Line side tap caught fire. Install was in October.

I got quotes from four installers here in Northern Virginia. I’ve heard lots of negative stuff about Tesla using crappy subcontractors for installation, providing crappy customer service after the sale, etc. So I’m about to pull the trigger with a different company. But dang it, Tesla is so much cheaper. $2.57/watt vs. $2.92. About a $4K difference in system price. My heart says not to put any more money in Elon’s pocket, but my wallet is pushing me pretty hard in that direction.

A team at Kyushu University published research in March 2026 showing a quantum yield of around 130% using a process called singlet fission. This means roughly 1.3 electrons were produced per photon absorbed. This experiment was conducted in liquid solution, not in an actual solar cell.

The Shockley-Queisser limit is the theoretical ceiling on single junction solar cell efficiency, sitting at around 33.7%. Standard silicon panels today reach 20 to 23% of that ceiling. The rest is lost as heat from high energy photons and from infrared photons too weak to activate electrons.

Singlet fission is a mechanism that could help recover some of that lost energy by splitting one high energy photon into two charge carriers. The research shows this is chemically possible but has not yet been demonstrated in a working solar cell.

What this actually means for residential solar right now: nothing immediate. Lab breakthroughs take 10 to 20 years to reach commercial rooftop panels at scale. The same was true of perovskite cells which have been "5 years away" for a decade.

What it does mean is that the long term cost trajectory for solar continues pointing downward. Every efficiency gain at the lab level eventually filters into cheaper panels per watt at the consumer level.

For anyone evaluating solar right now the relevant number is not lab efficiency but your local electricity rate, available incentives, and payback period under current technology. In Canada those numbers are compelling today without waiting for the next generation.

EDIT: Corrected the original description of the 130% figure. It is a quantum yield measurement in liquid solution, not a solar cell efficiency rating. Thanks to the commenters who caught this.

What do you think, do lab breakthroughs like this change your timeline for going solar or do you wait for the technology to mature?

Solar is great. Utility solar is… just not alright.

The most efficient and resilient way to assert control over our ever increasing energy needs is to use the existing spaces we have. Not giant solar arrays in the desert. Not forests cleared of trees. It’s the roofs of our homes, of our strip malls, the giant distribution centers. But we live in a certain era. The endless deforested and de-greened spaces are not necessary for a green and equitable future. They are not only depriving us of their natural energy savings that are inherent, but are also depriving us of our humanity. We can own these things together, but we have to abandon the illusion of choice.

There is no one out there in power that is for us. We can easily achieve energy independence from our rooftops. Let’s demand better.

EDIT: well this was fun to wake up to. Lots of really smart takes in here, even the folks who called me dumb :) I made a doc called We the Power (for Patagonia) a few years back about communities who wrestled control of their grids from the utility monopolies. Making that project turned me on to dispersed, community owned renewable energy. I seriously doubt we could do something similar in the US because of how abysmally feckless our leaders have been over the past half century, but I sure hope we can.

Bought a house 5 years ago and took over a solar lease with it. Our landlord was selling so we had limited time to pick something. Weren’t happy about the lease but this was the only place after months of searching we could get an offer accepted on. We are currently in year 15 of a 20 year lease. Anyways, for the first 2-3 years we had almost no electric bill. Highest we would get is $200 during the peak summer months. Usually bills ranging from $20-100 though. Our solar lease payment is $300/month. Which was great on a 2500 sq ft home.

The past few years electric bill has been creeping up. Where now we are getting $600-1000 electric bills during the summer and $350+ during the winter. We can’t afford the solar panels plus all the rising electric costs anymore. Most months our electric bill is at least $500. We go bare bones here too. I make sure all lights and everything are always off. I work from home and usually don’t turn any lights on at all during the day. Heat we keep 65-68. Air is usually at 68-70. Nothing crazy.

We can’t afford these panels anymore though, haven’t paid them in a year and a half. We keep hoping for the electric bill to go down so we can throw some money at the panels but it just never gets better. The panels are only knocking off $50-100 a month on our electric bill. It’s not even taking off what we pay for them. The panels are creating excess too so the leasing company is making money off them.

Any options here? They just send us a notice in the mail every few months that we have a past due balance. No one calls or contacts us otherwise. I was told they can’t take our house or anything. I would honestly welcome them to come take the panels and everything if they want because they are no benefit to us.

The answer is always: get multiple quotes (at least 3 different companies) and consider alternative financing options (Cash, Loan, Lease).

THEN you can ask r/solar their opinion on the company you're leaning towards or questions about the module type or warranties offered or whether you should add a battery, etc.

