[chrisBob]

My solar install is scheduled for December. Even if it ends up missing the cutoff for a tax break I still think it’s the right thing to do. The combination of investing in green energy and locking in my effective electric rate is the smart move right now.

… and I heard on Friday that OpenAI is planning a data center 15 miles south of me. That can only make things worse.

[nonethewiser]

Whats the time to make your money back with and without the tax break?

[SteveGerencser]

We cancelled our install after TN removed the state level breaks. It pushed the payback out past the expected lifespan of the panels (25 years). I would have been fine with a 10 year payback, but 25+ was just not worth doing.

[dmoy]

I think GP's point isn't necessary "with vs without tax break", it's "with vs without giant future increase in electricity price"

[casey2]

You'd probably be cutting it close with the life of the panel (though maybe electricity price increase will save you) For CO2 I think it pays itself off fairly quick. It's probably the best investment you could make from a CO2 and local air quality perspective, maybe if your insulation is very bad or switching to a bike from a large personal car

[edm0nd]

you'll basically never make it back iirc

by the time you may even get close to paying it off, its time for a new one.

really only worth if you just want to have solar and got a spare 5-6 figures to drop on it and wont miss that money.

hopefully this changes in the near future and it will be way more affordable.