Hey guys/gals. I know zip about solar panels. My wife and I have now been approached twice about free installation and maintenance from Trinity. Apparently they own the equipment and there is no out of pocket expense on our part. The government seems to pay Trinity as an incentive to use renewable energy and we get a lower monthly energy bill. Am I missing something? Anyone been down this road? Thanks
OT: Questions about free solar panels
- Thread starter jreinsdorf
- Start date
There is no free lunch. Maybe the only cost is a leaky roof but there is no free lunch.
I dont know the terms of the contract, but for me it begins and ends with the fact that they want to bolt equipment you don't own to the roof of your house. I would assume they are also taking more than the excess power. If they are only taking the excess power, ie. your power bill will go to zero but not below, maybe it makes sense, but if they are always taking the excess energy generated, and you have to pay when there is a shortfall, that isn't a great deal for you.
Check that company out through the BBB.
Remember Trinity owns those panels and if you get into a dispute with that company and want them to remove it, make sure you find out if it will cost you before you agree to putting them up.
Roof restored to the way it was before might cost if you decide you don't like having solar panels.
You'll be paying less with those panels for the energy produced, but make sure your utility company isn't going to be charging you on top of what you'll be paying Trinity for the energy thos panals produce or for leasing them for a set price.
If you think you want solar panels, check out solar loan programs that have no money down but after paid off you own system.
I know very little about the solar industry but found out what I posted after googling for info.
Remember Trinity owns those panels and if you get into a dispute with that company and want them to remove it, make sure you find out if it will cost you before you agree to putting them up.
Roof restored to the way it was before might cost if you decide you don't like having solar panels.
You'll be paying less with those panels for the energy produced, but make sure your utility company isn't going to be charging you on top of what you'll be paying Trinity for the energy thos panals produce or for leasing them for a set price.
If you think you want solar panels, check out solar loan programs that have no money down but after paid off you own system.
I know very little about the solar industry but found out what I posted after googling for info.
Though I love the idea of solar, alternate energy sources etc, there is no way I'm putting them on my roof.
Many insurance companies are declining new risks with solar panels. Some are starting to non-renew policies with them as well.. The concerns are that in the event of a fire, water is not able to be poured on the roof and with the additional weight on the top of the structure, the firemen are being pulled from the home a lot sooner over concerns that the roof will collapse quicker. Also, there is concern of continued electric power throughout the home even though it has been shut.
How are the panels handled when it is time to replace your roof? Who takes care of the expense of removing them?
Is the contract transferrable? Not sure which solar company it was, but a friend was looking into buying an investment property, but it had solar panels, and there was a huge issue with the contract on them. He ended up backing out of the deal. He apparently wasn't the first person to walk away from the home for that reason.
Many insurance companies are declining new risks with solar panels. Some are starting to non-renew policies with them as well.. The concerns are that in the event of a fire, water is not able to be poured on the roof and with the additional weight on the top of the structure, the firemen are being pulled from the home a lot sooner over concerns that the roof will collapse quicker. Also, there is concern of continued electric power throughout the home even though it has been shut.
How are the panels handled when it is time to replace your roof? Who takes care of the expense of removing them?
Is the contract transferrable? Not sure which solar company it was, but a friend was looking into buying an investment property, but it had solar panels, and there was a huge issue with the contract on them. He ended up backing out of the deal. He apparently wasn't the first person to walk away from the home for that reason.
I put a simple 4 panel bank in my backyard and added 4 marine batteries......I live in Fla(and my area wont LET you go off grid) but it lowers my ONgrid electric usage........my July bill WITH air on 24/7 was $47 ......
Not sure if my experience is similar to yours, but I was approached by Vivint solar company. They would install the panels on my roof at their expense. I would pay a lower electric rate than PSE&G. I would enter into a contract for 25 years for this. I said no, for many reasons. They panels would be the property of Vivint on my roof for 25 years. What if I sell the house? What if the roof needs repair? Considering the rapid advances in technology, what will the alternative energy generation situation be in 5, 10 or 20 years? I thought back to the advances in PCs, cell phones, etc in the past 20 years and realized that in maybe 15 years those panels might be dinosaurs and I would be paying what probably will be a premium over existing electricity rates.
Like another poster said, if you go to sell your house the panels complicate matters because you don't own them.
People who find this to be a problem have ignorant Realtors and lazy lawyers. Is it an issue? Yes. Is it something that should bust up a deal? Hell no. I have handled so many transactions that involved solar panels, and they are not a big deal. There's usually a relatively light transfer fee on the contract, $500 or so, and the seller will usually have to pick that up.
It seems to me that "free solar panels" are in the same general realm of fantasy as "free blowjobs".
I agree with the poster who suggested changing light bulbs as a first measure - I replaced all the bulbs in my house with LEDs and my electricity usage went down by about 30% from that alone. The bulbs are expensive as shit, but they paid off, in total, in the first year.
I agree with the poster who suggested changing light bulbs as a first measure - I replaced all the bulbs in my house with LEDs and my electricity usage went down by about 30% from that alone. The bulbs are expensive as shit, but they paid off, in total, in the first year.
I have tall trees in my backyard, and I would have to take them down to do solar. I don't like the idea.
I am curious about how roof repairs can be handled with solar panels.
I am curious about how roof repairs can be handled with solar panels.
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