[Packrat1]

Hmmm, a check of Nevada Contarctors Noard shows no record of
Encoresolar....

[foundapeanut]

^^^yikes. OP ask for proof of their contractors license.

[WestieJeff]

I'm certain the official contractor's license is in a different name. They probably use a catchy name for their solar side.

Literally no one is installing net metering solar panels without a permit (which requires a contractor's license), the power company simply won't install the necessary meter without it.

Originally Posted by Packrat1

Hmmm, a check of Nevada Contarctors Noard shows no record of
Encoresolar....

[Packrat1]

It is wise to know and check the contractor's license name and/or number to check and see if they have complaints against them. Also to see if they changed their business name due to previous complaints.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

I pre-wired my house to support 18 kW of panels, and currently have 12 kW installed. I purchased my panels & microinverters -- they are not leased.

How often do you have to clean them and how do you do it? Special tools, etc. How much does it save you every month?

[airics]

before you spend a penny on solar, just change to the time of use plan with nv energy.....I have a 2700sf home, 3 floor, with pool, facing west... my electric bill averages... $50 a month from October till May.... $150 June, July, Aug, Sept.

I keep the house at 74 degrees in the summer with the nevadaenergy thermostats... how do I do this.. time of use is highest 2pm-7pm for the 4 months.... my ac is off and even the laundry is not done during those hours.... I set the thermostat at 70 or less at the other times.. at the end of the 5 hours off, the house is usually 74/75

My house is a 2003 (original ac units), has sunscreens and window tint.. I also added insulation in the attic areas..

[lvmensch]

Best present numbers I know of suggest it is still marginal. Getting there but not quite yet. The cost of utility scale solar is now getting low enough that utilities will likely duplicate their fossil fuel facilities with solar or wind.

The problem with roof top is that the overhead cost doubles the cost to the buyer. That pretty much makes it more expensive than utility power.

And you are bought in at the 2018 price. It is likely to go down perhaps as much as 30 to 50% in the next 5 years.

S&M may however have a point. A capable DIYer may well be able to make a cost effective installation to day. May want to use a licensed electrician for part of it but the cost will be a lot less than retail.

[BBMW]

If I was going to do this, and had the land, I'd ground rack it. Solar panels need to be cleaned to maintain optimum output, doing that on a rooftop would not be easy.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by BBMW

If I was going to do this, and had the land, I'd ground rack it. Solar panels need to be cleaned to maintain optimum output, doing that on a rooftop would not be easy.

I think about this too. Maybe the idea is to force people to buy cleaning and maintenance for the systems? I know I would not put mine anywhere I could not clean or dust them off regularly. It's too dusty and we don't get enough rain. My big idea was to put them on an angled rack that was not attached to the house. If it's not attached, it can't be taxed! The rack would shade the south side of the house but still be low enough I could clean them off with some long handled equipment.

[BBMW]

I would rather just not screw with the roof, especially in Vegas with your concrete tile roofs. Then again, with your tiny back yards, other options might be limited (on a pergola maybe?)

And are you talking about property tax assessment? If it's separately racked, not attached to the house, it isn't assessed for?

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

I think about this too. Maybe the idea is to force people to buy cleaning and maintenance for the systems? I know I would not put mine anywhere I could not clean or dust them off regularly. It's too dusty and we don't get enough rain. My big idea was to put them on an angled rack that was not attached to the house. If it's not attached, it can't be taxed! The rack would shade the south side of the house but still be low enough I could clean them off with some long handled equipment.