I am debating going solar and am looking for some input :)
Currently we have a rebate of 20% offered by the local power utility on the cost of a system so long as it is installed by November. After that the program is being cancelled. Right off the bat we are looking at a 10ish kWh system.
My monthly cost per kWh is $0.14228 with a connection charge of $22.79. Last year we averaged 894.5 kWh per month for our home with three adults and three children. This was our 12 mo average but since February we have made a conscious effort to reduce consumption and the highest monthly since has been 958 kWh with the last six months average of 613 kWh.
I did get a few quotes for my home and the price came in around $36k with $7.2 off in rebates for a total of $28.8k.
After getting the spec sheet I priced out all the same components and believe I can build a similar system for less than $15k. The rebate would only be $3000 (so $12k ish total) at that cost and I would have to do the work myself. This is the route I am leaning towards as I am having a hard time understanding what the other $20k+ the installer is charging for on a one day install.
The utility has a net metering program where I can get credits for pumping any excess back into the grid to use against any months I am short production. Unfortunately they will not buy excess back and the credits expire at the end of the year.
In theory I should be able to buy a smaller system now that our annual usage is on track for only 7363 kWh per year.
If I downsize the system to 8400 W it reduces the cost to $11,792 or $9433 after rebate. By November I should be able to save up $4-5,000 towards the system. Would throw the rest on a LOC and then pay off over next year which should be easier as I would be saving $1050 per year at our new consumption rate and more than $1800 at our previous use.
The only reason I am thinking about doing it sooner than having the cash on hand is because the government rebate is disappearing this year.
Are Micro Inverters worth the additional cost?
280W panels seem to have the best price per watt. This is the Canadian site I am pricing out kits/components at if any one wants to dive further into the weeds:
https://www.solarwholesaler.caThanks in advance for any feedback/input!