The community solar array beat my personal panel setup in Ohio

I put 14 panels on my roof in Columbus back in 2021, paid about $16k after credits. Meanwhile my neighbor joined a 2-megawatt community solar project and pays 15% less per kilowatt hour than I do. The rooftop system needed inverter repairs twice and my payback keeps stretching out. Has anyone else run the numbers on shared solar versus going it alone?

2 comments

2 Comments

mila_campbell251mo ago

Ugh, that really stinks! I totally get the frustration. You did the whole rooftop thing the "right" way, paid your money, dealt with the upkeep, and then watch your neighbor get a better deal with way less hassle. It sounds like your payback period just keeps moving like a goalpost, which has to be maddening. Honestly, your inverter breaking twice would have me pulling my hair out, that's the kind of hidden cost nobody talks about upfront. I feel for you, man, the shared model really does take away the headache of being your own repair person.

joel_martinez29d ago

Wondering if that payback math actually included the coil replacement or if that was just pure pocket change at the end of the day, @mila_campbell25? Cause that's the kind of bill that would make me question waiting another five years just to break even lol.