do solar panels reduce property value?

[mgopilot]

My electric bills are non-existant. 2009 the system will have paid for itself (self-installed 199. You would think the value added would be equal to the monthly electric bill of a similar sized/equiped house times about 100, at present rates.

[railgal]

Originally Posted by mgopilot

My electric bills are non-existant. 2009 the system will have paid for itself (self-installed 199. You would think the value added would be equal to the monthly electric bill of a similar sized/equiped house times about 100, at present rates.

Your system is self contained. IE off the grid. May I ask, how much did it cost you to build your system and how big is it? Also, how did you determine the amount of money you saved by going to this system? IE, do you have a neighbor with a similiar size home that is still on the grid, which whom you can consult to compare savings?

[mgopilot]

Yes, my system is 600 watts of panels full (both ways on 14' x 4" Galv, Stl. pole) tracking, 50 amp charge control w/lightning protection, and 8-L16 350Ah 6V batteries in two banks of 24V, 2-DR2424 (2400/4000 watt) inverters w/com link for 220VAC. Standard into the house main breaker box. $9,100 (199 labor savings at least $5,000. Battery replacement scheduled 8 years @ $1,600 (total $10,700). Nearby similar houses average electric bills are $100/month w/ gas heat, electric refridge (mine is propane, so I had to adjust). 800 sq. ft.
There is also an all electric similar house nearby and my savings over that are $50/month, net, for heat/hot water/stove-oven. So, after 2009 my net monthly savings over a gas/electric house will be $95, and over the all electric $145. At present rates. (and R21 walls, R30 clg.) Also, my mortgage is for 1/3 home value from multi-trade do-it-yourself (w/ wife and young son as helpers). This is most significant ($455/mo. less for payments than a 2/3 loan at present rates). With R-30 strawbale or tire walls the gas heat savings would be an additional $50/mo. and with passive solar/thermal mass almost zero.
My particular zone is 5.5 daily winter sun hours average, down to -20 F winters, 15" annual rainfall. An underground house in Phoenix would stay at 70F all the time and need fewer solar panels. So location is very significant. (to me, seeing Phoenix is disgusting and sad).

[railgal]

Originally Posted by mgopilot

Yes, my system is 600 watts of panels full (both ways on 14' x 4" Galv, Stl. pole) tracking, 50 amp charge control w/lightning protection, and 8-L16 350Ah 6V batteries in two banks of 24V, 2-DR2424 (2400/4000 watt) inverters w/com link for 220VAC. Standard into the house main breaker box. $9,100 (199 labor savings at least $5,000. Battery replacement scheduled 8 years @ $1,600 (total $10,700). Nearby similar houses average electric bills are $100/month w/ gas heat, electric refridge (mine is propane, so I had to adjust). 800 sq. ft.
There is also an all electric similar house nearby and my savings over that are $50/month, net, for heat/hot water/stove-oven. So, after 2009 my net monthly savings over a gas/electric house will be $95, and over the all electric $145. At present rates. (and R21 walls, R30 clg.) Also, my mortgage is for 1/3 home value from multi-trade do-it-yourself (w/ wife and young son as helpers). This is most significant ($455/mo. less for payments than a 2/3 loan at present rates). With R-30 strawbale or tire walls the gas heat savings would be an additional $50/mo. and with passive solar/thermal mass almost zero.
My particular zone is 5.5 daily winter sun hours average, down to -20 F winters, 15" annual rainfall. An underground house in Phoenix would stay at 70F all the time and need fewer solar panels. So location is very significant. (to me, seeing Phoenix is disgusting and sad).

So, I take it, you install your pv system yourself.
Which is what I would like to do.
Did you take any classes or instruction courses, prior to your installation?

[mgopilot]

I am a lifetime member, or Hard Corps, of Real Goods so I get a 5% discount. They have several books at their website,. "The Independent Home" and "The Solar Electric House". There are others, and may be available at your local library (which would start the savings). The panels, charge controllers, and inverters can be cost compared with web searches. Wire, batteries, clips, 1"x1" Al. "L's"etc. locally. Kansas Wind Power has much of what you'll need in the midwest (they carry solar panels, too). Good luck, and may you never get hit by a tornado!
It is fairly simple, and DC is safer than AC (although the batteries drain quick if you cross the terminals with a conductor). Multiple ground rods should be joined with smaller wires to equalize "potential" so the system doesn't attract lightning(this fact was not in the books in 199.