I'm looking into installing solar panels for my home, but I've received quotes around $40,000, which seems excessive for me. At 76 years old, I won't be enjoying long-term benefits, but I'd like to add 6-8 panels to run about 6-8 circuits in my house using approximately 100 amps. I'm struggling to understand what batteries, inverters, wiring, and transfer switches I would need. My electricity consumption varies from 1,000 to 1,400 kWh over the course of a year. Can anyone help clarify what I'm realistically looking at in terms of costs and setups?
4 Answers
It sounds like you’ve got a good starting point, but first, consider your options for panel mounting. Instead of roof-mounted panels, which might complicate maintenance, you could go for a ground-mounted system. Also, make sure to check for a spot that gets plenty of sun exposure! If you’re up for a DIY project, there are many resources online, like YouTube, where you can learn about simple solar setups that could be a fraction of the cost. Some vendor sites even have tools to help design your system, which can be super useful for understanding the math involved! Best of luck with your solar journey!
I can totally relate! When I was your age, I faced similar tough choices about solar. First up, check your annual kWh usage and the fixed monthly fees from your utility—those don’t get cut down with solar! Also, find out how your utility compensates you for the extra energy sent back to the grid; it’ll help you assess how much solar you’ll need. Don’t forget about the 30% tax credit—which is a big deal if it’s still around when you invest. I managed to put together a good setup by sourcing parts online and doing the wiring myself, which ended up being way more affordable, around $1/kW!
Honestly, I think you should reconsider! Just my two cents, but diving into solar might not be the best move for you at your age. There are simpler options out there that don't involve such a hefty investment. Just saying!
You might want to go for a grid-tied system instead. With this setup, you just need the panels and a grid-tie inverter, which eliminates the need for batteries or controllers. The downside? If there's a power outage, so is your solar! Alternatively, if you decide to go with batteries, you'll need enough to cover your daily usage—averaging about 1200 kWh a month translates to around 40 kWh a day. Be aware that storage batteries can be quite pricey; expect around $15,000 just for that!