Any Solar Panel Experts in the House?
By: Drew Meyers, Business Development Specialist | August 14, 2007
Clean energy is a hot topic so I was surprised that this “Solar Panels” thread in Zillow Discussions hadn’t attracted any responses. If you have experience with adding solar power to your house, here’s the question that was posted by stevespinner —
“I’m considering reducing my monthly electric bills with PG&E by adding solar panels to my roof. Do you have any information if future buyers will properly value the benefits of solar power and capex of equipment and installation in the purchase price. Also, i’m meeting with SolarCity, Regrid Power, and Akeena Solar - any opinions on those three companies would be greatly appreciated.”
If you can provide any help, please reply to the discussion thread.
Photo courtesy of The Indiana Coalition for Renewable Energy and Economic Development
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Comments
7 Comments so far
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Stephen Joos on August 14, 2007 4:36 pm
I don’t have specific experience dealing with those customers; however, I wrote a blog for HouseFront on the topic.
You can view it here: http://blog.housefront.com/?p=60
There is also a calculator in determining whether to go solar at: http://www.findsolar.com/. Unfortunately, the site is currently down.
Hope this helps!
Gayle on August 14, 2007 8:29 pm
Residents in Mountain View banded together to pick a contractor to install systems in their community. I suggest you contact the City of Mt. View Building Department for a contact learn about their experience.
4MySales on August 16, 2007 4:12 pm
Most of the solar installation companies are touting that the capital investment in solar does increase the re-sale value of the home, but I have not seen a significant difference in listing or sales prices between houses with Solar and without. Of course there is very limited data on the subject.
However, there are still financial benefits to solar; primarily due to the tax credits and rebates that are currently available. Also, carbon credits (although not significant) can also be sold to offset your monthly cost. I have not yet made the investment, but hope some day to be grid neutral.
With regard to solar installations, for residential I have read the most positive reviews for Akeena. They seem to have their act together, and as a public company, maintain a relatively high level of professionalism in their public presence.
Barrett Niehus
4MySales
John N on August 19, 2007 9:36 pm
been thinking of Solar panels for like the last four years but i believe it’s still too expensive and if you can afford it, will need to pay cash, get equity loan (lol what equity?) or something really un-attracting loan …
was also thinking of small wind turbine since we get like more than 50 mph wind during the winter time my part of CA
someday when it’s affordable, I would love to get into solar..or until the goverment can seriuosly give us more credit
John Nazareno is a Bay Area Real Estate and homes for sale expert..Thanks
John N on August 19, 2007 9:37 pm
eck can’t edit, told my sister in Arizona get Solar (more than 330 days of sun) and lower than $300 month utility bill
Dan on December 19, 2007 7:54 am
Question: I like the idea of solar power generation, however, what are some ways to attach solar panels to metal roof tops? I do not want to void the panel warranty.
Solar Dave on April 3, 2008 10:00 pm
John,
Wow a $300 monthly bill, is that all year or just in the summer?