08/06/2015
Anonymous
Newburyport, MA
Last year we heard about ReVision Energy and learned that their prices for what we want were in our price range. A sales engineer came and we went through several proposals, balancing cost vs. how much electricity we could produce. Our goal was to be under $20,000. We accepted one for about $18,000 and have been very happy ever since. We went live June 2, 2014 and now, after our first full year of solar production, we came out $31 ahead over a 12 month period. :-) That's just great.<br />The staff at ReVision were very helpful all the way along. The install went smoothly, and the office did all the copious and complex paperwork to get us set up and approved. That took longer than we hoped, so ReVision deducted one month from the $18K because we missed May 2014 for turning the system live. They did not have to do that, but they did!<br />The only aspect of the whole process that was not top-notch was explaining how SRECs worked. Once I learned how they worked and how to log the production information, however, it's been fine.
Reviewer reply
08/06/2015
One additional thought: It's now been just over a year since the installation. I've gotten all the tax credits, and several SRECs, and I credit the power I create against the overall cost. From the initial cost of $18,000, I have paid that down to just about $7,000 net to date. I think the system will be paid for in 3 years or so. Then it's cash positive after that! Can't be beat.
Reviewer reply
08/07/2015
I also want to add another comment about buying vs. leasing. We looked at leasing 3+ years ago, and while spending no money is a nice idea, you also really get very little. You get to lock in a fixed rate for the power you make, and pay market rate if you use more than you make. The leasing company gets all the tax breaks and SRECs etc. So although you spend nothing, you get not much. They really rent your roof and make money.<br /><br />If that's the ONLY way you can go, then why not? But look hard at buying outright if you can afford it, or see what kinds of bank loans you can get. It really adds value to your house, so it's a pretty secure loan.