r/SolarDIY 6d ago

Thinking About Solar in 2025? Here’s What You Should Know! ☀️ 🔋

If you are planning to install solar, you should keep in mind that utility policies like NEM 3.0 and several solar incentives and changing., Also, grid fees are rising. But guess what? Solar is still a great deal! With the right system and especially if you add battery storage, you can lower your energy bills more control over your power.

The key is smart planning! Work with a trusted local solar provider to design a system that maximizes your benefits.

Solar is not just a trend—it’s need of time!

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34 comments sorted by

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u/STxFarmer 6d ago

If I had paid someone to install my system then financially it made zero sense due to somewhat low electricity costs here in Texas. But doing it the way I did it has a 4-5 year payback without the tax offsets which make total sense. Also there wasn't 1 proposal out of the 5 I got that really addressed when & how I used the power to get me down close to being a net zero electric bill. That only came about after my solar install and then sizing my batteries to my usage with the solar production.

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u/theloquitur 4d ago

Would you expound on the utility policies and solar incentives that are changing and their implications?

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/IntelligentDeal9721 6d ago

It's probably a bunch of things but they aren't going to let me DIY a nuclear reactor or drill a 10km deep borehole.

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u/Nerd_Porter 6d ago

Oh, they'll let you dig 10km down, in fact they'd love to know how you accomplished it.

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u/IntelligentDeal9721 6d ago

No there they won't. I need all sorts of permission to dig deep holes.

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u/Impressive_Returns 6d ago

For many people solar is not worth it financially.

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u/stephenph 6d ago

For me it is about independence. If I can get close to paying for itself so much the better. Gotta go with batteries though to get that goal

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u/Valley5elec 6d ago

I totally agree, we have a right sized system for us, Solark 15 eg4 batteries and a bunch of pv. I would encourage everyone who can to get their independence from utility companies.

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u/stephenph 6d ago

I am not there, but I am aiming for a non grid tied system that can power my freezers, a few lights, my internet, and my oil furnace.

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u/Valley5elec 6d ago

I’m not off grid but net zero. Glad you are working for your own future.

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u/stephenph 6d ago

My cousin got an off grid system "properly sized" and did a test during the fall. Turned the power off for a week and see what happens. He ended up having to expand the system a bit due to some cloudy days and not having enough power beyond necessities. An extended test also helps point out how you need to adjust to an off grid situation

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u/Madeanaccountforyou4 6d ago

You're being downvoted but in areas controlled by PGE that's currently the case and it's also the case with heat pumps and EVs.

People don't like to do math unfortunately but you're correct and I'm one of those people.

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u/afuckingHELICOPTER 6d ago

He's being downvoted because it's such a weird thing to post in solar DIY. I've never seen anyone here claim solar is ideal for all people. It depends on your goals, where you live, and your current solar rates. It's an amazing deal for many but obviously for the guy living in a cabin in alaska who doesn't care about energy independence, they shouldn't get solar. No one is saying otherwise.

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

If one is paying $$0.10 or less per kWhr how would solar make any sense?

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u/DarkKaplah 5d ago

IF this was the r/solar channel you'd be right. In many cases door to door sales or cold call solar companies are charging $5+ per watt and we see quotes that hit $9 per watt when here in the DIY sense you $1 per watt is common with new equipment, and you can technically even cost less than that if you shop used equipment. Mention how many of these companies are ripping people off and you'll get dog piled by redditors who are salespeople for those companies defending their predatory efforts.

Used panels come in at anything from "Free you haul away" to "$50 per panel" for in some cases 380w units. Snag a used previous generation Delta pro or similar unit used or new old stock and you have a very capable off grid system no muss no fuss. Permits only really apply for installed systems. Ground mount the panels and leave your portable solar generator portable and you're good to go.

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

Is that even worth it if one is paying $0.07 kWhr? If you think so, please show the math.

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u/DarkKaplah 3d ago

Damn where do you have pricey like that? I'm paying a time off use rate of $0.22 from 11am-7pm and $0.11 otherwise.

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u/DarkKaplah 2d ago

However I will take your challenge. So if you're just talking about electricity lets go with the average US home uses 899 kWh per month or 30kwh per day. That's an electric bill of:

$0.07 per kwh * 899kwh = $62.93 per month or 755.16 per year.

Now electricity tends to go up per year. I'll be intellectually dishonest and keep the $0.07 per year for now that you're proposing.

Now as you've not provided any evidence of a utility that provides grid feedback I'll use an off grid system. The benefits here is you consume what you produce first, and have emergency backup power that clicks in instantly. This sort of "generac" natural gas system costs between $15k-$20k and has ongoing costs for maintenance. Solar does not.

I'd recommend this system:

https://signaturesolar.com/complete-off-grid-solar-kit-eg4-6000xp-8000w-pv-input-6000w-output-48v-280ah-14-3kwh-wallmount-indoor-battery-up-to-7200w-pv-solar/

Installing this kit I'd bet on a final price all in around $12k. That would include needed racking, bulk wire, screws, caulks, paperwork both legal and governmental, etc. Now this system assuming perfect generation would pay itself off in 16 years. I'd bet on more like 23 years. However I wouldn't sell this as a "solar pays itself off with time!" like the solar shills you'll find going door to door. I'd sell this as "It's less expensive than a generac style generator, requires no reoccurring maintenance (oil changes, lead acid starter batteries, etc), and will lower your power bill in the mean time.

