large a system in kilowatts you want (or can afford). From there you can just multiply by ~$2000/kW to get a ball park idea of a fair price for grid-tied in U.S. You want a system that includes monitoring. Beyond that, if it works, it works.
I've bought four pv solar systems in my lifetime, including one that just went officially live yesterday. How did I the choose the most recent installer? Honestly it was 80% because they are active in our local anti-pipeline efforts, 15% because I liked the salesman generally and only 5% being their solid and flexible system designs.
The two previous systems I bought were part of a Solar United Neighbors co-op in Maryland. I see they are active in Indiana too: https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/indiana/ or there may be other solar co-op opportunities in your area. A solar co-op is the really the no-brainer way to get a good system at a fair price. You are buying as a group of customers, so companies can offer bulk prices and you also benefit from the collective knowledge of the hive mind. Best yet, they are free to join and low-pressure to buy.
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 11:02 AM on June 23, 2021
The main thing to know is how large a system in kilowatts you want (or can afford). From there you can just multiply by ~$2000/kW to get a ball park idea of a fair price for grid-tied in U.S. You want a system that includes monitoring. Beyond that, if it works, it works.
I've bought four pv solar systems in my lifetime, including one that just went officially live yesterday. How did I the choose the most recent installer? Honestly it was 80% because they are active in our local anti-pipeline efforts, 15% because I liked the salesman generally and only 5% being their solid and flexible system designs.
The two previous systems I bought were part of a Solar United Neighbors co-op in Maryland. I see they are active in Indiana too: https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/indiana/ or there may be other solar co-op opportunities in your area. A solar co-op is the really the no-brainer way to get a good system at a fair price. You are buying as a group of customers, so companies can offer bulk prices and you also benefit from the collective knowledge of the hive mind. Best yet, they are free to join and low-pressure to buy.
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 11:02 AM on June 23, 2021
Three things:
- Nthing EnergySage, less for the reviews and more for the organizing of quotes and efficient communications with installers
- Seconding gueneverey's post above in general
- Google "Solarize" programs and see if one is now operating (or EVER operated) in your area (they are time limited). If one ever pops up, jump on that immediately.
posted by intermod at 7:47 AM on June 24, 2021
- Nthing EnergySage, less for the reviews and more for the organizing of quotes and efficient communications with installers
- Seconding gueneverey's post above in general
- Google "Solarize" programs and see if one is now operating (or EVER operated) in your area (they are time limited). If one ever pops up, jump on that immediately.
posted by intermod at 7:47 AM on June 24, 2021
« Older how to pair 2 pairs of bluetooth headphones to a... | Tin (wo)man needs oil. Who can I get it from? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by caek at 2:25 PM on June 22, 2021