+BobcatReefer Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 OK ARC, I'm taking the plunge into a Professional Membership in hopes of landing a sale or two. I think reefers are pretty much my target demographic and it supports the site, so it seemed like a good fit. Going to break up the posts a bit, otherwise it would be a giant wall of text, and add just a bit each day so that I can keep some eyes on it. Please feel free to chime in with questions or thoughts along the way! I sell residential solar systems for SolarCity, and I would like to do an evaluation on your house to see if we can save you money. If you'd like to know what a solar solution looks like for your home, please PM me with your email and I can get started right away. I can turn around an evaluation in about 24h, once I have a bill and usage (see attached file for Austin Energy Customers). AustinEnergyData.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Sent you an email sir! Welcome to the professional members club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 emailed also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Oh yes, I've been curious about solar ever since I got my house. Emailed as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 If I wasn't forced to use PEC, I'd be all over one. I have about 2000 sq ft of south facing roof and a utility provider who makes me wish I was still with COA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan H Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I had a company do a solar audit and they determined that we couldn't do it because we had too much shading from my neighbor's big tree. BOO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I had a company do a solar audit and they determined that we couldn't do it because we had too much shading from my neighbor's big tree. BOO!At least it's my own tree doing the blocking so I can't get too mad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Oh yes, I've been curious about solar ever since I got my house. Emailed as wellI'm not seeing yours just yet. Would you mind sending it again? If I wasn't forced to use PEC, I'd be all over one. I have about 2000 sq ft of south facing roof and a utility provider who makes me wish I was still with COA.We'll have PEC approval "shortly" and I'll update this thread when that happens. I'm dying for it, because the area I'm actively working butts up against PEC to the SW. Same thing with Juiceman and Bluebonnet out in Manor. He's got a PERFECT roof for it too - giant, unobstructed mounting plane, facing the right azimuth. I had a company do a solar audit and they determined that we couldn't do it because we had too much shading from my neighbor's big tree. BOO!Yup - looking at your house and both neighbors have trees keeping you from clean, low cost, solar energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 I chatted with Ty and got his permission to share this. If Ty had no trees and could take advantage of his roof for solar, this is an example of what we're talking about: 9.36 kW system That would offset 82% of his usage (theoretically he'd still get 18% of his electricity from Austin Energy we estimate conservatively) With his usage, he needs a bigger roof for 100% offset! Before Solar: $177.82 Ty's average bill from Austin Energy over the last 13 months After Solar: $139.75 Net electricity cost per month [$107.59 SolarCity payment] [$ 32.16 AusEnergy bill] $ 38.07 monthly savings $456.84 annual savings *** Every single home/system is different. Every utility company we work with is different. *** That said, I have yet to see an evaluation where we could place solar for an Austin Energy customer and not save them money. Austin Energy pays for 25% of your system up front, so it's really hard for you to NOT save. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 That's it, who wants to help me cut that 50+ foot sycamore tree down? Thanks for crunching the numbers Jeff. If an aborist ever says that tree needs to come down, I'm giving you a call. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Pm sent, but I have PEC as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Seems like my message is going to your tapatalk inbox. I'll have to send you an email from my computer later 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 Gig 'em - got the email now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+reeflover Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Can do do tile roof as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 We can do both flat or round concrete tile, but not clay tile. I don't think we have much clay tile here in TX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I'd be interested as well once you get PEC approval. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Sadly, it looks like that's not going to happen any time soon. Apparently PEC doesn't want any part of it, as their purchase rate is so low that it doesn't make sense for us to do business with them. Sucks for me, because I have 8 or so folks lined up and ready to go in PEC territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Top solar energy company launches in Austin market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Sadly, it looks like that's not going to happen any time soon. Apparently PEC doesn't want any part of it, as their purchase rate is so low that it doesn't make sense for us to do business with them. Sucks for me, because I have 8 or so folks lined up and ready to go in PEC territory. They're a complete joke. Not only do they have zero incentive for purchasing a solar system but their buyback rate $0.0465 per kWh is a complete joke compared to COA's $.10 - $.12 per KwH. My gross electricity cost is something like $.11 per KwH, and it was more like $.07 with COA for the same amount of electricity, when we lived in their market. Somehow Austin energy can give incentives for solar or EV charging stations and still cost roughly 65% of what PEC costs. They have basically deliberately priced solar so that the payoff date is right when you'd be needing to replace the solar panels, basically about 25 - 30 years after purchasing them including the federal rebate. Separate topic, but what upsets me even more is that the city of Austin annexed our neighborhood only a few years ago but we have no access to city utilities... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 They're a complete joke. Not only do they have zero incentive for purchasing a solar system but their buyback rate $0.0465 per kWh is a complete joke compared to COA's $.10 - $.12 per KwH.Yup - that's exactly it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pescado-G Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I have solar but in Austin been great so far. TY you will have to try to assess how much warmer your house may be once the shade is gone as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I have solar but in Austin been great so far. TY you will have to try to assess how much warmer your house may be once the shade is gone as well.Oh yeah. I love the shade it gives me for the backyard and on the house itself. The increased cooling costs if its gone like you said may outweigh the benefits I get from solar. The thought of not being entirely dependent on the grid is nice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 The thought of not being entirely dependent on the grid is nice though.You're still on the grid and if there's a power outage, you're blacked out too. Can't have workers fixing the problem if you're pushing electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 The thought of not being entirely dependent on the grid is nice though.You're still on the grid and if there's a power outage, you're blacked out too. Can't have workers fixing the problem if you're pushing electricity.Aw man! No way to turn a couple of switches and be isolated when needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 One would think that w/ technology today, an auto-disconnect switch could do that, but that's not how it works. Especially frustrating if you own the Tesla Powerwall. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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