Posted on 09/01/2022 8:13:36 AM PDT by Jacquerie
Homeowners adding solar panels study energy savings and break-even costs, but they should also call their insurer: Some increase premiums and some cancel policies.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As electric bills surge and the federal government offers generous tax incentives for renewable energy investments, more and more Florida homeowners are seriously considering rooftop solar systems.
But in calculating system costs vs. electric bill savings, many would-be solar owners are neglecting to consider how a solar system will affect their home insurance bill – or how difficult it might be to find a company that will insure them at all.
And with insurance premiums skyrocketing for all Florida homeowners, solar customers who can obtain coverage might also find that the price increase will wipe out any energy-cost savings they expected from going solar.
“It’s a big deal and a lot of folks don’t realize that many carriers don’t accept solar panels,” says Dulce Suarez-Resnick, vice president at the Miami-based agency Acentria Insurance.
Oakland Park homeowner Holy Strawbridge learned this the hard way. She installed a modest 8,000 kilowatt system atop her home about two years ago and recently signed up for coverage with Edison Insurance Company. After the insurer sent an inspector to her home, she received a letter canceling her entire policy.
“I was shocked,” Strawbridge said. “I’ve never filed an insurance claim and I’ve lived in this house since 2001.”
The reasons cited in the cancellation letter sent by Edison: Her solar panels are ineligible for coverage due to the age of her roof (11 years) and because she has a tile roof.
Those aren’t the only reasons insurers won’t cover rooftop solar systems. Insurers who do business in Florida offer a wide variety of reasons for refusing to insure homes with them.
(Excerpt) Read more at floridarealtors.org ...
“This says hurricane coverage is in a standard policy, but then says you may have to have a SEPARATE policy for wind.”
No, it says “hurricane coverage”.
If you live in Florida and have a mortgage you are forced to have this coverage unless you have a letter from the mortgage company releasing you.
But just prior to the statement they clearly state “There’s technically no single policy known as “hurricane insurance.”
That is because it is not a separate policy.
ONE POLICY
ONE COMPANY
ONE CHECK
DC. Degrades over distance quickly. That’s why I ask. I work on many DC systems and distance is a killer. 10-20%. Wanted to know if anyone was an expert.
That's why I said your idea of running A/C for that long distance was a good idea. Not DC.
Some photos of fires.
https://www.acsolarwarehouse.com/news/solar-fires-dc-arc-faults-on-solar-systems/
Lol. You have no idea what I pay in taxes. For once I’m not getting royally screwed by our corrupt, tyrannical “leaders.” That’s why they are trying to enact extra taxes on solar, proving it isn’t about protecting mother earth. But it’s fun letting my AC blasting with my doors open here in Florida. And my original post was to inform fellow FReepers. Did I mention I didn’t pay one dime out of pocket?
Yikes! Another reason to avoid roof-mounted panels.
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