Free Solar Panel Installation for Honda owners if you buy the electricity they generate

Quote from Knighthawke : And how much did it cost , in your case to pre-pay for 20 years?

After comparing Solar Installers, I ended up going with a competitor of Solar City. My lease was only 15 years so I can not give you an accurate comparison.

For 15 years of a 6.27kW (a total of 33 panels) system, it was right around $7,500. Fortunately for me, I have already seen a sizable ROI, since June of 2012 my system has produced 5.5kw. So as you can see it is definitely out performing their estimate. If anyone has any other questions feel free to send me a PM and I'll try to answer your questions.

darn, I park my Honda in the garage, so a solar panel on it won't do much good.

Quote from pizzaslut : I had the same deal with Solyndra and now they won't return my calls.

Say Thanx to OBIE (if u voted for his re election) for scam pulled by this company on our TAX PAYERS money courtesy of Mr. OBIE

Quote from cato_x3 : Question for you. What happens if you start using more energy than the panels create?

Then I pay the going rate my utility company charges everyone else. Keep in mind light bulbs, appliances, etc are becoming more energy efficient. So what is the likelyhood of that? It could happen when I convert my whole house to electric. But think of what my non-solar electric bill plus gas bill would be vs what it will be after an all electric house using solar panels?

Quote from nikecmh : I don't think this has anything to do with Honda/Acura owners. If you go to SolarCity's website, they offer the same $750 savings. I signed up and filled out my report. Wait and see what happens.

Fine print says Honda customers may be eligible for an additional discount on top of the $750. Whatever that may be. I have 2 Hondas, that should be good for something

If it sounds too good to be true then IT IS. SolarCity is a scammer that gets the money out of pockets of taxpayers and sells taxpayers money to consumers.
With solar, consumers should be entitled to the benefits NOT SolarCity.

For those who are considering signing up with SolarCity, read the fine print in your contracts and don't get overly excited about the alleged savings they promise you. Solarcity will sell you electricity at a cheaper rate for the first year, but there is an ESCALATION rate that will jack your price up year over year and you will end up paying Solarcity higher rates than what your neighbor is paying to utility. There is no escape then as you have already signed a 20-year contract with the new utility shark in town. BE WARNED!

Quote from tru-seeker : If it sounds too good to be true then IT IS. SolarCity is a scammer that gets the money out of pockets of taxpayers and sells taxpayers money to consumers. With solar, consumers should be entitled to the benefits NOT SolarCity.

Selling money to consumers? What does that even mean? How do you sell money?

Consumers are entitled to benefits for solar installations but if you don't buy the panels, you don't get the benefits.

what if you move/sell the house??

Quote from tru-seeker : For those who are considering signing up with SolarCity, read the fine print in your contracts and don't get overly excited about the alleged savings they promise you. Solarcity will sell you electricity at a cheaper rate for the first year, but there is an ESCALATION rate that will jack your price up year over year and you will end up paying Solarcity higher rates than what your neighbor is paying to utility. There is no escape then as you have already signed a 20-year contract with the new utility shark in town. BE WARNED!

We just installed a 7KW system in CT in Dec. Cost was $29k & after CT & Fed incentives our cost was $12K. We used SolarWorld panels & PowerOne inverters. Assuming my system lasts 25yrs, I figured I'd have a 6% annual ROI if electric rates rise 1 cent per yr for the next 25 yrs. I factored in replacing the inverters once, removal/replacement of the panels once & an output loss of 1%/yr. Solar requires the incentives to be worth the cost. The warranty on most panels is 25 yrs, but have a lifespan of 30-40 yrs (depending on manufacturer). SolarCity is a large company using many different panel brands. Be sure you know what brands of panel, inverter & mounts they will use. Almost every panel manufacturer is financially stressed right now, so the 25 yr warranty might be moot. Try to select a manufacturer with a proven track record of quality. If you choose Sunpower panels, they use a positive ground. That's ok unless they go out of business & you need to replace the panel sometime in the future with a different manufacturer - all of which use a negative ground. Get MANY quotes. I had quotes for similar systems varying by $15k. I also did not factor in an increase in home value. Some buyers will not like the fact that they'll have the cost to replace the inverters or have to pay extra for the roof replacement. Other buyers will be happy that the electric bill is minimal. If you decide you will lease the panels, do some research to be sure it will not impact your (or a future buyer's) ability to get a mortgage. Supposedly some are running into issues trying to refi if they are leasing a roof-mounted array.

Quote from The6thArmy : So do they just kind of average out what your monthly bill is now & charge you a little less? I don't see how they can make money if they are having to pay for the cost of the equipment & it's installation & maintainence. Unless there is some huge gov't subsidy for this stuff (inwhich case, I'm already paying for it, why not have it). Also, I guess you have to check your local codes to see if your city allows for the ugly-ass panels to be installed on your roof.

It is not only a matter of "ugly looking panels".
Your city/town (Shrewsbury, MA is an example) may force you to install a switch that prevents you from pumping electricity back to grid if you generate more than you consume.
The logic behind it is very simple: if, for whatever reason, town shut down the power, town wants to be 100% sure there is no power on wires and crew can work safely.
If this is the case, all government rebates are void.

Quote from m00ky : Selling money to consumers? What does that even mean? How do you sell money? Consumers are entitled to benefits for solar installations but if you don't buy the panels, you don't get the benefits.

Read my other post. I am in the solar business and I know exactly how Solarcity is making money out of consumers' benefits and government's rebates.

Solarcity banks the SRECs, the rebates and the Tax Credit, and you end up committed to a new utility shark company whose rates are going 4% year over year (while your utility company may not be going as high as that).

Challenge them to run their model retroactively on the last 10-15 years and see for yourself if you would have saved a nickel on your energy.

Quote from vickh : what if you move/sell the house??

If you lease the system the lease transfers to new homeowner. Credit worthiness is not a factor.

If you own the panels I would expect a return on my investment. I am not sure what the return is for a solar panel system. Consult an EXPERIENCED r/e broker and even they may not have encountered many sales yet with these installed.

Quote from freeguy007 : We just installed a 7KW system in CT in Dec. Cost was $29k & after CT & Fed incentives our cost was $12K. We used SolarWorld panels & PowerOne inverters. Assuming my system lasts 25yrs, I figured I'd have a 6% annual ROI if electric rates rise 1 cent per yr for the next 25 yrs. I factored in replacing the inverters once, removal/replacement of the panels once & an output loss of 1%/yr. Solar requires the incentives to be worth the cost. The warranty on most panels is 25 yrs, but have a lifespan of 30-40 yrs (depending on manufacturer). SolarCity is a large company using many different panel brands. Be sure you know what brands of panel, inverter & mounts they will use. Almost every panel manufacturer is financially stressed right now, so the 25 yr warranty might be moot. Try to select a manufacturer with a proven track record of quality. If you choose Sunpower panels, they use a positive ground. That's ok unless they go out of business & you need to replace the panel sometime in the future with a different manufacturer - all of which use a negative ground. Get MANY quotes. I had quotes for similar systems varying by $15k. I also did not factor in an increase in home value. Some buyers will not like the fact that they'll have the cost to replace the inverters or have to pay extra for the roof replacement. Other buyers will be happy that the electric bill is minimal. If you decide you will lease the panels, do some research to be sure it will not impact your (or a future buyer's) ability to get a mortgage. Supposedly some are running into issues trying to refi if they are leasing a roof-mounted array.

Absolutely! Buying/leasing your own panels is a wiser decision than to get Solarcity's PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) and the likes running away with the benefits.