Success Stories and the not so successful ones (Maryland)....

[ddunn712]

Hello Everyone. This is my first post and was interested to hear about some of the experiences people have had in the Maryland area. Over the past few days I have been doing a tremendous amount of reading on the forum and appreciate the wealth of information here.

I would really like to hear back from those that have owned their solar systems for over a year, and whether the entire process has been worthwhile or not. Below are some examples of general questions.

- Is your RoI on target from original projections? If not what are some of the set backs?
- Have you had any issues with obtaining credits or incentives that were originally factored into your decision to go solar?
- Do you make as much off of the SREC's as you thought? Is the process of selling them what you thought it would be? Have the rates fluctuated much?
- Have you noticed a decrease in your equipment efficiency over the years or are they in line with the warranty?

Just a little background about myself, I am interested in purchasing a 12-13kW system and am leaning toward Canadian Solar. I am currently in the process of getting quotes from local installers, so any tips are welcome. Our power needs are about 19kWh/yr, but I realize that the size of the rear side of our roof (SW facing)is the limiting factor for the system. We really do not want to place panels on the front side of the house. The house is a development that is about 4 years, with no mature trees. I have seen that some have achieved pricing below $3.5/w and that is my end goal. Any recommended installers are also welcome.

Thanks,
David

[inetdog]

Be sure to check out Solar Reviews as well as the direct experience of Forum members.

[veritass]

Hello Everyone. This is my first post and was interested to hear about some of the experiences people have had in the Maryland area. Over the past few days I have been doing a tremendous amount of reading on the forum and appreciate the wealth of information here.

I would really like to hear back from those that have owned their solar systems for over a year, and whether the entire process has been worthwhile or not. Below are some examples of general questions.

- Is your RoI on target from original projections? If not what are some of the set backs?
- Have you had any issues with obtaining credits or incentives that were originally factored into your decision to go solar?
- Do you make as much off of the SREC's as you thought? Is the process of selling them what you thought it would be? Have the rates fluctuated much?
- Have you noticed a decrease in your equipment efficiency over the years or are they in line with the warranty?

Just a little background about myself, I am interested in purchasing a 12-13kW system and am leaning toward Canadian Solar. I am currently in the process of getting quotes from local installers, so any tips are welcome. Our power needs are about 19kWh/yr, but I realize that the size of the rear side of our roof (SW facing)is the limiting factor for the system. We really do not want to place panels on the front side of the house. The house is a development that is about 4 years, with no mature trees. I have seen that some have achieved pricing below $3.5/w and that is my end goal. Any recommended installers are also welcome.

Thanks,
David

You might want to wait a year or two to save some money since solar prices are coming down 10% a year. You also might be able to get more efficient solar panels if you wait.

[ddunn712]

Be sure to check out Solar Reviews as well as the direct experience of Forum members.

Thanks for the suggestion inetdog. I have been using Solar Reviews to narrow my search down for a good installer and it has been a valuable resource.

[ddunn712]

You might want to wait a year or two to save some money since solar prices are coming down 10% a year. You also might be able to get more efficient solar panels if you wait.

Thanks for the advice, I have thought about this as well. In my research I have seen that this has happened over the last 3 years.

[veritass]

Thanks for the advice, I have thought about this as well. In my research I have seen that this has happened over the last 3 years.

Price drops/efficiency will continue in the same direction. If you wait until 2019 you will save at least 20%. The only risk you run is that
state incentives or net metering policy might change in your state. You probably can get more efficient panels on your roof too.

[solar pete]

Hi All,

Just thought I would chime in on this one, I dont think panel prices are going to drop much more, in fact here in OZ panels have gone up slightly in the last 6 months, I know this has a lot to do with the weak Aussie dollar but in our dealings with Chinese manufacturers they have been pushing back hard and telling us to expect a price rise. Regarding panel efficiency, who cares, it makes no difference unless you are space constrained on your roof. In fact if I were looking to buy a system in the States right now and roof space was not an issue I would be asking companies to quote me on old stock panels as they will be happy to move them on and you should get a good price. Just my 2 cents, cheers.

