Residential Solar in Los Angeles

Residential - January 2024

Patience is a virtue with this Los Angeles case study still in progress.

Quick Facts

Average Annual Savings

$3,109

Net Investment

$18,434

Return on Investment

16.9%

Property

Owner:: Ryan
Type:: Residential
Address:: Los Angeles, CA 90065
Size:: 2,300 sq ft

Technology

Type:: Solar PV
Installed:: January 2024
Size of System:: 9.84 kW
Purposes:: To generate electricity

Financial Details

Gross Cost of System:: $26,334
Value of Tax Credits:: $7,900
Net Cost of System:: $18,434
Annual Savings:: $3,109
Own or Lease:: Cash Purchase
Additional Financial Notes:: Rewired EV meter into main panel +$750. Installed new roof +22K.

Professionals & Suppliers

Products:: REC; Enphase
Installers:: Green Conception Inc

What You Need to Know

Description:

Rooftop Solar (9.84 kW DC, 9.2 Kw AC) with 19 410AA Pure Alpha REC panels (flush mounting) and Enphase micro inverters (IQ8M-72-2-US). Enlighten combiner box by Enphase with Wi-Fi monitoring. Old EV car electric meter was uninstalled and re-wired into main panel.

Other Benefits:

TBD

Maintenance Requirements:

TBD

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Switched to electric heat pump dryer and installed EV charger many years ago. Hope to replace water heater with hybrid heat pump model and induction stove after I've had some time with the new panels operating.

My Motivation:

Have wanted to install solar for the last decade. Had time off of work to do the research and plan the installation.

Advice:

Do your research and find a good installer but know this isn't a guarantee of a smooth process. Make sure installers follow the plan originally agreed on. After installation, follow up with installers and make sure permits are in process. If your municipality is slow to replace the electric meter and issue the permit to operate you might want to take up meditation or other stress relieving activities.

Experience with Installer:

This was an "easy" job but installer was willing to work with us on panel placement and running electric pipe on roof. Solar installation was very quick - 1 day. It has been a month since then and we are still waiting for our utility LADWP to replace the electric meter and grant a permit to operate. While waiting for our initial LADWP inspection I had a long talk with the lead installer who gave me lots of useful information about how the system works. Once system is operating I'll update.

Additional Notes:

Also redid the roof and replaced rotting fascia with a subcontractor hired by Green Conception. After contract was initially signed in December it took 1.5 months for roofing installation to commence (this was biggest delay to solar installation). Roof installation completed in 3 days. Solar installation occurred on the next business day. Final permits for roofing are not yet completed 1 month after installation. Also, installer has agreed on small fixes but has no date for completion yet. Because my system isn't operating I don't have anything to add about the panels. Will update when system is operating.

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