ICE v Electric: Cost and Emissions

[Ripitz]

and if they had a power wall they wouldn’t receive a bill at all

 

[x10003q]

They were using them in their garages, which is not like the ICEs that killed people from carbon monoxide trying to stay warm.

The ICEs didnt kill anybody, the idiots and morons did.

 

[x10003q]

and if they had a power wall they wouldn’t receive a bill at all

Power walls are free now?

 

[Ripitz]

My friend who has one paid nothing out of pocket. The payment is equal to his previous electric bill. So yes, for him it was essentially free. An ICE generator would have cost him money out of pocket and would do nothing 99% of the time. He also has full backup power for three days. He could go over a week using essentials only. Besides, the system is not dependent on the grid. It recharges using panels so he can keep going for weeks if necessary.

 

[Tjf1967]

My friend who has one paid nothing out of pocket. The payment is equal to his previous electric bill. So yes, for him it was essentially free. An ICE generator would have cost him money out of pocket and would do nothing 99% of the time. He also has full backup power for three days. He could go over a week using essentials only. Besides, the system is not dependent on the grid. It recharges using panels so he can keep going for weeks if necessary.m

If you put a system like that in you are not doing it to save money. You don't. Maybe 15 years out but I even doubt that. I've done the math. You don't put these systems in to save money.
You can't even overproduce and get paid anymore. They use credits. You use to get a check for the discounted rate on your anniversary for what was excess to the grid.

 

[Campgottagopee]

My friend who has one paid nothing out of pocket. The payment is equal to his previous electric bill. So yes, for him it was essentially free. An ICE generator would have cost him money out of pocket and would do nothing 99% of the time. He also has full backup power for three days. He could go over a week using essentials only. Besides, the system is not dependent on the grid. It recharges using panels so he can keep going for weeks if necessary.

My dad has a diesel generator backup in his house. All he has to do is flip one switch on the panel and the entire house is lit up. That thing will run for years, and the cost of that generator was nowhere near, what, 10 to 15k?

 

[Ripitz]

There are several manufacturers of solar charged portable power systems that have a lower price point. They range in size and some can be wired to power a home. They provide power with no noise and zero emissions. They are great for backup power, camping and remote job sites.

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[x10003q]

My friend who has one paid nothing out of pocket. The payment is equal to his previous electric bill.

He must have an expensive electric bill.
I average about $50/month for electric delivery and use. A 3k solar system would cost me about $7k-$9k without batteries. Add about $10k for 1 solar wall unit. NJ has a generation incentive now called a TREC - which generates about $90/1000kwh plus my $600/year current cost for generation would equal $870/yr. NJ only allows systems that produce roughly what you use, so minimal money at wholesale rates for generating overage.
So without the battery, using simple math (no loss of future value on the spend, increase in rates, loss of panel efficiency, maintenance), I am looking at a 10 year payback. With the battery system it would be twice as long.

So yes, for him it was essentially free. An ICE generator would have cost him money out of pocket and would do nothing 99% of the time. He also has full backup power for three days. He could go over a week using essentials only. Besides, the system is not dependent on the grid. It recharges using panels so he can keep going for weeks if necessary.

ICE generators can be had for $300/3500 watt or $600/6800 watt (dual fuel). I have run my house on our 1500 watt generator when we lose power (4 times in 10 years) including heat but no AC. A 5 gallon gas can will last me almost 10 days. If he is not hooked to the grid, he is subject to other issues if he loses his system. His battery portion is still incredibly expensive (about 17 times for 1 battery wall panel) when compared to using the grid as a battery and having a rarely used ICE generator.

I am all for solar if it works. In states like Texas it should be on every new home (it is not). We might install solar if the payback is reduced to 5 years, The battery portion is still incredibly expensive and not worth it.

 

[Kingslug]

We looked into solar..too may trees. Can't even get satellite TV. But our whole house generator has saved us so many times I can't count. Those trees..tend to come down a lot around here.

 

[Harvey]

We looked into solar..too may trees. Can't even get satellite TV. But our whole house generator has saved us so many times I can't count. Those trees..tend to come down a lot around here.

I resemble this remark.