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Who is your source for Solar Panels? #2860909
12/16/20 05:02 PM
12/16/20 05:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG Offline OP
top fuel
RobG  Offline OP
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Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
My son and I have a farm in Northern Michigan west of Kalkaska (He is running it 95% of the time). We have a barn that has no power. I would like to put up a few solar panels up that can run 4 shop LED 4-foot long light bars and possible power heat lamps for the chicks when needed.

I have read a few post online about some panels, but there are always a few reports that say stay away from these units. Do you use solar panels, which brands do you have success with and how much cash do you have invested into your system?

Running power lines to the barn is approximately $2500 to $3000 (and you still have the monthly bill).


I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!

Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: RobG] #2868681
01/03/21 10:48 PM
01/03/21 10:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,275
near Harrisburg, Pa
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440trk Offline
master
440trk  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,275
near Harrisburg, Pa
I have a few friends who have used Tesla and were very happy with both the service and the results. I will likely be looking into them for the new house as well...

https://www.tesla.com/solarpanels

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: 440trk] #2868697
01/03/21 11:27 PM
01/03/21 11:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
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jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Maybe related, its well known that solar cells have a limited useful life span, is that impacted at by still boxed, on the shelf storage?


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: jcc] #2868702
01/03/21 11:38 PM
01/03/21 11:38 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: jcc] #2868717
01/04/21 12:15 AM
01/04/21 12:15 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,857
Oregon
hooziewhatsit Offline
master
hooziewhatsit  Offline
master

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,857
Oregon
Originally Posted by jcc
Maybe related, its well known that solar cells have a limited useful life span, is that impacted at by still boxed, on the shelf storage?


Good question, though I doubt not being exposed to sun harms them much work

Most are rated for at least 80% of their initial output after ~20 years of use, so sitting in the box for a while won't really hurt them. Even then they aren't "dead" or completely useless, they just don't output as much as they did when new.


If you ever find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.
Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: 440trk] #2868854
01/04/21 01:46 PM
01/04/21 01:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG Offline OP
top fuel
RobG  Offline OP
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Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
Tesla states they do not serve our area.


I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!

Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: RobG] #2868876
01/04/21 02:21 PM
01/04/21 02:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

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Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Originally Posted by RobG
Tesla states they do not serve our area.


I wonder why? Do you receive a LOT of sun where you are at?

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #2868895
01/04/21 03:09 PM
01/04/21 03:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 534
boston mass-moving to long isl...
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massdaytona Offline
mopar
massdaytona  Offline
mopar
M

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 534
boston mass-moving to long isl...

i've done our '3' houses ... all with sunpower.. 1st house is with their 327;s, the other two with 335's - all with solaredge equipment - all have a 25year bumper to bumper warr... which is great... provided they are in bizz in 25yrs - over the 7years we have had em, we have had a few of the solaredge optimizers crap out , and all replaced without cost to us... and the panels do lose some power over time, but its hard to gauge... for instance nov and dec of 2020 have produced better then nov and dec of 2015- its all a question of the weather...

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: RobG] #2868927
01/04/21 04:35 PM
01/04/21 04:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
The NB Vermont
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dustaboy74 Offline
member
dustaboy74  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
The NB Vermont
I just had panels installed on my 40x36 barn in Iowa and they cover most of one half the roof. The company I worked with was Green Solar and they use LG solar panels and have a 25 year warranty. Shoot me a pm if you want more information as far as contact details and can use me as a reference as they will do all the design work and then work with local electric companies for install.

-Zack

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: dustaboy74] #2868941
01/04/21 04:58 PM
01/04/21 04:58 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 60
Maryland
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gofastboater Offline
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 60
Maryland
I have Vivint. Installed for free thru Govt and power co. agreement. I was VERY skeptical at 1st but after 2 1/2 years I'm very satisfied with outcome.

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: pittsburghracer] #2869093
01/04/21 09:26 PM
01/04/21 09:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197
Omaha Ne
T
TJP Offline
I Live Here
TJP  Offline
I Live Here
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197
Omaha Ne
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.


How did he manage that ?? beer

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: TJP] #2869136
01/04/21 11:00 PM
01/04/21 11:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.


How did he manage that ?? beer



I honestly don’t know but I’ve seen advertisements for it. I know I wouldn’t want it because it sure uglies up the whole house spread across the roof like his is. I’ll pay my electric bill.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: pittsburghracer] #2869364
01/05/21 03:22 PM
01/05/21 03:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 534
boston mass-moving to long isl...
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massdaytona Offline
mopar
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 534
boston mass-moving to long isl...
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.

How did he manage that ?? beer

I honestly don’t know but I’ve seen advertisements for it. I know I wouldn’t want it because it sure uglies up the whole house spread across the roof like his is. I’ll pay my electric bill.


my bro lives in PA, in the poconos ... he pays like 6.9cents a kwh for power- it would take him close to 15+ yrs to pay off the panels- its senseless in areas where electric is so cheap...

Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: massdaytona] #2869408
01/05/21 04:40 PM
01/05/21 04:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
Originally Posted by massdaytona
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.

How did he manage that ?? beer

I honestly don’t know but I’ve seen advertisements for it. I know I wouldn’t want it because it sure uglies up the whole house spread across the roof like his is. I’ll pay my electric bill.


my bro lives in PA, in the poconos ... he pays like 6.9cents a kwh for power- it would take him close to 15+ yrs to pay off the panels- its senseless in areas where electric is so cheap...






Ya I think my last bill was 65.00 and that’s running the gas blower on the furnace, 220 volt well pump, everyday house usage, shop lights, welder, flowbench, 8 horsepower air compressor, and a few other goodies. Air conditioning in the summer usually drives it over 100.00


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: pittsburghracer] #2869908
01/06/21 05:39 PM
01/06/21 05:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
RobG Offline OP
top fuel
RobG  Offline OP
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,326
Addison Twp, Mi.
I just went to one website and put all my info in to see the estimated cost. It was over $17,000. I will trench and have an electrician pull lines in the Spring..


I am not rich...but I get off my ass everyday to make sure I am not broke!

Can we get the Mexican cartels to help us with our supply chain issues? They don't seem to have any trouble getting stuff from one place to another.
Re: Who is your source for Solar Panels? [Re: TJP] #2869941
01/06/21 06:12 PM
01/06/21 06:12 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,020
N.W. Florida
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Fat_Mike Offline
master
Fat_Mike  Offline
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,020
N.W. Florida
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


My buddy 3 miles from me in Pa had his whole house done for free. Check into it.


How did he manage that ?? beer


Around these parts Gulf Power works with solar companies to solicit door-to-door for customers to install solar (not off the grid, but connected to it). They survey your electric bills, and work up an estimate to install solar panels on your home sufficient for your usage to be neutral. I would be connected to the power grid, and the meter turns both directions. At the end of the year, if I'm in a deficit, I owe Gulf power whatever that's worth. If I'm in surplus, Gulf Power gets that for free. HOWEVER, the system isn't free. The cost estimate for me was around $25K on a 20-year loan. The payments on that loan are equal (+/-) to my average monthly electric bill. But if my system happens to last longer than that 20 year loan, I get free electricity for however long they last. The panels they tried to sell me have a 25 year warranty.







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