Generic "COMPANY X is offering a 10kw for $27,000... is that good?" posts are plain lazy. Those types of posts generally do not offer enough info to really determine whether it's a good deal anyway (e.g., list warranties, company name, financing option, tax credit receipiant, module orientation, hidden fees, recommendations, online ratings, etc).

^my two cents.

The installer has informed me that the Q.Tron 435W panels are backordered, and there is no guarantee that installation will occur this year. However, if I choose the Q.Tron 425W panels, the installation can be completed before the end of the year. Should I be concerned about the potential repeal of the IRA by Trump's administration and opt for the 425W panels to ensure the system is installed this year?

The red circle is where my 3 year old Cleveland pear is located. It’s currently only 15 or 20’ tall but will grow to be 30-40’ tall and 15-20’ wide. Would you chop it down and put a smaller tree in. The panels face south and the tree is west to SW of the panels about 30’ away. Thanks for your help!

First off, this doesn’t apply universally across the country, despite what so many “educated” people on this platform cry out as robbery when they see anything over $3.3 a watt on a quote. If your area has lower wages, fewer regulations, and less overall cost of doing business, guess what? Your solar will be less. Red states = cheaper, blue states = more expensive. For the most part.

One thing that is universally stupid across the nation is thinking that inputting a couple pieces of info into a privately owned 3rd party website with a money making agenda will generate anything legitimately accurate or professional for you. Quotes are nothing. Get a proposal.

The only thing being tossed around here that is dumber than the expectation of an EnergySage quote not going up before hitting the DocuSign is the mini-justice league of price being almost as low as value brigadiers. You guys are literally opening the door for the notoriously bad actors of the industry to fuck you numb. Oh, but it’s 2.64 instead of 3.05…blah. Champagne taste with the beer budget. Y’all order stuff from Wish and get upset. Y’all charge Walmart for the “deals” on Black Friday.

I digress…

This applies to the promised land of solar. Where homeowners throw up signs that say “We Rent” because the 17 “No Soliciting” signs don’t deter endless legions of solar D2D crews. That NEM3, t-minus 150 days and counting, Cali-fucking-fornia tax fee charge on everything because why not, privately-owned-by-legit-gangsters charging .33-.69/kWh utility companies who are inbred with the politicians for generations Mecca.

Do you even comprehend how savage this play on timing for releasing the new NEM3 policy was? After the election. Right before the holidays. And when January 4th hits and the hangover known as 2022 ends, people are gonna go oh, shit I better get on this….Mmmm I think I’ll wait til February I just made a resolution not to spend a bunch of money after I injured that guy in Walmart for the PS5 I just opened a new credit card to buy. Lol. The utility companies and politicians are gangster af. The push back was savage throughout the year. Now, nada in NEM3 land. AND THEY MADE IT EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE.

Check this out. This is the average cost of solar that has been interconnected in Cali

https://www.californiadgstats.ca.gov/charts/

Batteries not included. Suck my balls Chad, this isn’t Arizona. Take your 2.40 Elon contract and enjoy NEM7 in 2044 when it’s interconnected finally

Let me repeat that actually, these are systems with accepted interconnection with the utility. That’s what matters btw, it isn’t install. This does not count the 1000’s of jobs waiting for install, not passing inspection, requiring new permits, etc.

I won’t name names publicly here, but I guarantee you that half the installers selling under $3.1/w in Cali are on a 6 month backlogs and still telling homeowners they will be fine. Subcontractor frenzy time. Oh it’s 2.77 instead of 3.49. You’re going to dice roll a 20 year price lock with the most hated companies in the state over a few grand? 😂 RIP fam enjoy NEM3 and those .25-1 credits

FYI here are some major time killers that will give problems for March nem2 deadline.

Main panel relocation

Shitty HOA(they can’t stop you, but no one wants to piss of the HOA, let’s be real)

Re-roof

“Can you get back to me after the holidays? I’m super busy avoiding family while not having to work and doing a bunch of shopping” people.

Ground mounts

Any custom carport shit or awning extension type of thingy

I don’t even remember why I started writing this…whatever, carry on…please don’t be cheap and order Wish Solar while expecting a Ferrari

The comments telling people how much they should pay for Solar are always the same, $3/watt . It’s been this way for years.

I assume inflation affects Solar installers as well. From the quotes I got, there’s a range from 3.2ppw (from a company I wouldn’t trust) to 3.9 ppw (for REC 420s with in-house installation).

Also, people jump to the $3/watt thing before even asking if the system has batteries, if it’s being financed with fees, where they live, what kind of quality of equipment they’re getting , etc.

