My closest neighbor installed solar panels on his home approximately two years ago and I was curious regarding any benefits he was receiving. The first questions I asked him were somewhat obvious.
“Why did you decide to go solar? Are they expensive? Are they worth it?”
Answers to these would most likely be the most important for anyone considering adding solar to their home. In regards to why, again, the answer that came back seemed obvious: lower utility costs but also protecting the environment by lowering the carbon footprint. With more electricity being supplied by the panels, there is less need for coal or nuclear power. My neighbor, George, decided on entering into a lease program for the panels versus paying upfront. He looked at several companies that offer adding solar before making his selection. He added that he was also influenced by an article in the Sun Day News regarding another home in Del Webb that had gone the solar route.
His system went live just after Thanksgiving 2019. All he had to do once he got the OK from ComEd was to flip a switch and he was immediately on the grid. Obviously, you don’t get as much savings in the winter months as you do during summer, but the program overall, for him, has been cost-effective.
The company he chose was Sunrun Illinois. They work in conjunction with ComEd and take care of all the necessary paperwork required prior to installation. Sunrun submitted the external modification forms to Sun City, building permits to Huntley, and the documentation ComEd required. The approval process took about 3 months. One thing he discovered was that ComEd would decide how many solar panels to install based upon his past usage. So far, that has not been an issue. Should his usage increase, he can elect to add more panels. With all the paperwork in place, installation took 1 day, that’s correct, one day, and with the flip of the switch, he was online and saving money. One other item to consider: the state of your roof. The solar company inspected his roof to see if it was new enough for the panels. If not, you might have to replace your roof first.
OK, you ask, how much is he saving? He does have a monthly lease payment and does still get an electric bill but overall, he knows he is still saving money, approximately $800 a year in electrical cost. The bill from ComEd will always be there as there are certain items: delivery charges, tax, etc., that don’t go away, but they are less now because he is pumping into the system versus taking energy out.
From April to September, he builds electrical credits since he isn’t using all the energy the panels produce, and yes, the meter spins backward. The credits build until he needs them, generally the other six months of the year. The panels do work even on winter days just not as well or as long due to the short days. One thing I was surprised to learn was that at some point during the ‘sun’ year, ComEd ‘takes back’ excess energy credits but you start building again as soon as the energy produced is greater than your usage.
Some other benefits the Sunrun lease offered are derived from the fact George doesn’t own the system. Maintenance and repairs are Sunrun’s responsibility. Should his roof be damaged for any reason, generally hail, Sunrun will remove the panels and replace them at no charge once his roof repairs are complete. There was also no change to his homeowner’s insurance policy.
So, what’s his next step? Since he presently has excess energy credits every year, he’s changing several appliances from gas to electric. He may also add a power station should he purchase an electric car. If he needs additional energy, ComEd will add more panels to the existing array.
So, his take on adding solar panels: “Simple, save money, save the environment.”
Another neighbor, Pam, also installed solar panels and basically for the same reason; save money and benefit the environment. She had already taken one step by purchasing an electric auto so adding solar wasn’t much of a thought process. She did investigate several options and also decided a lease program offered the greatest benefit; i.e., no money down. Yes, she still has a ComEd bill but one month it was only 51 cents!
She decided to use a system from Certasun, a local company in Buffalo Grove. They sell and install panels from SunPower. Similar to George’s situation, they do all the paperwork and when approved, install the panels. They use Google Earth to view your roof and fine-tune panel placement to maximize its benefits. ComEd determines how many panels you need based upon past electrical usage. Other factors are similar. They do the installation, handle any warranty issues, and coordinate with ComEd when it’s ready to go live. Pam has only had her system active for about 6 months so she hasn’t seen the full annual benefit yet but knows she is saving money. Her ‘guestimate’ is approximately 50% overall savings, and that includes her lease payment. She didn’t elect to install a battery pack to store energy locally and has all of her excess power sent into the grid. I asked if she had observed her meter spinning backward, and she said ‘No,’ but was going to wait for a sunny day and take a look.
Some basics. Most leases are 20 years. If you sell your house, the lease generally needs to be set up to transfer also. The solar contracts handle that situation. Zillow estimates that you will gain approximately 5% in home value if you add solar and I’m sure that could impact your tax situation.
So, should you consider solar? Should Del Webb become an example of the benefits of a solar community? I can’t answer that as it comes down to several questions. First of all, will you derive any benefits? You obtain the most energy from panels on a south-facing roof. If your roofline faces east or west, your benefits will be lower. Do you have a lot of shade that covers your roof during part of the day? That will also impact the operational efficiency of the system. So, it’s not cut and dried. You will need to do some research and get several estimates from ‘reputable’ vendors. Check with the Better Business Bureau. If a company wants money upfront, walk away.
Also, there is the issue of timing. How long do you plan on being in your home? Will having solar increase the likelihood of facilitating a sale? Again, I don’t know that answer either. Maybe an agent can help you in that area but in reality, it’s somewhat new so they may be guessing as well. Another factor is efficiency. Newer technologies are being introduced every year that increase solar cell efficiency. Should you wait based on what’s coming later or jump in now? In any situation, it could be a sunny decision! So, enjoy the sunshine and save money at the same time!
