My mind is blown. Where does the electricity company gain a profit? Just unused electricity that they give a credit for?
Anybody use Solar Panels?
- Thread starter Pazzoman
- Start date
If you generate more than you use your service backfeeds the grid. Once in the grid it will go to other customers who need it to meet their needs reducing the amount tthat the utility needs to generate so you get a credit. The credit is much lower than what you pay, probably comparable to what it costs the utility to generate it.
I'm talking about 2 different companies. PG&E is the major electricity company on the west coast. They are the ones that have the power grid that all homes are connected to.
APG Solar is our local solar company that you pay your solar usage to.
When the solar panels create more power than you are consuming the PG&E meter runs backwards (it's a pretty cool thing to see). If the number on the meter is lower this month than it was last month PG&E credits your bill. If it is higher (consuming more power than the panels created) PG&E charges you for your consumption. Some months you pay 2 electric bills, some months you only pay one.
Sent from my mind to my fingers to my phone to the MFK servers to you
yes, they are definitely worth it. I have created 70,955 kwh since installing my 7kw system.at $.31/kwh (my tier 5 electric rate) I have saved myself $21996.00 in electric charges.i am going to guess and say my system is 4 years old.depending on your electric rates and what your paying for electricity,some systems pay for themselves quickly and others don't.i believe $.31/kwh is some of the most expensive rates in the country.you have to look at your bill and see what your paying to decide if investing the money is worth it and how long it will take to pay off your system.my net cost was right around $25k after rebates but I permitted and installed my own system.
the only maint. I have done is usually once a month I climb on the roof and wash them off with car wash and a wash mitt.mostly for appearance but it also produces more power when they are clean. here in southern California, our air is filthy and my panels are covered in soot in a couple weeks time. hopefully this answers your questions. personally, I think it is a wise investment that not only saves you $$ but increases your homes value.