[ddunn712]

Hi All,

Just thought I would chime in on this one, I dont think panel prices are going to drop much more, in fact here in OZ panels have gone up slightly in the last 6 months, I know this has a lot to do with the weak Aussie dollar but in our dealings with Chinese manufacturers they have been pushing back hard and telling us to expect a price rise. Regarding panel efficiency, who cares, it makes no difference unless you are space constrained on your roof. In fact if I were looking to buy a system in the States right now and roof space was not an issue I would be asking companies to quote me on old stock panels as they will be happy to move them on and you should get a good price. Just my 2 cents, cheers.

Thanks for that insight Solar Pete, I suppose no one can really predict the future of the market and the current incentives that are in place. You make some valid points here that I will definitely consider.

[JFinch57]

I'm in MD and did a self install that cost ~$1/W after MD $1K grant and all tax credits. Sold one SREC on Monday for $125 but a few months ago they were up to $165. I sell to Fletexchange and they only charge $1.50 commission/SREC. The funds are direct deposited on the next business day. Good luck with your system, SW panels should do OK. From my previous house the east and west panels did 80-90% of the south facing. Trees are your enemy!

[ddunn712]

I'm in MD and did a self install that cost ~$1/W after MD $1K grant and all tax credits. Sold one SREC on Monday for $125 but a few months ago they were up to $165. I sell to Fletexchange and they only charge $1.50 commission/SREC. The funds are direct deposited on the next business day. Good luck with your system, SW panels should do OK. From my previous house the east and west panels did 80-90% of the south facing. Trees are your enemy!

Hey JFinch57, thanks for the feedback on SREC. I will definitely check out Fletexchange. Where in MD are you? Normally I don't shy away from the DIY, but in this case I just don't care for the heights.

My roof faces 120 degrees, and is a 3 yr old house so no trees to worry about for the time being. Did you run an estimate on PV Watts? If so, are you finding your system to perform closely to the estimate?

Thanks.

[ddunn712]

Hey Jeff. Just curious, but what brand of panel did you go with and do you remember the cost/watt before incentives? Thanks. David

[JFinch57]

I'm in Harford County MD by the Conowingo Dam. All of my installation info was posted here https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...omplete-1-25-w . No, I am not tracking with PV Watts. My roof system is suffering from severe shade in the winter and should do well in the summer. My wife won't agree to trimming or cutting trees for now, but since it was a low cost self-install I'm still ahead of the game. I used Photowatt (Canadian) panels on the ground and Isophoton (USA) panels on the roof. Bought them and a lot of the stuff on eBay. I'm adding 6 more panels (Mo-Tech) to the ground array with Enphase M-250s as soon as the weather breaks. The Enphase site listing is here https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/...48852/overview .

[MDsolar]

Company: Advanced Solar Technologies
Size: 8kw
Location: Anne Arundel County
Price: 2.60 per/w
Solarworld mods w/ SolarEdge Inverter

Had great experience! Delt with Scott (owner) and not some sales person. Small company but very personable and did a great job.

[ddunn712]

I'm in Harford County MD by the Conowingo Dam. All of my installation info was posted here https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum...omplete-1-25-w . No, I am not tracking with PV Watts. My roof system is suffering from severe shade in the winter and should do well in the summer. My wife won't agree to trimming or cutting trees for now, but since it was a low cost self-install I'm still ahead of the game. I used Photowatt (Canadian) panels on the ground and Isophoton (USA) panels on the roof. Bought them and a lot of the stuff on eBay. I'm adding 6 more panels (Mo-Tech) to the ground array with Enphase M-250s as soon as the weather breaks. The Enphase site listing is here https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/...48852/overview .

Thanks for the insight Jeff. I wish I could do a self install, but I lack the comfort level to get on my 2 story roof and do the work. I was wondering did you have any issues pulling the electrical permit for your system, and if you did a regular grid install. Also, since you have shading issues did you consider the Solar Edge optimizers?

[DTMD12]

Company: Advanced Solar Technologies
Size: 8kw
Location: Anne Arundel County
Price: 2.60 per/w
Solarworld mods w/ SolarEdge Inverter

Had great experience! Delt with Scott (owner) and not some sales person. Small company but very personable and did a great job.

Hey MDSolar, do you mind me asking when you had your system installed, and what panel did you go with?