Solar City

[oilerlord]

The system they'll sell me costs $86,000 per their report.

I get a $26,000 credit when I file tax return for 2015, so net cost is $60,000

I'm just starting to look at this, but this sounds like a pretty good deal.

Any feedback?

Since you're looking for "any" feedback...I continue to be amazed at how much of a sales racket that renewable energy has become. Solar city bills $86,000 and pockets a huge profit while taxpayers subsidize $26,000; and we generally accept this as normal. I'm not at all judging anyone, or inviting a political rant because I'd also take advantage of tax credits if they were available in my area. I'm only making an observation about how solar providers are gaming the system in what has become a solar power gold rush. Because I don't have those subsidies (or a $60,000 budget), I was forced to research / procure a system I could afford. I bought 9.4kW of pre-owned 5-year old Sunpower modules. Including new micros, mounts, racking, labor (including some of my own DIY), etc, my project is going to come in under $15,000.

All the best, and good luck with your installation.

[J.P.M.]

I would figure out a way to reduce electricity usage then go from there

Big +1 on that one.

[gene1138]

For SC I think Musk is taking a page out of the Apple playbook. Take a commodity product, put some heavy marketing spin on it, tout how special they are, charge a premium and get the customer to feel thankful for getting charged that premium.

Tesla on the other hand LI batteries aren't down to commodity pricing so he can still charge a premium and his cars do have performance stats that rival some really top end cars.

But anywho. Back to talking about choosing a solar install.

[rhedayi]

I would figure out a way to reduce electricity usage then go from there

[russ]

I think it has something to do with Musk. Seems to me he can't build anything cheap and he's not real forthcoming with details that help to make an informed choice about his products.

It has to do with his business attitude - gouge as hard as you can!

[SanDiego_installer]

Hey Dave, even if Elon Musk offers to install your panels personally........DO NOT pay $5/Watt for solar. Shop around and look for a local company with 5+ years of experience and nearby references that you can check out. On a system of this size, you should be at $3/Watt. Good luck.

[Ian S]

Replace "SolarCity" in your post with "Tesla" and either would be a correct statement IMO only.

The Tesla car at least is quite competitive with other high end sports sedans in performance, style, and comfort. SolarCity OTOH uses the cheapest components it can source and sells the package at a premium price. Not the same IMO only, of course.

[J.P.M.]

I dunno, info on the Tesla cars seems readily available. Sure they're expensive but IMHO, a high end car would have been the only possible route to take initially. As for Space-X, I would assume the clients for such a thing have their own experts to grill the company reps pretty thoroughly. SolaCity as we all would probably agree employs aggressive sales tactics, plenty of marketing hype and a somewhat overpriced product. But that's pretty much the American way in many business models. Bose and Dyson come to mind.

Replace "SolarCity" in your post with "Tesla" and either would be a correct statement IMO only.

Yup - it's just business. Been saying that all along. Also say Caveat Emptor a lot. Musk is a car salesman. Fine to me, it takes all kinds of capitalists to run the system. But as with any any new product, I'll wait a bit and see what flushes out.

[Ian S]

I think it has something to do with Musk. Seems to me he can't build anything cheap and he's not real forthcoming with details that help to make an informed choice about his products.

I dunno, info on the Tesla cars seems readily available. Sure they're expensive but IMHO, a high end car would have been the only possible route to take initially. As for Space-X, I would assume the clients for such a thing have their own experts to grill the company reps pretty thoroughly. SolaCity as we all would probably agree employs aggressive sales tactics, plenty of marketing hype and a somewhat overpriced product. But that's pretty much the American way in many business models. Bose and Dyson come to mind.

[J.P.M.]

Not that I can really offer much more than what everyone has already said but I had SC in and quoted a 3.8 kw system for 25 grand. I had someone else come in to quote and they were able to do a 5 kw system for 6 grand cheaper. Needless to say I think SC is just over priced.

I think it has something to do with Musk. Seems to me he can't build anything cheap and he's not real forthcoming with details that help to make an informed choice about his products.

[gene1138]

Not that I can really offer much more than what everyone has already said but I had SC in and quoted a 3.8 kw system for 25 grand. I had someone else come in to quote and they were able to do a 5 kw system for 6 grand cheaper. Needless to say I think SC is just over priced.

[SunEagle]

Compared to how well informed and prepared most of their marks are, it would seem SolarCity peddlers and most others are fit for the purpose of shearing sheep.

.... .

Reminds me of some of the loan sharks you had to deal with to borrow any money in the NY/NJ area years ago.

[paris401]

This matches what many others had reported, so I suspect it all comes from their training.

I agree... I went with a local guy... not the cheapest for sure...BUT... he had a great presentation, and he gave me 6 sheets with names/address/email/phone numbers of installs they did.. and he urged me to pick out a couple/few and give them a call... and this was after I made my decision to go with them... he said make the calls b4 u sign with me... I was impressed by the low-pressure sales pitch...

[gvl]

I don't see em as so well trained... when I got their quote, and others, I decided to buy elsewhere.. when I told the solarcity salesman , he started to go ballistic... the next sound he heard was the click of me hanging up... maybe they r well trained, but not this one...

This matches what many others had reported, so I suspect it all comes from their training.

[J.P.M.]

I don't see em as so well trained... when I got their quote, and others, I decided to buy elsewhere.. when I told the solarcity salesman , he started to go ballistic... the next sound he heard was the click of me hanging up... maybe they r well trained, but not this one...

Compared to how well informed and prepared most of their marks are, it would seem SolarCity peddlers and most others are fit for the purpose of shearing sheep.

I bet some peddlers even show up with the high boots so the marks can't run when the high pressure tactics begin.

My apologies to any readers who lease and are not sheep. My sympathies to those who couldn't run.