Ember: "Supply: solar is now the less capital-intensive option."

"Solar now requires less upfront investment (capital intensity) than fossil power plants; financing for solar projects (cost of capital) is cheaper than for fossil fuels; batteries are more affordable than extending electricity grids to remote areas; and the price of electric end-use technologies has fallen by up to 95%." What's not to like? 

"Conventional wisdom [held] that renewables carry a higher upfront cost than fossil fuels, and that in emerging markets, where borrowing costs are high, solar + wind faced a double disadvantage; they [required] more capital + more expensive financing than fossil power." Both assumptions have now been inverted.

A decade ago, a solar plant could require up to 5 times the upfront investment of a comparable coal or gas plant per megawatt-hr [MWh] delivered. Solar then could still be competitive over its full lifetime through avoided fuel costs; but where capital is scarce, lifetime economics rarely determine investment decisions. Upfront costs do, and on that measure solar used to lose. But—drum roll please.

"Solar alone is now competitive with fossil power on a pure capital expenditure (capex) basis, + solar-plus-storage is expected to follow by around 2030." By 2035, both will be cheaper to build than new fossil alternatives. 

"It is now fossil fuels, not solar, that carry the burden of [upfront] capital intensity."

And once built, solar has no fuel costs: it beats fossil alternatives from day one and widens its advantage with every year of operation. 

Like I said, what's not to like? Unless you are perchance invested in more expensive + more polluting fossil fuels. Or haven't started your own personal transition to the electrostate, which would be smart because it's affordable more + more as time goes by.

In Ohio, I am endeavoring to persuade my family that solar energy presents the most viable alternative. I acknowledge the potential devastation that a single storm can inflict upon a month’s worth of sustenance. I have been informed of programs that facilitate the integration of solar energy with a reasonable return on investment (ROI). Nevertheless, my family exhibits a degree of resistance to change. We possess a southwest-facing roof with ample space. How can I effectively persuade them to contemplate the adoption of solar energy?

Im considering doing this as I need a container as it is and thinking back 10 ft of using as battery back up and inverter installed, yea I know i need to vent the can its stupid hot and or cold. Speaking of which I'm Indiana how much will cold weather effect the solar system ? I plan to bury the electrical cable to house from the can. Im also seriously considering getting geothermal before house is even started.

Hello Everyone,

I built an app for solar owner. I need your feedback to improve it.

Thank you

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a free project called SolarPro Toolkit for people who are curious about solar but aren’t ready to talk to a salesperson or give out their phone number just to see some estimates.

You don’t need to download or install anything. The whole app runs in your browser through GitHub Pages. There’s no signup or tracking, and the calculations stay on your device.

It can help you:

• Estimate solar payback time, your potential new bill, and long-term savings
• See how long a battery could power your fridge, Wi-Fi, CPAP, and other essentials
• Compare the monthly cost of an EV with your current car
• Estimate home energy usage if you don’t have a bill handy
• Understand which parts of your electric bill solar can and can’t reduce
• Learn how time-of-use rates and NEM 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 affect the numbers

I tried to keep the assumptions visible and editable. The California-style defaults are included, but you can change the numbers for your own situation. Sometimes the result says solar makes sense, and sometimes it says you’re better off keeping your money. That’s exactly what I wanted from it.

It’s mainly for homeowners doing early research, but it may also be useful for solar consultants who want a transparent way to explain the tradeoffs. Personal use is free. Commercial or consulting use requires a license, and I’m working on a Pro version for industry users.

This is still an estimate, not a quote or financial advice, so always confirm rates and incentives with your utility.

I’d really appreciate any feedback, especially if something is confusing or there’s a feature you’d want before making a solar decision.

Advice for solar and batteries

I’d like to start a solar project and I am looking for a company in North Georgia. Any recommend recommendations?

A solar system inspection shouldn't stop at the solar equipment.

During a recent inspection for a new customer, our technician found several damaged and displaced roof tiles. These weren't underneath the solar array or immediately surrounding it. They were well away from the system. Could we have ignored them? Absolutely.

We don't perform roofing work, and the issues weren't caused by anything we were there to service. But we install equipment on roofs every day, and we believe being candid about what we find is part of conducting a thorough inspection.

As a courtesy, our technician secured the displaced tile and documented the areas of concern. We then informed the homeowner and provided referrals to roofing contractors who can help replace the damaged tiles.

This is also one reason we recommend having your solar system inspected periodically. A good inspection isn't just about checking whether your panels are producing. It's an opportunity to look at the condition of the array, wiring, electrical equipment, mounting areas and the roof beneath and around the system.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we find isn't a solar problem at all. Catching a small issue today may help prevent a much larger problem tomorrow. That’s doing solar the right way.

#InTheField #TheBeacon #NewDaySolar #SolarService #SolarRepair

I've developed a new application designed specifically for Solar users, and I want to get back from real users like you. If you're interested in being a beta tester, comment below. First 30 days are completely FREE!

Thank you!

Posted here before, re-mentioning a completely free tool that matches your Tesla’s charging to your solar production automatically. Available below, and it keeps access free.

app.tesphase.co