SolarGuyInMaine
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jci2tp9 wrote
Reply to comment by metalandmeeples in Solar recommendations by Substantial-Spare501
I'm not talking about windows. If you have a drafty home, applying caulk is a legitimate way to save a ton of money. I did it for my grandmas house, and it cut her firewood usage in half. There's a reason Efficiency Maine gives a rebate for it.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jchxsw4 wrote
Reply to comment by Reckless85 in Solar recommendations by Substantial-Spare501
Everyone keeps saying to replace the windows. Buy a nice caulking gun and $100 of caulking. That is literally the best bang for your buck!
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jchwiz7 wrote
Reply to comment by Substantial-Spare501 in Solar recommendations by Substantial-Spare501
I don't offer Mosaic because there was a 29% dealer fee. The only reason you would use Mosaic is if you have a poor credit score. That is literally the only time Mosaic makes sense. Companies have adopted Mosaic, and their horrible customer service, because they make it super easy to sign up at a steep cost.
To be clear, when I say a 29% dealer fee, I mean they charge the installer 29% of the cost of the array. So, an installer selling a $40K array will have to pay a $11,600 fee to Mosaic!
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jchw22i wrote
Reply to comment by rectumish in Solar recommendations by Substantial-Spare501
Maine is one of the best because our electricity costs are so high! Also, we have one of the best net energy billing agreements in the nation.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jchvw05 wrote
Reply to comment by RightyTightey in Solar recommendations by Substantial-Spare501
Break-even is usually 6-8 years when paying in cash, and 8-10 years when financing. It depends on your array and credit score.
Most installers offer mono crystalline panels that degrade at a rate of 0.50% per year. A few installers offer heterojunction panels that degrade 0.25%.
Most are warrantied for 25yrs or 30yrs, but will last 35-40yrs.
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Choose an installer that is willing to answer all of your questions, and is clearly looking out for you. This is likely the second largest purchase of your life, so you deserve it! Companies using Mosaic (or other big banks) have to charge more because dealer fees can be as high as 29%!
SolarGuyInMaine t1_j8ufbjb wrote
Reply to it was a wicked nice day 🌞 by ScatheX1022
Not trying to be negative here, but it's not a nice day. It's called global warming, and it's fucking depressing.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_j4yac3n wrote
Reply to Maybe an odd question, but anyone have suggestions for pet (cat) insurance? by flexingindisguise
Wife and I decided to put $25/month into a backcountry account in lieu of insurance. It is likely more cost effective and there’s no chance of denies coverage when you’re paying in cash.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_j2a8qgq wrote
Reply to comment by ppitm in Big Push to get folks to sign up for solar power and save "up to 70%" For those who have signed up, what are your savings? by doggyfishbird
No, but that conjures quite the image! 😂
I'm more concerned with lease agreements, or any long-term agreements. There simply isn't the same accountability as an array that you own. Fields can be bought and sold as a product by faceless entities, which muddies the waters in regard to who is responsible for what.
Conversely, when you have solar at your home, no one can change the terms of your system. You simply own that system.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_j2a1j6z wrote
Reply to comment by PvtPug in Big Push to get folks to sign up for solar power and save "up to 70%" For those who have signed up, what are your savings? by doggyfishbird
I tried coming up with a good way to answer this, but I own a solar company in Maine, so I can't truly give an unbiased answer.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_j28m84j wrote
Reply to Big Push to get folks to sign up for solar power and save "up to 70%" For those who have signed up, what are your savings? by doggyfishbird
Tread carefully.
If you don't own the array, on your own property, I wouldn't sign a contract with terms greater than 12 months. A lot of these huge ground mounts are being installed by out-of-state companies that have no permanent investment in Maine.
SolarGuyInMaine t1_jdjhfyc wrote
Reply to comment by Froggy_Study in Trash Bags by Froggy_Study
Tell me you're from out-of-state without telling me your from out-of-state.
Welcome home!