To start, I am a power guy just not grid type power. Platform type power. I have done analysis on solar a few times for implementation in Texas, and it would not pay back unless the rates went up.

So, the rates have gone up to the point there might be a benefit, but I have no idea the long term predictions for retail electric prices.

I would say that prices will fall as soon as oil and all of that resolve, but we have a grid problem here and until they add more capacity that isn't renewable, that problem will get worse due to the population going up.

What thoughts or knowledge do ya'll have on this?

Hit

If you're only worried about intermittent power outages, you can build a whole house UPS that can run your A/C and all your circuits for 24 hours for under $10k. And if you're only interested in critical circuits so you don't lose internet, microwave, or a freezer full of deer meat, maybe maybe $2500.

If you want to add solar to that, you already have the battery.

But if you're trying to save money, consider what happens if Texas goes away from net metering and you get treated like a micro electricity producer and only get paid the wholesale spot rate.

I've had solar for three years in College Station. It really wasn't helpful until I added batteries after the first year. Now it is pretty amazing and the batteries have been great when we lost power during the big freeze.

KidDoc said:

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I've had solar for three years in College Station. It really wasn't helpful until I added batteries after the first year. Now it is pretty amazing and the batteries have been great when we lost power during the big freeze.

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We just got solar but not batteries. It's just to mitigate the high costs in the summers and constant rolling power in my sub-division. But once I get most of it paid off I intend on getting batteries.

Here is my problem. My panels overproduction 10-1 pm and College Station doesn't net meter so it was wasted energy. Now that overproduction charges my batteries and they discharge over night.

Just noticed my batteries were full already but it looks like they went on storm watch just in case. They did the same thing during the big freeze and saved us from dropping power.

Damn that is nice just having control over your own power like that with solar power and batteries and an app.

Does a battery system also act like a UPS/surge protector for your whole house?

Naveronski said:

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Does a battery system also act like a UPS/surge protector for your whole house?

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Almost but not as good as a UPS. When they cut power to the house in the winter freeze the TV would click off then restart and the lights would flicker once. We have electronics on surge protectors and nothing was damaged thankfully.

It does seem like a good way to protect. Here we get paid by Reliant for over production, but it is 80% of my cost, so not 1-1.

I opted not to do it, because their model figured a 2% yearly rise in electric rates. Outside of COVID and the Russians attack Ukraine there has not been an electric price increase in a long time.

So, trying to figure out if I need to re-analyze with the new rates.

Hit

HIT TO KILL said:

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It does seem like a good way to protect. Here we get paid by Reliant for over production, but it is 80% of my cost, so not 1-1.

I opted not to do it, because their model figured a 2% yearly rise in electric rates. Outside of COVID and the Russians attack Ukraine there has not been an electric price increase in a long time.

So, trying to figure out if I need to re-analyze with the new rates.

Hit

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Same. My spreadsheet says it makes sense at the 15 cents k/Wh rate that's going in my area (at least according to power to choose).

I think it really depends on the buyback / net metering terms you get, or batteries.

My coworker told me today that his system was rated for some value and this week he only saw about 65% of that even at peak sunlight. He claims it's in his contract so he is trying to hold them to it. I'm pretty curious considering this really changes the whole break even thing.