75% to 99%
of electricity
Solar Shopping Made Easy
Start Now!Multiple quotes, qualified installers, buy or lease with no-money-down.
See how it works!Learn More About
It's easier than you think to go solar and reduced your carbon footprint in Michigan!
75% to 99%
of electricity
Property
- Owner:
- Matthew S Smith
- Type:
- Residential
- Address:
- 13760 Riverwood Dr., Sterling Heights, MI 48312
- Size:
- 1,772 sq ft
- Energy need met:
- 75% to 99% of electricity
Technology
- Type:
- Solar PV
- Installed:
- July 2019
- Size of System:
- 6.71 kW
- Monitor performance:
- https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/site/public?name=Avid Alchemist Array#/dashboard
- Purposes:
- To generate electricity
Financial Details
- Gross Cost of System:
- $25,976
- Value of Tax Credits:
- $7,793
- Own or Lease:
- $0-down Lease
- Additional Financial Notes:
- I'll update this as we get more data, but currently we're projecting that our costs for the loan are less than what we're paying for electricity from DTE before the installation and that we'll generate close to 90% of our needs. With some other energy saving related projects, we're hoping to get this closer to 100%.
Professionals & Suppliers
- Products:
- Mission Solar Energy
- Installers:
- Distributed Power
- Financing:
- Dividend Solar
What You Need to Know
Description:
6.71 kWp grid tied system.
Other Benefits:
Cuts carbon emissions, helps the environment, gives a children a shot at a future without extreme climate change and sets a good example for your neighbors, family, friends and neighbors. Also an excellent conversation starter if you need something to talk to your neighbor about.
Maintenance Requirements:
None
Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:
Smart thermostat, LED lighting throughout house
My Motivation:
Mostly to benefit the environment, lower our carbon footprint and also save on our energy bill at the same time. Adding value to the house and further building equity in our property is a much appreciated benefit as well, but with a young child, we're hoping to both set a good example and also help mitigate the potential climate changes that'll no doubt effect our children.
Advice:
Biggest things, shop around and get an installer you're comfortable with and also look into various financing options. A 0% loan was the best option for us. Yes, it's a large loan, but don't let that scare you. With the right installer, it's completely possible to generate most to all your energy needs (depending on the site of course) and actually lower your monthly energy bill (and build equity at the same time).
Experience with Installer:
Distributed Power was excellent to work with. We looked at a couple other installers in Michigan and would've went with any of them honestly, but Distributed Power offered the best bang for our particular needs and did a fantastic job getting the permits necessary, although that did take longer than anticipated, though that was on the local officials and not them.
Additional Notes:
Keep on DTE if you're in their area. They are definitely slow at review paperwork (They have 10 business days to review the paperwork after your local building authority inspects and up to another 15 business days after afterwards to do a site visit to authorize your connection to the grid). If needed definitely call the Michigan Public Service Commission if needed, as calling the MPSC will help kick things into high gear.
View Other Case Studies
Search for Other Case StudiesThe EnergySage Marketplace
