Solar panels increase house prices.

[russ]

You can sit at your computer keyboard and disagree all you like.

Unlike you, some of us have experience. I worked in the business for many, many years and around the world - not just in Texas. Your reading would make a good comic book though.

Caution

[TxSolarPro]

I'm sorry but I beg to differ for many reasons. Terrorism? Really?

We all know pricing is a result of supply and demand. Petroleum companies run this country, if you think that's untrue then your understanding of politics is lacking. These companies have invested many billions in hydraulic fracturing to recover NG. Now nobody is producing, they are just sitting on their reserves because prices are too low. Prices will increase and I realize that the supply pipeline is a few years away. I track the liquefaction plant progress because we are actually in that industry as well. I'm not sure of your background exactly or what makes you such an expert but I'm in the hydrocarbon industry here in Texas as well and I see big dogs betting $billions on the fact that NG prices will increase. These same big dogs pretty much write the laws in our country (I'm not saying that's a good thing) so I think it will happen. You can sit at your computer keyboard and disagree all you like.

[russ]

Your understanding is totally off except that there is a market.

The supply can increase fairly rapidly. The costs in LNG are 1) the liquefaction plant, 2 the shipping, 3) the storage and gasification plant at the receiving end.

The liquefaction and gasification plants are expensive and not real quick to build. Everyone custom designs. There will be lawsuits trying to stop each of the plants I expect. They can be literally immense bombs in the event anything goes wrong. Great terrorist targets. No one wants them in their back yard. That is the reason the receiving point for one in New Orleans is offshore - even more expensive.

The ships are built to special order - there are none sitting around just waiting for cargo.

The is one of Obama's loony ideas to try to cover up his mess in the Ukraine. It will be years before any of it comes on line.

[TxSolarPro]

I'm not an expert on natural gas but I do know LNG exports are about to take off substantially. There are several new plants in the works. I have connections that deal with LNG and there are people overseas offering to buy buy buy but we have too little export capacity at this time. In the past 2 months (due to the Russia/Crimea conflict) the Obama administration has approved at least 7 additional LNG export facilities (liquification plants). With natural gas producing more of Texas' electricity (49%) than any other source it would make sense that an increase in natural gas prices will drive up electricity costs. Please inform me if my understanding is not correct.

[russ]

I think we will start to see quite a bit of natural gas exports over the next decade and I think electricity prices here in TX will increase. The energy will still probably be cheap here comparatively but it will open more doors for solar.

You make it apparent you are in marketing and know zip about natural gas and LNG. From what others in Texas and Dallas say you are a bit optimistic.

[TxSolarPro]

I think we will start to see quite a bit of natural gas exports over the next decade and I think electricity prices here in TX will increase. The energy will still probably be cheap here comparatively but it will open more doors for solar.

[TxSolarPro]

Dallas/Ft. Worth. Yes it's very subsidized here. With a utility rebate of $1.09 per watt we have a customer net cost of about $.75

[russ]

Hi everyone, here in Texas we are seeing significant appreciation in home values after solar installations and it is also not a taxable increase in value according to state law. Texas is working hard to help solar continue its advancement. I would also have to disagree with the comment comparing the panels to a water heater...if you let that kind of rationale affect your installation plans now you will have missed out on Tens of thousands of dollars in savings by the time you sell your house. Even if a prospective buyer is not crazy about the look of the system it's still saving them money and it's made you plenty of money over the previous decade as well. With our current rebates solar is pretty much a no-brainier for many people here.

Near Austin? With the utility prices you provided in another post going solar is never going to pay off without being in a area subsidizing you.

[TxSolarPro]

Hi everyone, here in Texas we are seeing significant appreciation in home values after solar installations and it is also not a taxable increase in value according to state law. Texas is working hard to help solar continue its advancement. I would also have to disagree with the comment comparing the panels to a water heater...if you let that kind of rationale affect your installation plans now you will have missed out on Tens of thousands of dollars in savings by the time you sell your house. Even if a prospective buyer is not crazy about the look of the system it's still saving them money and it's made you plenty of money over the previous decade as well. With our current rebates solar is pretty much a no-brainier for many people here.

[J.P.M.]

3rd that!

With any luck the leasing company decides 20 year old panels aren't worth the trouble and dumps them on you? Is that good or bad?

Depends. If working could be worse. If performance is deteriorated, maybe new, whatever technology is the darling at the time would be more cost effective. If roof hasn't leaked in 20 yrs., maybe time to reroof /w new solar. Yada, Yada, etc.

[russ]

WWW: FWIW, 2d that.

3rd that!

With any luck the leasing company decides 20 year old panels aren't worth the trouble and dumps them on you? Is that good or bad?

[J.P.M.]

I look at a solar system the same way as I do the water heater.

A 1 year old water heater would add to the value of the house as buyers wouldn't have to replace it for a few years. A 20 year old water heater is a liability as a prospective buyer would be deducting the cost to replace from the value of the house.

WWW

WWW: FWIW, 2d that.

[Wy_White_Wolf]

I look at a solar system the same way as I do the water heater.

A 1 year old water heater would add to the value of the house as buyers wouldn't have to replace it for a few years. A 20 year old water heater is a liability as a prospective buyer would be deducting the cost to replace from the value of the house.

WWW

[J.P.M.]

Is it defiantly worth having solar installed on my house? i really like the idea of it increasing the price of my property

See prior threads on this forum. lots of discussion. Opinions vary. Think long term. What will an array on your property look like in 10 yrs. compared to what may likely be available then ? Advantages vs. drawbacks. Think like someone likely to buy your house and assume they don't think like you, because they probably don't.

[russ]

In practice, real estate is rarely so rational.

Isn't that the truth though - Only one thing is sure in real estate it seems to me - do the opposite of what I do and you are a guaranteed winner. Earlier years I made a lot of money at it but the past 10 years - no.