BMW teams up with solar company to provide discount solar charging

[solar_dave]

http://solarchargeddriving.com/news/...s-into-pv.html

BMW of North America is working with Real Goods Solar to offer BMW ActiveE drivers the potential to get all the energy to charge their EV at home from sustainable solar energy. Real Goods Solar will install solar panels on the homes of ActiveE drivers, known as Electronauts, at a substantial savings of approximately 35 percent.

[rhodomel]

It has also been suggested to GM before. The prices quoted were very repulsive that it would still be better to install the panels yourself.

So I'd like to see the actual pricing of the installed solar panels from Real Goods Solar. We can now get solar PV panels that are on sale, if you looked hard enough, at less than $1.50/peak watt, including the inverter and roof fittings. If you're a handy man, you can install these yourself, plus some hired labor (costs $120/day/laborer), it is not rocket science, just carpentry skills. If you can repair a roof or assemble a table, you should be able to do it. The hardest part is connecting it to the grid, if you want it grid tied, and you will have to hire a licensed electrician for that, and he will also help you with the permits. It is just a half-a-day's job for electrician to do the inspection and final installation, and would be happy to get $500 for the job. Total cost should not be more than $2/watt installed DIY, along with your hired labor and electrician. You wouldn't bother any rebates for this.

Problem with installers is that they jack up the price before you get the discount. Whenever the states have higher rebates, the higher the jacked-up price. The installer know you will be getting the solar PV rebates and so they jack up the prices accordingly. To date, the only bottle neck of solar PV adoption are the installers.

Real Goods Solar can bulk buy the solar panels at less than $0.80/peak watt. But if they are charging more than $2/watt installed after all the discounts and rebates, they are no better than the other greedy solar PV installers.

[solar_dave]

While all that is true, many people don't have the skills to install solar, even the DIY portions. I know here to pull the needed permits a stamped structural drawing needs to be included with the wiring design. Some have HOA requirements that require the install be done by a solar contractor. Some have requirements that an approved installer is selected to get an interconnect agreement with the utility. An experienced solar installer can navigate the myriad of paper work required by the local code authorities and the utilities.

FYI a turnkey system can be done here for about $4 a watt.

Edit:
Real business have real costs, payroll taxes, social security taxes, engineering staff, accounts payable and receivable, phone support, sales ... While it is true that a DIY install can be done cheaper I would hardly call a company providing a fully installed system under contract for $4 a watt greedy. You,do a DIY and you have no support and you are the system owner, integrator, support and engineering. While you can purchase materials in the $2-$3 range for a system, a business provides a service that is reasonably priced @ $4 a watt.

[airton]

I have a site evaluation setup with Realgoods Solar for Tuesday and will keep you guys posted on how the Electronaut deal works out...

Airton

[larry4pyro]

There's a problem starting to form on the horizon for solar users here in California. In order to make solar useful, most people need a Net Metering agreement with their utility. Basically that means the energy generated during the day when no one is home is sent to the grid, turning your meter backwards. When folks come home in the evening and start using power, like charging your Volt, they actually draw power off the grid, but get credited for the solar power they generated during the day. Without Net Metering you have to come-up with a different means of storing power, which could add considerably to the cost.

The law says the utilities have to grant Net Metering to users generating up to 5% of the peak demand. The utilities now want to redefine how this limit is measured. If this new definition is accepted the 5% point could be reached a lot sooner. If this happens, the utility of residential solar will be greatly reduced, stifling the solar industry.

Net-Metering Decision Could Shape The Future Of California's Solar Market
http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107...?content.10262

[dax777]

I have a site evaluation setup with Realgoods Solar for Tuesday and will keep you guys posted on how the Electronaut deal works out...

Airton

I would be really interested in your findings on the solar evaluation...keep us posted...

[Mary Joh]

California has a proposal on the table to increase the net metering percentage currently available to
California residents. If passed, this will provide an additional revenue stream for a financially depressed
state.

Mary Joh

http://solaruniverselosangeles.com/sce