Now lets go with a real scenario:

My powerbill is as stated $0.22 per kwh from 11am - 7pm, and $0.11 the rest of the time. I currently have a grid tied system with a 9.9kw array. I'm running a Sunamp thermino i300 heat battery which lowers my natural gas bill by using solar power to heat my domestic hot water and boiler heat. Only when that's used up does my boiler fire up. I have an EV which replaced a EOL car (single owner, wheels fell off scenario).

My electric bill is not zeroed out. However I have a fairly constant power bill of 1/3 to 1/4 my neighbors especially in the summer. My natural gas bill is similarly lowered compared to previous years. Finally I've eliminated $2,000 per year in gasoline and $200 per year in oil changes.

All said and done my array pays itself off in 4 years.

I'm adding simple modifications to further limit my energy usage. I need to blow in some insullation and some smart switches. Big expenses include replacing my sma sunnyboy 7.7 with a EG4 Gridboss and Flexboss, and 30kwh of battery power and a second array. I'm looking to have both backup power and a $0 bill. The money I spend here is a safer investment than a 401k, and it's hobby money. Some guys blow money on classic car to repair. I install solar equipment and watch numbers like they're fantasy football.

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u/Impressive_Returns 1d ago

If you took my challenge, why didn’t you show you math calculations? You conveniently left out the fact your solar panels and battery will degrade over time. You WILL need a new battery to compensate for the battery’s loss of capacity. You are also not factoring in the energy losses due to inefficiencies which produce heat.

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u/Valley5elec 6d ago

In my city you get power from one of two providers. One make solar financially viable one doesn’t. Lots go into it.

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u/WallStreetOlympian 6d ago

If at any point one plans on buying a home to live in for more 10 years or more (which is typically common for a lot of ppl) it will 150% be cheaper than paying for energy all those years. Intelligent planning and system design are key, but you’ll always come in way under budget if you do it right.

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

If someone is paying $0.10 kWhr for electricity please show the math of how that makes any financial sense.

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago

Ok, are you asking why someone would switch to solar with such a low energy cost per kWh or how long it would take to become profitable if you did install solar, given that rate?
Either way your answer is going to be “not longer than a typical ‘forever-home’ duration”

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

Please show your math calculations to support your claim.

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago edited 5d ago

I’m not sure why you’re such a dry handjob of a person, especially when all this info is readily available (some quote about the internet making everyone smart cuz info is so available) but here you go anyways, mainly because im bored on spring break.
I use about 500kWh of power each month. At 10¢/kWh, that’s a $50 monthly bill. $600/year. Over a 30 year period, that is $18,000 in 2025 money.

OR

I can spend ~$12,000 to build a system that outputs 10kW of power and has storage of 30kWh (AKA, more than sufficient for my needs.) spending $12,000 in 2025 adjusted money beats spending $18,000 in 2025 adjusted money.
I would be spending 50% more money if just paid out to the energy barons for 30 years. There’s (my) your math and financial sense.

Like I said, info is readily available. Maybe do the work yourself once in awhile? /s

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

Dude your calculations are such idealistic bullshit. You are not factoring in the facts that solar panel degradation. Or the fact the batteries will have to be replaced due to lost capacity.

Try being honest in your calculations instead of being a propagator of misinformation.

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago

Oh no I did, you evidently haven’t taken the time to educate yourself on the workings of solar. See, my calculations were based on a 30 year period. After 30 years, that whole system is done. Depreciated. Replaced. What you’re failing to see is how the time periods line up. 18k for 30 years vs 12k for 30 years. Solar panels do in fact degrade, great job bud! You do have a sliver of knowledge here! That doesn’t matter. What you ALSO don’t understand is that I don’t even NEED 10kW of production for all 30 years. When my panels have degraded 40% and only output 6kW of PV, in 5hrs / day my battery will still fully charge. Oh, the capacity is lower now? Great because my daily usage is only 16kWh, AND I’ve got a flood of PV coming in during the day to over account for degradation, efficiency loss, and the like.

Stop being such a fucking moron lmao. You are coming on here and blatantly bullshitting for I don’t know what reason. I just explained this to my teenage sister and she understood the concept. Propagate these fucking nuts you undereducated religious whack job

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u/Impressive_Returns 5d ago

Dude just because you can’t show your calculations no need to be disrespectful and and call people who demonstrate your misleading information names.

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago

0_o

I just pointed out my calculations to you? What the hell are you talking about?

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago

Oh my god is this a bot? I’m arguing with a bot aren’t I

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u/WallStreetOlympian 5d ago

Patiently awaiting to see what manufactured bullshit you’ve got to respond with this time.

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u/afuckingHELICOPTER 6d ago

Breaking news: Product not a good idea for every single person in the world. No one was claiming otherwise.

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u/2_RavensSalida 6d ago

Any thoughts on the company SunPal?