Newbie question - If solar can only offset 45-50% of power use, is it still worth it?

[Alisobob]

.... don't expect the solar peddlers to know or say anything about it.

Nope....

[J.P.M.]

I wonder how this rate reform is going to reshape solar industry, it will likely lead to thinner profit margins causing many (local) players to go belly up, not to mention the tax credit may be reduced. Still I think now is a good time to get solar while you can still benefit from the current rate structure and the credit.

In CA at least, if things get to a point where prices for solar and grid power are closer to true marketing forces without the distorting influence that tax credits/subsidies that work effectively only for the affluent, or the politically skewed rate structures have on things, there may be improvement.

I liked my solar tax credit and I'm not one to leave money on the table, but IMO, solar tax credits hurt solar energy in the long run by allowing a lot of otherwise unqualified peddlers to put out shoddy product. Additionally, those folks will be out of business after tax credits reduce or get eliminated - try to get service.

I'd bet on 01/01/2017 prices drop. Tax credits were always for/about mfgs./vendors anyway. If there had never been a 30% tax credit, solar prices would be lower, maybe not by 30% but I'd bet pretty close to that (a moot point), and the product would be better in a more competitive environment that did not enable inferior quality or vendors to survive on bloated prices made possible by 30% save stories spoon fed to consumers.

[SleepingDragon]

If you are hitting tier 3+4 going solar probably still a worthwhile move. I wouldn't do solarcity though. Like everyone is saying, CA may have bill structure and rates changes coming. First will be the increased flat fee from $.94 to $10 whether you use any electricity or not. Next is the gradual tiers elimination. Lower tiers prices goes up while higher tiers goes down. Remember, all these proposed changes still requires CPUC to approve. There will likely be some of the utils request getting rejected or modified. Even if all these changes does take effect, batteries are slowly coming into play and one day we can say goodbye to the grid altogether... wishful thinking? Maybe, but I want to say goodbye to SCE and their arrogant monopolistic behavior.