Solar Spreadsheet. PPA, Bought, PCUC Numbers

[Dave1478]

I made this when I was researching solar. Solar City or any lease plan is terrible, let me know what you all think. Main reason for posting this is to show what the numbers are for people considering a PPA lease.

Ok I can't get this thing to display properly...Fail.

[MikeInRialto]

Leases/PPAs may suit some people who can't pay for a system upfront and can't acquire financing. I have a fried who got a new breaker box panel put in and PV syste/m installed with zero out of pocket - he was given the coice for .17/watt for 20 years -or- .14 with a 2.9% annual escalator.

So when I consider what I paid out of pocket up front to purchase my system with the amount I will save over years, and then look at what he will be paying - it comes out very close. Had I taken the money I spent and put in the bank, at the end of 20 years I'd still have the same amount with some interest (although minimal), not to mention his escalated rate 20 years from now will be paid with 2036 dollar value.

....just like there are decent, excellent, and bad purchase prices - I'm sure there are decent, excellent, and bad lease/PPAs out there.

[J.P.M.]

Leases/PPAs may suit some people who can't pay for a system upfront and can't acquire financing. I have a fried who got a new breaker box panel put in and PV syste/m installed with zero out of pocket - he was given the coice for .17/watt for 20 years -or- .14 with a 2.9% annual escalator.

So when I consider what I paid out of pocket up front to purchase my system with the amount I will save over years, and then look at what he will be paying - it comes out very close. Had I taken the money I spent and put in the bank, at the end of 20 years I'd still have the same amount with some interest (although minimal), not to mention his escalated rate 20 years from now will be paid with 2036 dollar value.

....just like there are decent, excellent, and bad purchase prices - I'm sure there are decent, excellent, and bad lease/PPAs out there.

Which is one of the many reasons to get informed, learn something of the time value of money and comparison of alternative type of analysis, and understand how the electric bill game is played by the POCOs. The financial goal here is to minimize long term cost of power over some time period of your choosing considering as many variables as pertinent.

It helps to have a clear and objective eye with a long view when doing such things.