By Rod Davis, CEO, BBB serving southeast Florida and the Caribbean

Last October I shared an article about the process for installing solar power (outclique.com/going-solar) and I have had quite a few people ask me how it is working for me (e.g., does it really work?). My installation was completed at the end of February, and I have had two full months to see the results. 

So, what did I learn? I learned that following the process outlined in my prior article will help you get solid results. Don’t cut corners, do your research, get several proposals, and always use a trustworthy business. All things being equal, use seflorida.app.bbb.org/connect to get three quotes. 

I did encounter one expense that I had not expected. Utility companies in Florida require that homeowners obtain an umbrella policy before they approve the connection of the solar power system to the grid. The utility companies’ rationale is that it must protect itself from liability should a customer-owned system cause injury or worse. For most homes, the requirement is a 1-million-dollar policy which customers with solid financial footing price out at $600 to $800. Your utility provider can share specific guidance once you have determined the size of your solar unit. 

We also experienced a slight delay to the deployment of the system because the permitting requires the utility company, the permitting office, and the contractor to work together. Whenever there are more parties involved, there can be delays so work with your contractor to stay on top of the process. You may need to call the utility company directly. There is also an application fee due to FPL to turn on your new system. FPL will also install a bi-directional meter before you can begin using your new system. 

Once the fees are paid, the new meter is in place, and the permitting office approves your new system, the start date is set. I was excited and a bit nervous to see if my system would cover the 90% we had planned for in the design. My system came with an app and also permits access via a web portal online. The system dashboard tracks how much energy is created each day, week, and month.  It also shows how much energy is consumed. My installation included a backup battery for times when the grid is down and the sun is not available to provide the backup power. The Dashboard also provides a status check on the battery. 

The first full month after the system was installed, my FPL bill was $30. There is a minimum fee charged to all homeowners of $25 to help cover infrastructure costs. So, was I happy? Well, yes.  Routinely my energy bill was $350 a month. 

I also found that by checking in on my dashboard, I could figure out if I was wasting energy and make adjustments (e.g. running the pool pump less, dropping the temperature on the thermostat by a degree). On average, my experience will show a savings of $3,850 per year. Even after deducting the additional insurance, I will save $3,250 per year. 

Each project will vary, so it is essential to work with quality contractors who will give you accurate estimates and install top-level systems. There will also be some maintenance costs over time so based on my experience, if my system operates effectively for 12 years, and taking into account the tax credit I received, I should break even at that point. The benefit of clean energy was a significant incentive for me, but I also did not want to spend significantly more than I was already on energy. Again, my experience is based on the variable factors for my home, system, and energy use. Each person’s results will be different, but I hope by sharing what I have learned, it will help other consumers make smart decisions about whether they too should go solar.