Comments on: STORE GOES SOLAR, BATTERIES INCLUDED

By: Mickey Anonymouse

Mickey Anonymouse — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:56:10 +0000

Hobbymasters is awesome. They're one of a kind, and one of the few compelling reasons to visit Red Bank.

By: in_rb_for the long haul

in_rb_for the long haul — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:00:13 +0000

Alan and Hobbymasters--> Congratulations on taking this step. You may discover that you're ahead of the curve. ANd, to make it totally cool, you should see if you can set up a demo solar-powered train set upstairs.

I for one, appreciate you thinking into the future. If nothing else, this will serve as a model to follow or perhaps learn from in the next decade...

By: Ken Ameika

Ken Ameika — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:59:41 +0000

Padrone, you're correct. However, the financial analysis of the Hobby Master ownership should account for the possibility of the cessation of these annual "energy credits."

For any individual or entity to presume thirty years' worth of $20k annual "Green credit" in a financially strapped state is a bit naive.

In short, the assumption of a "five year ROI" is likely optimistic.

I am sure an businessman running a successful store in RB will understand this.

By: Padrone

Padrone — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:47:12 +0000

Ken: I'll keep my hat on, thanks. How do you get "no direct, financial gain" when they're getting a $180,000 roof for $30K? They're willing to "make the investment" with our money. Hats off to us!

By: Ken Ameika

Ken Ameika — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:58:04 +0000

That is the sad fact: Without state incentives, solar energy is a bad investment, using current technology.

Cap't Picard is absolutely correct.

In real terms, a "dumbed down ROI analysis" (ignoring state incentives, depreciation, time-value of money, future costs of electric power, etc), the period to realize a return on investment for this installation is 30 years.

Life expectancy of the solar array is.. .30 years. Wheeee!

Solar has a VERY LONG WAY to go before this is economical.

Look, I plan to expand the solar capacity on my home. But it ain't for the sake of money. One would be better rewarded putting the money into an interest-bearing account and carrying on "business as usual."

Hats off to Hobby Masters for making the investment. ..An extremely cool store with a cool philosophy.

On balance, it shows they're interested in the "Greater good" rather than a direct, financial gain. 28KW is sufficient for 10-14 normal homes' worth of consumption.

By: Chris Z.

Chris Z. — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:13:01 +0000

You tell em Brian. But I have to say I am only being bid $475/ kilowatt for my 2009 SRECS.

By: AlanP

AlanP — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:32:29 +0000

Alan from Hobbymasters here. I believe the guys at Sea Bright Solar answered the math question for us. But honestly even if the State falls through on the grant (it's NJ so we don't hold our breath) it's still well worth it to us. We plan on keeping the store here for another 20+ years. The payback rate for the solar panels is rated at today's electricity pricing. In 10 years from now who knows what electric will cost. Look around Red Bank's streets and you'll see lots of houses that have gone solar. It only makes sense for the business district to do so too.

By: Boris

Boris — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:37:15 +0000

1. Solar is a relatively new technology, and as such requires some initial capital investment that can only come from the gov't.

2. Existing energy sources (coal, etc.) are subsidized indirectly because their cost doesn't include the impact on the environment, health, etc. Grants for solar make it a bit more of a level playing field.

By: Captain Picard

Captain Picard — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:14:13 +0000

It sounds like solar power is not very cost effective. If it were not for the government grants, it would take 30 years to pay for itself, and that does not even include interest. Solar power is not the most practical solution to our energy problems.

By: seabright solar.com

seabright solar.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:49:24 +0000

$180,000 with a state grant covering 1/3 of the cost, now $118,800. Green tag credits of up to $20,000 per year = $120,000 in 6 years. Easy math = good savings. And zero in upkeep. Why are you against hobbymasters for doing something that is good for business.