Just so I understand correctly, you get paid 7 cents for every kWH produced? Even if you consume it yourself? If that's the case, while this is a big system, I'd be inclined to go for it.
Generally speaking, it costs less to build bigger initially than it does to add later, and since a large portion of installation cost is labor, the 16th kw is cheaper than the 12th, so to speak.
Yeah, the power company and State teamed up and offer two things.
1. Net Metering - everyone knows about this.
2. 'Solar Rewards' - 7c per KW/h produced. Paid 1 time a year for 10 years.
Now, solar rewards is a freebee give away, so they limit you based on 120% of the last 12 months of use age. OR because we just got a house, they go on sqft. Ours allows for 13KW being a very unmustachian 4200sqft. They also allow 3 more KW if you have an electric car (I have a volt).
Basically, because of solar rewards, you should just maximize either the roof space, or the program limit, whatever comes first. It's been guesstimated that the system will make stated value * 1.1 or 1.2
16000 * 1.1 = 17,600 KW/h yearly
16000 * 1.2 = 19,200 KW/h yearly
$1,232 to $1,344 a year, ON TOP OF net metering, no property tax increase, 30% federal rebate, ect. This is what lowers turn around time from 10-11 years down to around 7.