PV Gap

Arlene Said:

Are solar panel prices ever going to come down?

We Answered:

They are coming down and more states are helping with rebates. My break even time frame is about 6 years for my system, it would have been closer to 10 without the rebates. If you consider my system is guaranteed for 25 years, I'll be getting 19 years of free energy and the electric rates go up at least 5% annually.

There is anothe way to make it more affordable. Several solar companies are offering lease options. Most lease rates are based on your current electric rate. With no up front costs you lock in your electric rate for 20 years.

Earl Said:

Does anyone know the name to an up and coming solar company that was on tv? (Science or Discovery Channel)?

We Answered:

Konarka

Elaine Said:

Looking for a reliable source for monocrystalline photovoltaic panels?

We Answered:

shop in china, HUDIWAILING
B and Q in England (all over) big brand
LEAIDER
in france

Albert Said:

Looking into a solar electricity lease. Seeking advise/information sharing..?

We Answered:

I didn't notice an annual cost mentioned in your question. If the cost of the leased system is equal to the portion of your electricity bill that would be displaced, I'd say the lease is a good deal. Electricity has increased at about a 6% rate over the years, I believe.

You'll have to check the contract to see what would happen if you move. Possibly, the balance will be due in full, or they'll reposess the panels. Will they put a lien against your house on account of this, or are the panels themselves the only security?

Possible red flags:

- They pressure you to sign on the spot.
- They don't have the full contract handy.
- They are selling a future installation, and have no examples of their installs in your neighborhood.
- They want the deposit long in advance of the actual work being done. (There are many scams where you give a deposit, and you never see them again.)
- They do not have a physical office, where you can drop by and see stacks of panels, inverters, wire, conduit, tools, and other things necessary for an installation by a real company.
- There is no performance guarantee, but the price is fixed. If the deal is you would pay $x per kWh produced, great. But without a performance guarantee, they could put up a cheap, crappy system that hardly saves you any electricity, and you would owe on the lease for the next 15 years, on top of your regular electricity bill.
- There is no provision in the contract for what happens if the system breaks. What if they put up something substandard that breaks after a year, and produces no electricity thereafter? Is it your responsibility to get it fixed? Are you forgiven your lease payment until it is fixed?

Note that the lease-to-own scheme is not the usual way that people choose to get panels installed. With the exception of large corporations that put up on the order of a megawatt of panels, I know of no one who leases.

If this is a company that also does conventional installs (the homeowner owns it outright), and you are able to find references of their work in your area that you can visit, I'd be more inclined to trust them.

Jennifer Said:

How's that Spanish "green economy" working? Why won't it work without TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES!?

We Answered:

Are you kidding - did you see algore's new $8million dollar beach house ??

The green scam is very lucrative - at least for the folks on top, like algore and his new honey