Photovoltaic systems for rental properties

[Mike Fisher]

Hi guys,

I am considering installing a 3.5 kW grid-tie photovoltaic system with micro-inverters on each SFH rental property that I buy here in the DFW area. The initial investment for the system will be around $12k. My all in when buying homes is around $100k including the solar system.

Property guidelines:

Between 1300 - 2000 sqft

Pitched roof with substantial south facing surface area with minimal shade

Single story 

All electric

Now, outside of, reducing my carbon foot print,  local and federal tax credits do you see this as being a smart marketing tool to obtain and/or retain tenants? I see that offering the property with electricity paid may help increase my tenant pool, but with the risk of getting a tenant that would "over use" the power significantly beyond the power that is supplied by the system. Otherwise, I could offer the property stating the benefits of the system and have them pay their own electric bill.

Thoughts? 

[Joe Cummings]

Those things really don't perform all that well. They are just warm fuzzies for the tree-hugger set. Although, there are a lot of tax breaks and incentives. A grid-tie system is pretty much a hands off low maintence kinda thing.

It all comes down to number crunching. I know guys who could care less about anything being "green" but the numbers worked, and they have acres of solar cells.