The Costly Habit of NO

Since I'm in the solar industry, people like to ask me all sorts of questions about the subject. Usually the questions are regarding whether or not they'll actually save you money. Recently I read a story in my new favorite Seth Godin book that well illustrated the issue. He says walk up to someone in a train station and tell them you are selling $5 bills (pull out and show them) for only $1. They'll instantly walk away from you and think you're trying to rip them off. Seth Godin says this is because the story of don't talk to strangers at the train station got there long before you. It doesn't matter how good the deal is or how honest you are, it's just too strongly entrenched as a habit. We say NO if anything seems to good to be true, especially if it's regarding money.

So here's to me yet again rambling about a subject that no one will believe. Yes solar panels can save you money. Though, some of the financing terms are designed to take advantage of your lack of due diligence, many good products do still exist. Depending on your tax situation (in other words assuming you pay them and can use a credit) paying cash is typically the biggest return on investment. Since these things are expensive, and few have such liquidity, financing is very common. The only thing I can say here is money is not free. Just like at the train station we are programmed to say no, why do we think money is somehow free when we want to pay for something? Find out the cash cost of the system and then look at the payment options.

Once you have solar, many who lease are told no maintenance is needed and that your lease company will do all the maintenance. I've yet to see my neighbors with leased systems get their modules cleaned. Lease companies that sell power based on system production (PPA) must see an economic benefit to rolling a truck out to your home to clean modules, so they can in turn charge you more money for power produced. If they are motivated by production increase, you have even less hope of getting modules washed. The reality is they aren't going to see a return here most time, so no cleaning is going to happen. I wash my panels once or twice a year, usually spring and summer. Right after washing the panels, I saw a 10% production increase this year. For most lease companies this would result in very close to a break even, if not a loss.

What to do? Well cleaned and maintained items always last longer. So I choose to wash my panels. I just use some Simple Green on the hard to remove debris, otherwise Dawn or a vinegar solution works well. I have used rubbing alcohol on very hard to remove sap, don't ask me why modules were located under a tree. If you are looking for a service, call The Solar Company

Whether you decide to have your solar modules washed or just allow the rain to do that for you, production will likely only increase by a max of 15% annually. This still isn't a reason not to buy that $5 bill at the train station for $1, it's too good of a deal to pass up. Take a moment to assess the situation and not just write it off as another scam.