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VTHokie2000
Joined: 01/01/2005
Posts: 41,416
Likes: 17,028
VTHokie2000

I agree with you about the laws of diminishing returns. What I think may

be the bigger wild card is what does that mean in terms of business models. It is clear a company probably can't specialize in the proper disposal of solar panel systems because the work isn't sustainable. For companies that install the systems or specialize in disposal of all materials, how much investment do they want to commit to the disposal of solar panel systems when the gaps in the life cycle may be 20+ years apart? The investment in this case could include research cost on the potential different ways to dispose of the system and/or the impacts of each potential way. Research cost could even be higher than most because federal and/or state policies could change significantly between the peak disposal times.
Posted: 04/04/2025 at 09:59 AM ET
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)

Thread Replies (59)

Full Thread →
Anybody here go solar with their home?
HokieGator • 04/02/25 08:34 PM ET
Another consideration with long-term financing
Tafkam Hokie • 04/03/25 04:15 PM ET
I think we were supposed to have someone come out and tell us how feasible
AbsolutVT03 • 04/03/25 03:42 PM ET
Just be very careful of the company. Sounds like you found a good one...
RUHokie • 04/03/25 08:21 AM ET
Looked at it 2x over 10 years, we never stay put long enough for a return
WestyHokie • 04/03/25 07:55 AM ET
One counter point. Most people finance a house when they buy. If the
Late 80s Hokie • 04/03/25 09:12 AM ET
If they buy into it, maybe
WestyHokie • 04/03/25 11:20 AM ET
Yes, they'd need a basic understanding of how that financial view works.
Late 80s Hokie • 04/03/25 11:52 AM ET
Home I bought in Palm Spring CA has Tesla installed panels on a lease with
DonHo-kieHi • 04/03/25 08:13 AM ET
In Early 2018, we contracted for 25 solar panels. They were installed in
Late 80s Hokie • 04/03/25 07:11 AM ET
Yeah, the more stories I hear, that price seems much higher than it should
HokieGator • 04/03/25 08:32 AM ET
This thread is one of the many reasons I
Spudnut • 04/02/25 11:03 PM ET
Yes, went solar 4 years ago
Hokie Chris • 04/02/25 10:23 PM ET
This is the company I have been talking to. **
HokieGator • 04/02/25 10:29 PM ET
They’ve completed a few projects in my neighborhood and haven’t heard any
VTBUCKLEY • 04/03/25 03:53 PM ET
I could afford it, so we just bought ours
Hokie Chris • 04/02/25 10:34 PM ET
The tax credit and SREC just goes toward paying down the loan.
HokieGator • 04/02/25 10:39 PM ET
Yeah I’m giving away free electricity to AEP
Hokie Chris • 04/02/25 10:59 PM ET
So they don't pay you for the electricity you provide them?
EDGEMAN • 04/03/25 06:08 AM ET
I get credit, but I’m making 9% more than I use on an annual basis
Hokie Chris • 04/03/25 07:33 AM ET
How long do they let you roll over the credit?
EDGEMAN • 04/03/25 08:56 AM ET
I'm not 100% sure, but I think it is FIFO, so it should roll over every
Hokie Chris • 04/03/25 09:33 AM ET
Yes, twice. Once on CT, once in NY
Late 80s Hokie • 04/02/25 10:22 PM ET
Just an FYI because they generally do not tell you this.
VTBUCKLEY • 04/02/25 08:59 PM ET
When our swim club went solar I noted this
Happy Dog • 04/03/25 05:21 AM ET
A few years ago I saw a news report indicating that the industry has not
VTHokie2000 • 04/02/25 09:49 PM ET
Honestly not sure on this one.
VTBUCKLEY • 04/02/25 10:02 PM ET
Not nearly as "green" as they're portrayed.
vthokieq • 04/03/25 09:45 AM ET
Yeah I was trying to be nice. 😊
VTBUCKLEY • 04/03/25 03:58 PM ET
Once the industry figures out that puzzle, then we might see a sudden boom
VTHokie2000 • 04/02/25 10:11 PM ET
I think as solar panels become more efficient...
EDGEMAN • 04/03/25 06:17 AM ET
It will be interesting to see how the industry evolves as the technology
VTHokie2000 • 04/04/25 08:22 AM ET
I know there's a limit on how efficient those panels can become...
EDGEMAN • 04/04/25 09:38 AM ET
I agree with you about the laws of diminishing returns. What I think may ◄
VTHokie2000 • 04/04/25 09:59 AM ET
I don't think they have a good way to recycle/dispose of them now, so...
EDGEMAN • 04/04/25 10:04 AM ET
I agree with your assumption. At some point someone will probably need to
VTHokie2000 • 04/04/25 10:06 AM ET
Maybe AI will come up with a solution?**
EDGEMAN • 04/04/25 10:38 AM ET
That is something I thought about. It would suck to always have that
HokieGator • 04/02/25 09:04 PM ET
Understandable and correct.
VTBUCKLEY • 04/02/25 09:12 PM ET
I will chime in here. I'm in the Keys, so I am interested in solar because,
Coach McGuirk • 04/02/25 09:43 PM ET
Have you looked at roof shingles that generate power?
EDGEMAN • 04/03/25 06:26 AM ET
Yeah, I have seen those "shingles". Very cool technology. I basically just
Coach McGuirk • 04/03/25 07:03 AM ET
One last thing. Make sure to check with your home insurance provider
VTBUCKLEY • 04/02/25 09:14 PM ET
Never heard of that one. I will say, you need to let them know if you’ve
Stork • 04/03/25 04:11 AM ET
It’s not largely an issue to outright not insure homes but….
VTBUCKLEY • 04/03/25 05:30 PM ET
What's the payoff timeline?**
MP4VT2004 • 04/02/25 08:37 PM ET
Financed for 25 years. Can pay off early.
HokieGator • 04/02/25 08:44 PM ET
Storage options? Are they selling any excess back to AEP?
vthokieq • 04/02/25 08:50 PM ET
Currently AEP buys back at a 1:1 ratio, that’s about to change so that you
HokieGator • 04/02/25 08:59 PM ET
Do you get the buy back or are they pocketing that till you pay it off??
vthokieq • 04/02/25 09:03 PM ET
There is so much that it's overwhelming. I'm still not sure how the buyback
HokieGator • 04/02/25 09:47 PM ET
How many panels?
Late 80s Hokie • 04/02/25 10:27 PM ET
29 of this brand...
HokieGator • 04/02/25 10:31 PM ET
Can I ask what company you are working with?**
VTBUCKLEY • 04/02/25 11:00 PM ET
Check out my reply above. **
HokieGator • 04/03/25 06:49 AM ET
Sorry I should have been more clear, I meant company selling and installer**
VTBUCKLEY • 04/03/25 07:54 AM ET
Here:**
HokieGator • 04/03/25 08:26 AM ET
Hmmm...I would tread very carefully. That sounds like a lot of money.
Coach McGuirk • 04/02/25 10:13 PM ET
Yeah, I was going to say - there is zero chance I'd pay $70k+ for solar.
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/25 01:09 PM ET
I mean, a constant payment vs an ever increasing, variable one
hoosnowahokie • 04/02/25 08:48 PM ET