Does solar make sense in Texas?

[jboy210]

Hi,

We recently purchased a home in Texas (Round Rock area) and are wondering if solar makes sense since the energy costs are pretty low.

FWIW, this home will for the immediate future be a rental. But, we may have family members living there long term.

Thanks!

 

[holeydonut]

IMO, somebody here said Texas had "free nights" or something wacky. The concept of installing a ESS that could grid charge when it was free to discharge later in the day sounded more awesome than actually going green with solar hah.

I guess if Biden would help pass a ESS credit that separate from a solar credit, it'd be much more attractive.

 

[jrweiss98020]

Energy costs are low, until they're not... Solar plus a couple Powerwalls could save you a BUNCH of $$ if there's another long-term grid outage and the electric utility starts charging "market rate" again...

 

[dc81]

100% offset.. no
But if you have access to a free nights plan or some sort of time of use... possibly

 

[h2ofun]

Only if you have money to spend

 

[Wingwinghello]

I just put in my order for solar today. Also in RR too.

 

[charlesj]

Hi,

We recently purchased a home in Texas (Round Rock area) and are wondering if solar makes sense since the energy costs are pretty low.

FWIW, this home will for the immediate future be a rental. But, we may have family members living there long term.

Thanks!

Just think of the recent grid shut down throughout the state with no outside of state connection, their own electric island.

You could have had power as soon as sun came out and if had Powerwall, may not have gone down.

And, when power came up slowly, price was $9/kWh.

 

[garrett5688]

Do not recommend it if you are only looking from a ROI perspective.

Definitely recommend it if you want help offset grid usage, gain some level of independence from the grid and utility company, support Tesla as a company and the advancement of solar/battery storage in general, and score internet points. Treat it as a splurge/luxury purchase (much like Tesla vehicles) and enjoy life. Very few things have true ROI. Buy what you want.

 

[jboy210]

Thanks all. We are bit distracted now since we found out today the house needs a new roof because of a recent hail storm? Never heard of hail doing damage like that to a roof. Is it common in Texas?

It's not a deal killer, but the buyer has to work through it with their insurance. I gather that a lot of homes had similar damage so it may take a while.

 

[garrett5688]

Thanks all. We are bit distracted now since we found out today the house needs a new roof because of a recent hail storm? Never heard of hail doing damage like that to a roof. Is it common in Texas?

LOL. yes.

 

[Wingwinghello]

Thanks all. We are bit distracted now since we found out today the house needs a new roof because of a recent hail storm? Never heard of hail doing damage like that to a roof. Is it common in Texas?

It's not a deal killer, but the buyer has to work through it with their insurance. I gather that a lot of homes had similar damage so it may take a while.

Yep that’s why I put in my order today. Insurance is replacing my 15yr old roof. Solar should be coming in 8 weeks given the online eta

 

[dc81]

Solar should be coming in 8 weeks given the online eta

Oh sweet summer child, never believe the online estimate

 

[dc81]

Solar/PW installed last week and while waiting for PTO, I've been turning on the solar for a few hours during the day to charge the PW. Here is my usage/cost from my energy provider on a free night plan:

And a couple daily breakdowns:

 

[gavine]

Thanks all. We are bit distracted now since we found out today the house needs a new roof because of a recent hail storm? Never heard of hail doing damage like that to a roof. Is it common in Texas?

It's not a deal killer, but the buyer has to work through it with their insurance. I gather that a lot of homes had similar damage so it may take a while.

Sounds like a job for solar roof tiles

 

[gavine]

and score internet points

Haha....I love it. A guy I work with modifies his cars for internet points. He follows forums and shows-off his upgrades.

 

[jboy210]

Yep that’s why I put in my order today. Insurance is replacing my 15yr old roof. Solar should be coming in 8 weeks given the online eta

Thanks. Sounds like RR got hit pretty hard by the hail storm. The roof on the house we bought is circa 2004, so less to worry about once insurance pays to have a new one put on. Being from NorCal, I am used to hail never being bigger than BBs.

 

[ScottRiqui]

LOL. yes.

So much yes. I had a car totaled in the 1992 hail storm (and not an old junker, either).

 

[h2ofun]

So much yes. I had a car totaled in the 1992 hail storm (and not an old junker, either).

And so many say California is terrible. Now, when the big one hits, glad I am in the foothills on rock

 

[jboy210]

And so many say California is terrible. Now, when the big one hits, glad I am in the foothills on rock

The Sierra Rocks fracture and roll massive boulders down the hills as the recent closures on HWY 50 show. Also, all those hot springs in the Sierras a potential thermal vents in an eruption. No matter you go there is something. Be that earthquake, floods, fires, hurricanes, eruptions, etc.

 

[gigawatt1010]

Another option is to just get a credit for a new roof from the sellers and put it towards your solar roof. Since you already have Solar Roof in your CA Home, you know the benefits first hand.