Spread sheet on "pay back" for grid-tied PV [RE-wrenches]

[graham at solarexpert.com]

Hi Bruce,

I have tried making a spreadsheet to chart and show a monetary bottom 
line savings.  As you mentioned, nobody honestly knows what the future 
cost of energy will be.  I don’t think anybody even knows how many 
decades’ grid-connected inverters will last.  A spreadsheet showing a 
30-year life cycle should also show the cost to remove and replace the 
modules for re-roofing, unless the system is ground mounted.  I gave up 
on the spreadsheet.

Selling solar in Los Angeles where electricity costs 11 cents a kWh is 
harder than selling a peak shaving system for Edison and PG&E customers. 
 Peak shaving systems can have a relatively quick monetary payback.  The 
problem is getting permits and the inspection process can be a 
nightmare.  The CEC and LADWP are both taking several months to pay the 
rebates, this creates even more challenges.

The news lately has stories about how the Governor of California is 
going to renegotiate the long term energy contracts and how that should 
reduce the cost of electricity in the near future.

I get allot of calls from homeowners interested in PV.  The first thing 
I ask is “what are your goals and why are you interested in having a 
solar system installed?”  If they are only seeking a money saving device 
I have learned to not focus much time and attention to these callers.  
When a caller states that they “want to help do their part to reduce 
global warming, or have always been interested in solar power and now 
that half of it is being paid for and they want it.”  These people get 
my immediate attention.  I have learned to advertise in print media 
directed to the environmental crowd, such as a local Sierra Club Chapter 
monthly newspaper.  Earth Day is coming soon and handing out business 
cards through the crowd should produce some good leads.  I think you 
need to get the phones busy with many callers then you can pick the 
customers who you feel will be happy with a PV system. 

Graham Owen

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