←back to thread

Tesla Solar Sales Declined for 4 Qtrs. Then Tesla Stopped Publishing the Numbers

(cleantechnica.com)
171 points elsewhen | 4 comments | 09 Apr 25 12:41 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
boringg ◴[09 Apr 25 13:31 UTC] No.43631867[source]▶
Can I add that outside of the political commentary because thats mainly the only reason this is on hackernews.

There are mounting challenges in climate tech - specifically in residential solar: 1. Residential solar has been under punishing economic headwinds. Tariffs (before this) against imported PV. The market has not been performing. 2. Many of the Public Utilities are making it very difficult for solar to work out financially for home owners - see CPUC in California changing the terms of NEM to the advantage of the Utilities as an example. 3. Energy storage in residential markets has ALWAYS been an insurance product/backup power and not a financially beneficial product. It is tough competition against generators etc 4. Utilities are wisening up and increasing their fees and reducing the benefits of on site power generation. 5. Residential solar has likely already found all the best home owners (ie lowest CAC) so are now pursuing harder to reach.

replies(5): >>43631946 #>>43631969 #>>43632066 #>>43633214 #>>43634253 #
lotsofpulp ◴[09 Apr 25 13:39 UTC] No.43631946[source]▶
The risk reward ratio is way off at most people’s electricity prices. At best, you save yourself a few dollars in electricity costs (unless you’re in super high priced and sunny California).

At worst, you need to deal with a roofing problem.

For backup purposes, a generator and some fuel seems to be a lot more bang for the buck.

replies(4): >>43632111 #>>43632381 #>>43633050 #>>43633860 #
1970-01-01 ◴[09 Apr 25 13:52 UTC] No.43632111[source]▶
Very long term however it generally isn't a better deal. 15 years with solar is generally no maintenance with linear gains beginning about halfway through. Compared to 15 with a combustion engine that loses value the day it's installed, needs permanent maintenance to operate efficiently and effectively, and only generates value (ha) during disruptions.
replies(1): >>43633466 #
1. boringg ◴[09 Apr 25 15:49 UTC] No.43633466[source]▶
Solar actually runs into inverter problems by year 10. Roof needs to be redone maybe year 20 if you installed with a new roof.

The back up generator is really compared against the energy storage asset and not the solar array. On a multi-day/weeklong winter grid failure generator is a much safer asset to have to protect the home - even including your loss equation.

replies(1): >>43634087 #
2. 1970-01-01 ◴[09 Apr 25 16:37 UTC] No.43634087[source]▶
Inverters are built to last for the life of the solar system. They typically have 10-15 year warranty. And no reputable solar installer is going to put panels on a roof that is due for replacement. By the time a roof needs to be replaced, the panels have already paid for themselves and can be swapped out for newer, cheaper, and more efficient models. That's Swanson's law.
replies(1): >>43638021 #
3. boringg ◴[09 Apr 25 21:09 UTC] No.43638021[source]▶
I can speak from first hand experience that the comment about inverters is inaccurate. You may need to replace them they are the weakest link in the balance of system.

2nd - much nicer to not have to waste a paid off asset at year 20.

replies(1): >>43643832 #
4. 1970-01-01 ◴[10 Apr 25 13:57 UTC] No.43643832{3}[source]▶
I can also speak to this. Mine have been trouble free since 2015.