Energy Costs

[Neil817]

Hey Airbnb hosts! Anyone thought about sticking solar panels on their rental? I’m looking into ways to save on those crazy energy bills—guests cranking the AC or charging EVs can add up fast! Solar seems kinda awesome, not just for cutting costs but also for pulling in those eco-friendly travelers who dig green vibes.
Heard a 5kW setup could slash your electric bill big time, especially in sunny places. Plus, there’s this federal tax credit that can cover 30% of the cost, which sounds like a sweet deal. And honestly, adding “solar-powered” to your listing might just make it stand out.
Curious if any of you have tried solar or looked into it. How’s it going? Got any advice on picking the right system or dealing with HOAs? I’m just poking around and would love to hear what you think—good, bad, or if guests even notice! Thanks!

[Shelley159]

Hi @Neil817 

I see you're not a host, so not sure if this is an advertisement for solar system installation.

Either way, I'll mention two things hosts should be aware of:

1) As it's an international community there may not be any tax credits in your region 

2) A 5kW inverter and battery system is entry level and may be attractive price-wise. However, with normal use it may not be enough to power heavy equipment like air conditioners as mentioned, and also not heaters, ovens, stoves, dishwashers and laundry machines. One could leave these off the system, or invest in a larger set-up which takes more money and space.

[Michael-O-Reilly0]

Hi Neil,  last year i decided to invest in Solar Panels for my house, our Airbnb listings are within our own home,  so the idea was to invest in the panels as a long term investment.

Firstly i done as much research as possible,  gathering as much information as i could, to visiting homes that already had Solar Panels installed.

I found this was the most productive way to gather information and it also gives you a greater insight into what Solar Panels can generate locally. Happy to report that i had the panels installed in June last year and  i only wished i had them installed sooner.  I am based in Donegal Ireland, where we get our fair share of Rain, but overall my initial investment will be paid back sooner than i could have imagined..The big plus is that the environment is the main winner and in that race we all benefit. There are fantastic Social media groups that provide a wealth of valuable information.  Regarding the battery, the best advice given to me is to make sure your battery size is adequate for your electricity needs. Kind Regards Michael

[Lorna170]

@Neil817  Solar is great -- we have solar installed in 1 house.  However, we could only connect it for the hot water system and heated floors; our local electric company would not allow "going off the grid" or selling power back to them.  

1.  Over what period of time will you recover the installation expense?   (Ours took 20 years)

2.  What kind of system will local utilities permit?  

3.  What are the current utility costs, and what percentage would be changed by solar?