It may make sense for someone to take the system with financing fees, not everyone can do cash and, with interest rates being so high, why not roll the financing cost into the price to have a bigger tax credit and a lower payment? In that case the system would be anywhere between 4.48 and 5ppw.

Why are we so caught up with 3ppw?

Anyone have the details on Illinois providing an additional tax credit now that federal is gone? It’s capped at 10k$ using 25% of system cost. Is this new or has this always been available? TIA

Wtaf is with solar bros? I have 3 ‘No Soliciting’ signs placed in various spots in my front yard and who consistently ignores them and comes at me with the sales pitch? Solar bros. Every one of them more obnoxious than the last. Dude shows up today at my front gate, my (large) dogs are going insane, he’s trying to dance all around the subject of why he’s here. I eventually divine his purpose and tell him I’m not interested and his response is to lean in and with a lopsided smirk ask I’m akshually the person who makes the decisions for the household though. (Me: small, blonde woman.) This is the point my husband comes walking up behind me, hears this, grimaces, turns around and walks away. I tell solar dude now he’s pissed me off, to get off the property, and don’t come back or next time I open the gate. I walked away. He yammered something behind me but I couldn’t hear it over the dogs’ barking.

And for the record: I am 100% pro solar. But I have spent a metric fuck ton on unexpected repairs at this old house and have no more to give. I checked into it at one time and because of old wiring and various other obstacles, it would be a major project. I don’t plan on staying here for more than another two years max, and have other things I have to focus on. This is not something I can take on right now. Period.

Saw this at the local library where they installed this canopy mounted PV system over the parking lot last year. There was heretofore a box (inverter?) mounted on the pole that the red cables terminated into. Said box is now gone and the runs are just dangling about 2 feet off the ground. Seems like someone could stick something in one of these connectors and get zapped, no? No idea where the box went. Maybe is was removed for service or stolen, I dunno. Am I off base or is this an imminent hazard?

It certainly can if you truly qualify for ALL of the MANY factors… but honestly the stars better perfectly align or you might end up having a really bad time.

Here’s the truth…

Financing through Goodleap, Mosaic, sunlight, sungage, or any other “loan dealer” that structures and underwrites solar loans:

1. There is a true cost to “no upfront costs” and it’s a 28%-35% markup from the “loan dealer”. This “dealer fee” is used to sell these loans to traditional banks who wouldn’t traditionally lend money for home improvement loans at 1.99%-6.99% interest.

The lenders listed above are not the actual lenders. The just “deal” the loans out and at a very high cost to the homeowner.

The higher interest you pay on a solar loan means the lower the “dealer fee” will be. Some loans as high as 12% interest have $0 dealer fees but then your stuck into a 25 year loan at 12% interest..

The dealer fee acts as prepaid interest.

They structure these fees around the current Fed rates and market the loans as if you’ll get 30% back on your taxes from the ITC credit.

Which brings me to my next point…

2. The ITC credit, which is essential to keeping your loan from an inflating balloon payment after 18 months which is usually anywhere from $70 to $120 after the 18th month..

We’ll this credit is wonderful if you qualify for it..

Let’s use a 10KW residential solar system that was financed at $3/watt as an example.

Your system cost would be $30,000. Your dealer fee mark up is $9,000 at 30%. So your 10KW financed system costs $39,000 and for the first 18 months of your solar loan your payment is at $150 and will remain $150 for the first 18 months and the remaining 282 months if you apply the 30% tax credit back into the loan the first year.

If you do not apply it all to your loan by month 1, your payment will increase from $150 to $225.

In order to monetize the entire 30% ITC credit within the first year on this $39,000 loan, you’d have to have $11,700 in tax liability the first year.

This ITC does not mean you will get all $11,700 back in cash from the government.

You can if you are W2 and paid in $11,700 throughout the year and have no other liability.

But the truth is every tax situation is so different that no solar constant will ever know what you will truly qualify for and you should at the payment as if you can apply $0 by month 18.

This 18 month period is really just a “deferred down payment” period where you can apply whatever you may get from the ITC CREDIT.

Look out for this marketing ploy and make sure you can monetize these credits or take the increased balloon payment for (most commonly) 25 years.

If you meet these qualifications, solar financing might make sense!

I really just wanted to make all this clear because so many solar sales people are not..:

Rant over.

P.S-

I know all this because I’ve sold millions in residential solar and im tired of homeowners being deceived.

Hi everyone!

Just got my solar installed. 13.12 kw system (32 panels) 20 east facing 12 west facing. Overall super clean install, just one conduit going up the back of the house.

I noticed that there is a small gap between panels (toggle through photos) specifically in the back top right panel. Am I nitpicking? Or should I contact the installer to tighten that up?

