[ausev] Solar panels

[Chris Frandsen]

Hi John:
I put a 3Kw system on my parents house last April when we greened it  
before selling(it hasn't;-(
Austin rebate is great and now with the 30% federal tax credit the  
actually cost is only about $2100.00.
It is suggested that you clean them twice a year to keep the  
efficiency up. Yes, you need to get on the roof. It is not a difficult  
job if the  roof pitch is not too bad.
If it is steep I suggest hiring a window washer. The install company  
did not offer a maintenance contract but most items are warranties for  
25 years. And they are required to service these items as part of the  
certification with Austin Energy!

The Austin rebate program is one of the best in the country and beats  
the heck out of Perdenales which doesn't offer any rebate. But in 5  
years we have only done 800 roof tops in Austin.

Good Luck!
Chris F


On Mar 2, 2009, at 10:10 PM, John Allen wrote:

> Brian or any other group member with solar panels,
>   The recent stimulus package is making solar panels even more  
> affordable
> which my wife and I are thinking about.  I had some questions about
> maintenance.   Do you clean your panels?  And how often?  Do you get  
> up on
> the roof?  Does the installation company have a maintenance contract
> available?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
> _______________________________________________
> AusEV mailing list
> AusEV at austinev.org
> http://www.austinev.org/mailman/listinfo/ausev