Our First Year with Solar – Was It Worth It?

Our First Year with Solar – Was It Worth It? 

After one full year of living with solar, we can confidently say this: it completely changed how we think about energy, costs, and even our lifestyle. But was it worth the investment? Here’s our real experience, real numbers, and honest take.

The Installation Process (Patience Required)

We placed our solar order on April 8, 2025 with SolUp a local company in Las Vegas, and the actual solar installation didn’t happen until the end of May. The biggest delay wasn’t the install itself—it was all the approvals.

Between HOA requirements and NV Energy permits, it took over a month to get everything approved. If you’re considering solar, expect this part to take time—it’s completely normal. Once everything was approved, the installation itself went smoothly.

Our Solar Setup

We designed our system around one big advantage—our south-facing backyard, which puts our roof in a prime position for solar production.

Here’s what we started with:

• 15.4 kW system
• 40 Meyer Burger Black 385 panels
• Bird Trim guards for a clean look
• 1 Tesla Powerwall
• 1 Span Smart Panel

Initial Cost:

• $48,409.04 before tax credits
• $14,522.71 tax credit
• Net: $33,886.33

The Upgrade: Adding a Second Powerwall

After going through part of the summer with just one battery, we realized it would be worth the investment to add a second Powerwall.

So, on August 8, 2025, we ordered another one. Like the first time, it took about a month for approvals and installation.

• Cost: $13,130
• Tax Credit: $3,939

Total Investment

• Total System Cost: $61,539.04
• Total Tax Credits: $18,461.71
• Final Cost: $43,077.33

We chose to pay for the system outright—no lease, no financing, no power purchase agreement. As local real estate professionals, we know how difficult it can be to sell a home with leased or financed solar. Buyers have to take over those agreements, and many times the numbers just don’t make sense. For us, since we plan on being in our home long-term, paying upfront was the right move.

The Financial Breakdown

Before solar, our average annual electric bill was about $4,000. To estimate our break-even point (based only on electricity savings):

$43,077 ÷ $4,000/year ≈ 10–11 years

But here’s the key—our cost is now essentially locked in at $0.11822 per kWh. With electricity rates continuing to rise, that predictability alone made this feel like a smart long-term decision.

Life With Solar + Two Powerwalls

With two Powerwalls, our system has completely changed how we use energy:

• We’re off the grid about 80% of the time, I would say 6 months out of the year we are completely 100% off the grid.
• We only pull from NV Energy when charging our EV, or during the winter months when solar production drops or during the hot summer months when we are using our AC’s all the time.

Everything else is powered by what we generate ourselves.

How the Energy Credits Work

One of the biggest benefits we didn’t fully appreciate at first is how much energy we send back to the grid.

Here’s a real example from Aprils Solar Usage:

• Exported: 1,084.20 kWh
• Imported: 228.5 kWh
• Net Export to the Grid: 855.70 kWh

Value:

855.70 × $0.11822 = $101.16
NV Energy pays 75% credit = $75.87

Here’s an example from May’s Solar Usage:

• Exported: 1,353.10
• Imported 269.80
• Net Export to the Grid: 1,083.30

Value:

1,083.30 x $0.11822 = $128.07

NV Energy pays 75% credit = $96.05

That credit builds over time and helps offset months when we use more electricity. Our only bill is the NV Energy connection fee—around $18–$19.

EV Savings: The Game Changer

We also drive a Rivian R1S, and pairing solar with an EV has taken our savings to another level.

Before:

Gas: $100+ per week

Now:

Charging at home:

• ~90 kWh per charge
• Cost: about $10.64

That’s roughly:

• $90/week savings
• $360/month savings
• $4,320/year in gas savings

The Real ROI (When You Combine Everything)

At first, we looked at solar strictly from an electricity standpoint:

• $4,000/year in electric savings
• About a 10–11 year payback

But once we factored in our EV savings, everything changed.

Total Annual Savings:

• Electricity: $4,000
• Gas savings: $4,320
• Total: $8,320 per year

Now let’s run the numbers:

$43,077.33 ÷ $8,320 ≈ 5.1 years

That means we’re now looking at about a 5-year payoff, not 10+ years.

Real-World Comparison

To really put it into perspective:

• July 2024 (before solar): $598.73 electric bill
• July 2025 (with solar): $19.51 (connection fee only)

That’s a massive difference.

The Hidden Value: Energy Independence

Beyond the numbers, this is what we value most:

• We’re insulated from rising energy costs
• We have backup power—even during outages at night
• We rely far less on the grid

With everything going on globally and uncertainty around energy, this has given us a level of peace of mind that’s hard to put a price on.

So… Was It Worth It?

For us, absolutely—yes. But here’s our honest advice.

Solar makes sense if:

• You plan to stay in your home long-term
• You can afford to pay for it outright
• Your home has strong sun exposure

Solar may not make sense if:

• You plan to move soon
• You’re considering leasing or financing
• Your roof isn’t ideal for production

Final Thoughts

Solar isn’t just about saving money—it’s about control.

• Control over your energy.
• Control over your costs.
• And control over your future.

Yes, it’s a big upfront investment. But for us, when we look at the total picture—electric savings, gas savings, energy independence, and protection against rising costs—it has become one of the best investments we’ve ever made.

If you’re thinking about going solar and want a real-world perspective, we’re always happy to share our experience.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in the Las Vegas Valley, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’ll get back to you personally and promptly. Thanks for visiting!

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Angela O’Hare
Favorite Las Vegas Realtor
REAL Broker LLC at Urban Nest
Lic. #180246
702-370-5112
[email protected]
www.neighborhoodsinlasvegas.com