Solar panels, combining comed account

[Kathy Austin]

HI!  We own a six unit building in Chicago IL and we are looking into consolidating all to just one electrical account, and installing solar panels.  We would like to meter electrical use for each unit and for the building and remain on grid with Comed with one account.  I'm not sure this is possible.  I have many questions maybe someone could help me with.  

First is it likely that a flat roof on a six unit building that also has two double garages, be large and strong enough to hold the solar panels?

Secondly I'm sure there would be electrical work involved to move from 7 comed account to one, (and also for some units to use electrical service in garage for electric cars).  How costly and realistic is this?

Third, we are researching purchasing the solar panels independently of the installer/electrician(s).  Do anyone do this type of work?

Forth, in regards to incentives:

A There is a federal incentive that will credit back about 26% of the cost of panels and installation in 2020. Credit is not refundable. If we installed the panels and a building, our condo does not have tax liability.  As such, does anyone have experience denovo-ing this credit back to the unit owners?

B.  Does anyone know about RECS in Illinois and if it would apply here?

C.  Net metering with comed posses a problem because they use the average of 12 month's electrical service for the basis of the amount of electricity they will buy.  This is an issue because I want to combine all electricity into the building account, the smallest amount used but makes the most sense.  Does anyone have experience negotiating with comed on net metering?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Kathy.

[George Skidis]

Can you spell NIGHTMARE? Combining all six electric services into one account makes you responsible for every tenant's electric bill. If any resident does not pay, you have no authority to turn the power off since you are NOT a utility company. What if none of them pay you.

Have you considered the cost of having an attorney draft a new lease that allows you to charge for utilities? Will your residents agree to sign it? Will Chicago even allow it?

During an eviction you will not get paid either the rent or the electric. How much can that cost you? Chicago is after all very tenant friendly.

Since it is located in Chicago / Cook county, what new liabilities do you open yourself up to? Can the resident sue you for inadequate electrical supply for their illegal cannabis garden?

Once combined you take on submetering and a lot of other issues you really should have no desire to mess with. Who will you pay to make sure this is correct EVERY MONTH? If the tenant disputes the charge, is it a legal issue or does it go to arbitration? Who chooses the venue or the panel of arbitrators? Do the jury or panel think of you as just another slumlord?

Since you are not a utility, you are probably prohibited from making a profit on the sale of electrical / solar energy. Forget any plans you had on making money off of this.

Solar Power and thinking green is a great idea. However, the probability of your project causing you more work and trouble than it is worth should loom large in your considerations.

Alternative idea: Would it be possible to add the solar panels and hook them to a meter that feeds the "common areas" of your complex. Or even hook them up and just sell the energy back to Com Ed.

Anything that involves residents can and will come back to bite you in the nether regions at some point.

Good Luck and Good Investing!