I have dabbled with PC solar for 16 years now. I will never break even.
PV panels lose a few percent of their efficiency after a year or so but not much ever after that. They stabilise but the industry doesn't have any actual stats due to PV panels not being around long enough. The PV panels will likely last forever However the rest of the equipment, inverters have an expected life expectancy of 15 years if they are good quality, batteries 6-15 years depending on quality, how hard you discharge them and maintain them. If you have a good sunny area you may do well.
The Powerwall is the most expensive battery I have ever seen per kWh of storage. A simple FLA (flooded lead acid) battery costs about 1/10 of the cost but is a lot more hassle, we are told. Originally the Powerwall battery would not handle the average home peaks, like starting a motor while other loads are running. IIRC Tesla improved their figures a year or so after release. I assume you have a plug in vehicle that works with the unit directly, making it more worthwhile and efficient.
Good luck with your investment. It will be interesting to see your satisfaction after a few years. My $30K investment has produced almost $600 worth of grid backfeed over the last ten years (another aprox. same amount comes off my consumption bill and is not apparent) and I only had one inverter fire over 15 years.. Luckily insurance picked up the $16K to replace it with a much higher tech unit.
PV panels lose a few percent of their efficiency after a year or so but not much ever after that. They stabilise but the industry doesn't have any actual stats due to PV panels not being around long enough. The PV panels will likely last forever However the rest of the equipment, inverters have an expected life expectancy of 15 years if they are good quality, batteries 6-15 years depending on quality, how hard you discharge them and maintain them. If you have a good sunny area you may do well.
The Powerwall is the most expensive battery I have ever seen per kWh of storage. A simple FLA (flooded lead acid) battery costs about 1/10 of the cost but is a lot more hassle, we are told. Originally the Powerwall battery would not handle the average home peaks, like starting a motor while other loads are running. IIRC Tesla improved their figures a year or so after release. I assume you have a plug in vehicle that works with the unit directly, making it more worthwhile and efficient.
Good luck with your investment. It will be interesting to see your satisfaction after a few years. My $30K investment has produced almost $600 worth of grid backfeed over the last ten years (another aprox. same amount comes off my consumption bill and is not apparent) and I only had one inverter fire over 15 years.. Luckily insurance picked up the $16K to replace it with a much higher tech unit.
