Hey everyone! I'm in the early planning stages of setting up my own solar installation and I'm curious about the real-world savings you all have experienced with your DIY solar systems. Have you found that going solar has helped you cut down your electricity costs compared to relying on the grid? I've seen some posts about systems paying for themselves in just a few years, so I wonder if there's a balance between the initial investment and what you save in the long run. I'd love to hear about your initial costs, how long it took for your system to pay itself off, and if that holds true for hybrid setups too!
5 Answers
Your local laws and pricing definitely play a big role. I installed a 20kW system for about $1 per watt. It’s saving me around $600 monthly! Once I factor in EV charging, my savings will likely increase. Just know that going for batteries adds to your costs, which can affect your savings in the long run.
It really depends on how much you're paying for electricity and how much you use. I invested around 15k EUR in my DIY setup, which includes 31 solar panels and a hybrid inverter. After 1.5 years, I’m saving about 1700 EUR per year, which could potentially shorten to about 5 years to recoup my costs if I get an EV! It’s been great since I hardly experience power outages now.
Going completely off-grid isn’t usually the most cost-effective choice unless necessary. If you’re looking at battery prices today, not having a hybrid setup seems like a missed opportunity. Generally, payback periods range from 5 to 10 years. Bigger systems typically mean lower costs per watt and can save you more overall!
I went with a grid-connected system but have an off-grid setup, which has worked out well in Florida. My system cost $17,500 after tax credits, and I’m looking at a 10-year payback period if energy rates stay the same. It’s been a lifesaver after storms too!
Prices for solar keep changing, especially with net metering rules shifting. So it might not be as quick to pay off now compared to before. My system is tied to the grid but doesn’t have batteries, so when the grid goes down, I’m left in the dark too. It’s a risky move!
Could you break down why grid-tied systems can’t offer power when the grid fails? I’m considering starting with a battery-less solar system.
That's a solid plan! I wonder though, why can't a grid-tied system without batteries provide power during outages? I've got a generator that works with an automatic transfer switch, can't something similar be done?