them pay. Is that true?

Does anyone have a smaller bill but also solar panels in California?

Can you just get what you need?

Should you wait until you need a new roof?

I'd love to hear from people who have the panels or have tried to get them.

if you put in a new roof and solar at the same time.

The portion of the new roof that will be covered with the solar panels, will have a 30% credit from the government, it is regarded as solar preparation fee. The total cost of the solar panels, inverter, permits, etc. will also be 30% entitled to a solar credit.

These credits can be extended over several years if you cannot use them all at once in a particular year.

In general the cost of the solar panels before federal credits depends on the kilowatt you need. For example a 4.5KW system could cost anywhere from 16K to 21K before tax credits. Keep in mind that the 4.5KW will actually be less, since the conversion from DC to AC reduces the actual output. In addition, how the panels are mounted, tilt, azimuth, and other factors will also reduce the actual output.

Any qualified solar panel expert should be able to give you a precise estimate.

Get several estimates

thanks for posting that

cover

We are in the process of getting solar panels here in Vermont. We will still be hooked to the grid but the model is to finance the panels so that the payment is equivalent to your average electric bill. So you end up paying the finance company rather than your power company. Then you put enough panels either on your roof or stand alone to generate excess power during the high sun months which result in credits from the local power company. You should be able to generate enough credits to go through the low generation months without making any payments to the power company. You get good clean power with no up front costs and you pay a set amount each month on the 15 year loan.

like an afternoon tv ad.

I'd say it's an online solar trade 'magazine'/sales aide site. The article in the OP links back to them. Their website's about page:

what solar counter tops were, I didn't see the link.
Thanks!

system before tax credits, anywhere from 16K to 21K before tax credits.

That is just a rough guess, shop around.

Also, see if your state or utility company gives rebates. Federal tax credit is 30%

it sounded like an advertisement to me.

your post 8: "...Googling what solar counter tops were..."

The article appeared in a trade magazine, and describing the way solar has moved into the mainstream of the new home market from the view of builders and installers would be "industry news" not "advertising". Note that the graph above (from a different article, same site) shows that we are breaking new ground in the way solar is spreading and some pretty fundamental things are changing rapidly. Among the best places to keep up with that type of change are industry publications.

You should also look into solar hot water. The ROI is fantastic, since the panels are a lot simpler and cheaper. They're basically a pipe running over or through a black surface.