tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post17407326439204370..comments2024-03-08T17:48:05.678-05:00Comments on Curmudgeonly & Skeptical presents Boned Jello: VIVINT SOLAR ENERGYRodger the Real King of Francehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-70675559358914277742015-05-29T18:33:46.461-04:002015-05-29T18:33:46.461-04:00My acquaintance Baker probably trained him.
AWMMy acquaintance Baker probably trained him.<br />AWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-23675089639626410112015-05-28T23:03:00.170-04:002015-05-28T23:03:00.170-04:00No, he was Weston Marlowe (UPDATED
HERE)No, he was Weston Marlowe (<b><a href="http://curmudgeonlyskeptical.blogspot.com/2015/05/vivint-solar-update.html" rel="nofollow">UPDATED<br />HERE</a></b>)Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-87594172149581265092015-05-28T20:54:19.271-04:002015-05-28T20:54:19.271-04:00Was your salesman a lean mid-50s man named Baker?
...Was your salesman a lean mid-50s man named Baker?<br /><br />AWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-59572174167359386732015-05-26T19:12:02.712-04:002015-05-26T19:12:02.712-04:00I elected to buy my PV system. As with real estat...I elected to buy my PV system. As with real estate, location is everything, and I live in Hawaii. We have sufficient sun, and the highest energy prices in the nation. HECO charges a connection fee, but that makes my bill $18 per month. With a previous bill averaging north of $500 monthly, my ROI is approximately 2.5 years, or...oh, right about now. The lease deals didn't make sense here, but again...location, location, location.<br /><br />Fred JamesonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-3410178672594883932015-05-25T12:29:21.695-04:002015-05-25T12:29:21.695-04:00Whoa! Where did that specter come from?Whoa! Where did that specter come from?Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-25159864903597668032015-05-25T11:39:59.646-04:002015-05-25T11:39:59.646-04:00Ahhh,
I see that you've installed a vent for y...Ahhh,<br />I see that you've installed a vent for your methane generator in the upper window.DougMhttp://sondrakistan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-8612925211851284442015-05-25T08:59:20.524-04:002015-05-25T08:59:20.524-04:00In our case Jess, we had a new 40 year roof instal...In our case Jess, we had a new 40 year roof installed 2 years ago. But, yeah, anybody who buys a house ought expect shit to happen.Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-49649527055552871682015-05-25T08:51:50.622-04:002015-05-25T08:51:50.622-04:00Much of our traffic control equipment uses solar p...Much of our traffic control equipment uses solar panels to charge batteries, and to provide power during the day. <br /><br />After decades of working on the critters, I've found the panels survive longer than what they power. Some equipment is over ten years old, and the panels still work as originally designed. <br /><br />The only problem I'd have with your setup is the long term maintenance, and the cost of roof repairs, if necessary. I'm thinking the panels could be removed in as short of time as that required to install, and coordination would be the biggest drawback. When removed, the roof project would be no different than any roof project. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-79356580810883797612015-05-25T08:45:45.801-04:002015-05-25T08:45:45.801-04:00These are wonderful! America, what a country! (Jos...These are wonderful! America, what a country! (Josh wins)Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-5548381715894293252015-05-24T23:59:24.204-04:002015-05-24T23:59:24.204-04:00If you have a fire, the fire dept. can't/won&#...If you have a fire, the fire dept. can't/won't fight it because of the dangerous voltages/currents on the roof. Their water can't get between the solar panels and the roof proper to extinguish it. <br />So you end up losing all of it.Ole Phat Stuhttp://www.savory.de/blog.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-3280808140419557092015-05-24T22:26:02.583-04:002015-05-24T22:26:02.583-04:00Wow, Rodger is taking flak for something on his ho...Wow, Rodger is taking flak for something on his house that you can barely see and he didn't have to pay for. Worst case scenario is that these things don't work and he had 44k worth of free shingle covers installed. The best case is pretty awesome. If it's somewhere in the middle, the bare facts are that it was free, and it was not intrusive to his household. <br /><br /> I think they look kind of cool on the roof, actually, but would not of noticed if you hadn't mentioned it. Upside is huge, downside seems very minimal. Keep us updated, as it will be interesting reading no matter what.<br /><br />JoshAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-51122151156333634342015-05-24T20:43:35.372-04:002015-05-24T20:43:35.372-04:00I know you're (must be) joking; there are no s...I know you're (must be) joking; there are no storage batteries, ergo everything goes directly to BG&E. What electricity we generate that is not used by us is sold to the guy next door. Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-34543424891814309272015-05-24T20:30:22.396-04:002015-05-24T20:30:22.396-04:00When it's hot and sunny out, and your panels a...When it's hot and sunny out, and your panels are pumping out tons of juice, and your house starts on fire, how does the fire dept. turn off the power?<br /><br />Bad AnonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-29017049851610962602015-05-24T17:18:22.382-04:002015-05-24T17:18:22.382-04:00Piffles ...
