I've thought about installing solar panels on my roof for years. But when I factor in installation costs, it never makes sense because the local energy rates are pretty reasonable... Also, I live in Southeast, a place with plenty of sun but nowhere near the Southwest.

Solar panel prices fell hugely in the past years. Is there anything that could significantly reduce installation costs?

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apexalpha 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

PV is wildly expensive in the US.

Apparently you even need a permit from the grid operator for it.

Here in NL they come to your house a week after you call and your panels are up and connected in 4 hours or so.

	▲	briHass 3 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Labor for anything is expensive in the US. Parts/materials costs in contractor quotes are often padded so they aren't completely overshadowed by the labor portion. In any job where there's specialized knowledge or license restrictions (HVAC) or risk (walking on a roof), the floor for labor rates is usually 2-4x the materials cost. But, the real issue is that almost nobody pays cash upfront for their solar install. Between incentives, loans, and/or predatory PPAs, the prices lose touch with reality. See healthcare, college tuition, housing prices, etc. for similar scenarios where credit or third-parties distort the market.
	▲	maxerickson 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Residential is expensive anyway, larger installations are plenty viable. My town in a northern Michigan is installing solar to help stabilize the rates they offer (I pay about 11 cents per kWh).

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testing22321 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I’m in Canada, in a tight valley with tons of snow. The panels on my roof make $1000 a year, and over their lifetime I’ll save around $20,000.

Complete no brainer.

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raddan 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It is definitely true that the labor cost of a solar installation is the largest driver of cost. In my area, there are solar incentives to offset this. For example I was able to cover a large portion of the loan with a 0% interest rate through a state program. For the remaining portion my bank had a low(er) interest loan (like 5%) specifically for solar. And neither of these loans were home equity loans which psychologically made me happier to apply for them.

Another thing, if you have the space, is to consider a ground mount. Ground mount hardware adds a little cost, but it is a lot easier for a solar installer to set up, so they finish faster. Since labor is the biggest driver of cost, then it makes sense to build a very big array that doesn’t just offset your operating costs but completely eliminates it (well, net-eliminates it anyway).

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roland35 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Yeah solar viability is highly dependent on your local conditions and electricity costs. Also on your utility’s buyback program.

I have low electricity costs, no time of use pricing, and I don’t think I can sell back. I also live in a very cloudy city. So solar doesn’t make much sense!

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deepsquirrelnet 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Where I live in the west, the time to break even was projected at 7.5y for panels rated that run at 85% for 25y and expected lifetime of 30y.

I think the main consideration where I live is whether you can make the investment and if you plan on staying in your house long enough to realize the benefit. Also nearly all of the power I offset is from coal.