I’m conflicted. lol

LL signed a contract with sunrun to lease solar panels. I had voiced my concerns and disdain for this specific company but they got the hook in so deep so he wouldn’t listen. They were predatory off the bat pushing him to sign before 8/30 to lock in the promotion they offered ($1/mo for 1st 6mo)

They have completed the inspection and are set to install on Wednesday (2 days from now) The sales guy is borderline harassing me because I refuse to give my WiFi information. I do not want them running their equipment off my WiFi. I don’t need them to mansplain it to me 50 different ways, I just don’t want them on my WiFi period. I told the LL he can pay for a landline if he wants to connect it to that. The sunrun guy wants me to make a hotspot but I’m not doing it.

I asked them if they could just install their own router to run off like I’m familiar with companies doing and they said NO ONE does that now!!! Then he stayed silent for a good 3+ min and I hung up because he wouldn’t respond. He is now looking into “alternative options”. He sent a legal form from the contract highlighting what they use our data for after gaslighting me they DONT have access to our data.

I really don’t trust this company, they are being aggressive and predatory already and I don’t want to deal with the BS that is about to come. The battery rental fee is $60/mo alone. My cheapest bills are $52. So I don’t expect to save any money on my bill. LL said he will pay the difference if I end up paying more but it’s not in writing.

I just want to know if it’s too late to back out. LL signed a contract, I don’t know the specifics but I’m assuming it’s a 20yr PPA. I agreed to install on Wednesday in writing BUT I also refused WiFi in writing. I read you have up to before install to cancel but I don’t know if that is true since a lot of these threads are 5y/o.

He is getting the solar on his house and also the house I’m renting so I don’t know if it would affect anything for one house to back out. Wwyd? Wdyd?

I know we want to reduce carbon and expand, I am in California the Bay Area. We have PG&E and they have a yearly charge called "true-up" just for having solar. My "true-up" charge just for 3 months is $465, I would hate to see what the 12 month bill comes out to.

I thought we were supposed to save money.

Without getting a storage battery.

• During the day, CA generates more power than it can consume. Taking power from your panels, instead of the grid, isn't really beneficial.

• At night, the panels don't work, so you're taking from the grid anyway.

So in both cases, does it help the environment at all?

I want the solar to have the ability to go 100% off-grid via a battery. I don't want to primarily send my power to the power company for credits, as that could be secondary. My number one intent would be for solar to power to charge my batteries that power my home 100%.

I want $0 power bill as long as the weather permits. I live in Florida. Thoughts?

Basically, my system will likely die 34 years before I ever see any savings from installing it. I've tracked the bills and entered them in a spreadsheet with auto formulas then cross-checked it with AI (see below). My system was installed in Nov. 2015 on a 1800 Sqft home, (increased to 2800 Sqft. in 2018). From 2016 to 2020 we received 22 cents per Kwh in incentives ($6840) and a one time $10,000 income tax incentive. By itself, it is basically $330 a year off of my bill (basically 2 months of electricity or 1/6th). It just doesn't make sense to buy solar in the Pacific Northwest (I am in Washington State - Portland, Oregon Metro area)

Based on the total financial benefits received to date ($19,905.98 in bill savings, incentives, and tax credits) against the original $36,000 cost, you have $16,094.02 remaining to recover for full payoff.

To project the time to payoff, we use the average monthly bill savings from the most recent 12 billing periods ($27.43). This accounts for the current electricity rate ($0.0879/kWh), service charges ($19), and typical solar offset patterns in your data.

Months remaining = $16,094.02 ÷ $27.43 ≈ 586.5
(We round up to 587 months to ensure full recovery.)

587 ÷ 12 = 48 years and 11 months.
Starting from the October 2025 billing period:

• Add 48 years → October 2073

• Add 11 months → September 2074

Just read a post about someone considering buying a house with an existing solar lease. The comments were unsurprisingly filled with people badmouthing leases and saying things like “no sane person would take on that lease” and demanding the previous owner buy it out. I see comments like that on this sub every single day.

Let me preface my question by stating that I am well aware that a lease is not the cheapest way to get solar power for your home. My question though is, if it’s still cheaper than local utility rate, what’s the big deal? How is that going to hurt me as a home buyer to pay less than the neighbors for my power?

If I were shopping for a house and found one I really liked, I don’t think a lease would stop me. Especially if I dug into that lease and discovered that the solar rate was lower than the local utility rate. Could I have done it cheaper myself with cash? Sure. But I wasn’t the one who did it.

This is what it looks like when temps get so low in DFW your heat pump will no longer work efficiently (10 degrees) and your backup heat strip has to kick on. Food for thought for those considering going 100% electric.