We entertained all of those eventuali...Piffles ...<br /><br />We entertained all of those eventualities (save the PG&E deal) and here's where we stand.<br /><br />1. The technology will improve, always does. I can and do still watch old VCR tapes. What matters, bottom line,is at what point will we end up paying more per kwh than my neighbor? Answer="Never."<br /><br />2. Our investment is, quite literally, $0. <br /><br />3. Since Vivint is contractually responsible for maintaining and replacing the panels, the question becomes what happens if they don't?<br /><br />Well, their only incentive will be to keep collecting from us the monthly 10.5 cents/kwh (which can increase at mil rates over 20 years). And what if they don't? At worst, we will find ourselves paying BGE the full price our neighbor pays. Which begs the question ..<br /><br />4. Are the panels an eyesore? You be the judge, but if I didn't know they were installed, it might be months before I even noticed. So no problem. Plus, I think they protect our shingles.<br /><br />5. We have the right to buy out Vivint at any point over the 20 years at a depreciating rate. Worst case is if the panels become useless. What value do they have at all? I won't know because I'll be dead, or drooling in a cup at some nursing home. Vivint will have no incentive to battle in court if it came to that anyway. <br /><br />6. What happens if there's snow on the roof? Easy. There is no power generated; winter bills go up since there's fewer sun hours anyway.<br /><br />7. Will it for some reason make our house harder to sell? I can't see why, but then that's something our kids and heirs will have to work out.<br /><br />We have nothing to lose, and something to gain. It's nice being 90 years old. Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-27050619663868794112015-05-24T17:14:32.172-04:002015-05-24T17:14:32.172-04:00I looked into the offer from Elon Musk's Solar...I looked into the offer from Elon Musk's Solar City. Not impressed: they collect your energy credits, and you still pay a bit to them for the solar panels that they mount on your roof.<br /><br />The really cool thing is that after 20 years, <i>you own them</i> free and clear! Oh. The efficiency decreases year after year, and at 20-25 years, they've reached the end of their lifespan.<br /><br />So who gets to pay for removal of the useless panels and disposal of them as hazardous waste? Why, that would be the lucky owner. What a deal!<br /><br />Thanks, but no.MAX Redlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040240474444763721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-50154623404880796172015-05-24T16:48:20.569-04:002015-05-24T16:48:20.569-04:00OK, so you're running off the panels during da...OK, so you're running off the panels during daylight; is there a way to add storage (batteries)? Any idea why they chose 36 panels as the magic number? Was that as many as would fit? Any idea what the total output of the panels is? <br /><br />We need the details, Rodger. Chucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-72568573862390316752015-05-24T15:11:46.154-04:002015-05-24T15:11:46.154-04:00My son is in the mortgage business, and says a lot...My son is in the mortgage business, and says a lot of lenders won't touch a loan where the home has leased solar equipment (re-fi, or sale). Owned is a different story, but he stopped dealing with those kinds of mortgages, because so many have fallen through. Regrets I did not see this before you installed, wishing you well !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-71508819156549996502015-05-24T14:08:03.967-04:002015-05-24T14:08:03.967-04:00I'm a little suspicious of the transaction. Wh...I'm a little suspicious of the transaction. When people are so energy conscience, they install a solar array, the time when the energy can be sold back to the grid is when the least amount of energy is used in a household. Otherwise, the profit for the endeavor may be much more than the savings for energy use. <br /><br />You get what you pay for, and sometimes, that's not a bargain.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-50745952808812407202015-05-24T12:36:48.755-04:002015-05-24T12:36:48.755-04:00Homeowners that did it are up in arms here in CO.
...Homeowners that did it are up in arms here in CO.<br /><br />1. Technology is only going to improve, you'd be installing what will be considered relics, 5 years from now.<br />2. Beware liens (they call them "fixture filings") filed against the house.<br />3. Who pays for de-installation and re-installation if you have to replace your shingles?<br />4. Who is responsible for cleaning the panels?<br />5. What do local real estate agents say about panels affecting the sales process and value?<br />6. What happens if the panels do not deliver on the hype?<br /><br />All these question have answers that are disadvantageous to owners, here in Colorado.... could differ elsewhere.<br /><br />Cuzzin RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-32878021445215941312015-05-24T11:39:55.112-04:002015-05-24T11:39:55.112-04:00BiL - who is an obsessive researcher - chose to bu...BiL - who is an obsessive researcher - chose to buy the things and now his morning, with-coffee activity [and afternoon with ceegar n beer] is to wander round to the meter and watch it run backward. [He <i>does</i> live in a windy, hothothot semi-desert...][and grows the best oranges and tomatoes!]<br /><br />He grins quietly like a shark at a minnow convention.<br /><br />Hope it all works as well for you. We're looking to put them *somewhere* round here. *somewhere* they don't reflect brightly toward anywhere *I* am. I hate glare.<br /><br />PG&E did some craptastic 'deal' with our local county .gov wherein a new bureaucracy was created to deliver <i>ONLY</i> "Clean" power to one's home. Thru the same lines. They say it will cost <i>less</i> than regular PG&E. [hahahahahaha] <br /><br />Turns out, they add a $9.95 charge -- on top of whatever you bought -- for the 'cheaper' <i>"Clean"</i> power. Which comes thru the same lines as the rest of the power on the grid -- like that coal plant in Idaho. <br /><br />How <i>do</i> the little electrons <i>know</i> which house to go to? Maybe the $9 charge is for tiny little address labels and electron training?<br /><br />[What happens when they're covered with snow?]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-14390259525973623892015-05-24T10:57:14.006-04:002015-05-24T10:57:14.006-04:00Yeah, that collection meter in the upper right win...Yeah, that collection meter in the upper right window is sure a keeper!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-23292151880155381802015-05-24T10:48:00.599-04:002015-05-24T10:48:00.599-04:00Took me a minute before I noticed the full moon.Took me a minute before I noticed the full moon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15290406.post-1386630165749827822015-05-24T10:33:52.888-04:002015-05-24T10:33:52.888-04:00Anything to do with "renewable energy", ...Anything to do with "renewable energy", i.e., wind and solar, is 90% horse doovers, 10% tomatos.<br /><br />It ain't working now, and it won't, ever, until there is a better photovoltaic device.<br /><br />jdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com