Need Solar system installed

Grid Tied solar is beginning to "fall out of favor" (for example, almost all GT solar installs have stopped in Nevada when the the PUC/Utilities changed the "rules".

From what I have heard (here), Arizona power companies are trying to go down that road.

Off grid solar--It is not unusual for Off Grid power to cost the home owner ~5-10x as much as utility connected power ($1-$2+ per kWatt hour, sometimes as low as $0.50 per kWH can be possible). So for most people, Off Grid Battery (and Hybrid) power systems are not going to save money for the home owners (unless they are 1/2 a mile or more from power lines).

In general, for most folks, are better to go with "extreme" conservation first--It is not unusual for older homes/folks that have not worked on conservation before, to save upwards of 50% on their electric bill (insulation, energy star appliances, turning off unused stuff, LED lighting, weather stripping, more insulation in the attic, etc.).

-Bill

No (I am not in the business, I am not qualified to make a statement like that)--I am saying that you are not alone--And it depends on your location and specific utility (and their PUC/Company rules) as to what you can do.

We do have some Arizona folks here, and NAWS (Northern Arizona Wind & Sun, our host, is in Flagstaff)--Perhaps calling them directly can get some pointers (I do not work for NAWS--Just a volunteer here).

My system in California is ~15 years old now--And they would only guarantee rates for ~10 Years--And now they are starting to change rates to remove subsidies for GT Solar Customers...

The basic way of doing this (appears to be) raising connection fees (mine started at $4 and now are $10, and some folks have seen >$48 per month connection fees). And higher rate fees ( >$0.34-%0.56 per kWH summer peak and <$0.15 to $0.36 per kWH off peak)...

http://www.pge.com/tariffs/tm2/pdf/ELEC_SCHEDS_E-6.pdf

Some folks are now "banking" ~$0.05 per kWH (or less) from utilities instead of the "retail rates" (like above) that they used to get.

Arizona has been (historically) a bit more difficult for GT solar--And appears to be getting more difficult. Perhaps some Arizona folks can talk about what is happening now.

In any case--I would highly recommend conservation first (and high efficiency A/C / heat pump systems for air and water--if no natural gas/propane). And other conservation measures. And in the background, try to figure out the GT system possibilities (self install, hiring your own contractor to install, etc.).

I do tell folks (in my humble opinion) that GT solar systems are not "investments"--But pre-payment of utility bills (and can reduce costs), and at the pleasure of political/corporate entities... And at any time now, GT solar could fall out of favor--And that is happening now in some (many?) areas.

-Bill