So I received an estimate for solar on my roof, which has a good southern slant.

The panels, if financed, would cost about $200/month and offset my $150/month energy bill. The loan would be for 20 years.

However, I might refinance my home and pay in cash. Is now a good time to make this investment?

  • cerement@slrpnk.netEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    on the flip side, if you want to go extremely budget

    • sourcing panels, inverters, batteries, etc. on your own
      • used solar panels do not lose significant efficiency over time, we’re just obsessed with the “newest” *
    • DIY, assembling everything on your own
    • plan on not hooking up to grid, won’t get any energy kickbacks but less hassle on the wiring side of things

    * Used Solar Panels are Powering the Developing World

    • JacobCoffinWrites@slrpnk.netEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      Not sure if you’ll have any advice on this, but I’m helping my neighbor change his front lawn into a native plant garden, and planning to include a little water feature with a pump running off a solar panel. I’ve barely begun researching any of this part (been lugging dirt and cinderblocks from our local Everything is Free page), but I always try for used stuff first. If you have any recommendations I’d love to hear them.

      • cerement@slrpnk.netEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        no real ideas, sorry

        if the water feature is really tiny, then the pump and panel taken out of one of those decorative countertop fountains – but that isn’t going to be able to power much more than a soothing trickle …

        next stage up would probably be something like pool cover pumps and pool drain pumps – but don’t know if those would be any cheaper than proper pond pumps that are designed to be run unmaintained for long periods of time

      • tchotchonyEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        For the pump, maybe you could look into (secondhand) aquarium pumps? They’re meant to be constantly running. Flow rate is fixed though, so you’ll have to decide the size if your pond first.