Baton Rouge Photographs of Solar Panel Installations by Home Appraiser Published by Bill Cobb, Greater Baton Rouge's Home Appraiser 225-293-1500 http://www.homeappraisalsbatonrouge.com

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Baton Rouge Home Appraiser Photographs Solar Panel
Installations
Bill Cobb
By
Real Estate Appraiser with Accurate Valuations Group, LLC LA St Certified 851
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April 17, 2013 11:13 PM
Baton Rouge Home Appraiser Photographs Solar Panel Installations
In 2013 and as Greater Baton Rouge's Home Appraiser, I'm beginning to see more of these solar panel installations
on the roof, which in my opinion, is not very SMART. See photos below. Installing them on the roof means
thousands of dollars more in expense to remove them and reinstall them during a new roof installation. Plus, these
panels installed on a roof in Greater Baton Rouge are extremely unattractive. Remember that this conversation is
about Baton Rouge, not where these are more accepted in California or the Midwest.
How Much Do They Cost and Do They Any Value At All To A Typical Greater Baton Rouge Home?
Local REALTOR®, Chase Muller says, "Bill. They have had a number of sales people hitting the streets selling these.
They have a $25,000 asking price but half is cut by state refund and another few thousand by feds. So they make a
pitch it is only $5,000 to buyer. But I don't see in added value to it at this point.... Except maybe for tax credit/write off,
that's what they push."
30% Tax Credit Link:
California Appraiser, Roy Meyer, said, " Bill, half the time in so Cal they end up becoming nothing more then an eye
sore."
My opinion: " To me, it seems like there's a negative adjustment for how unattractive it makes a house look, an
eyesore. There'sa home in Shenandoah with panels on 3 sidesand it looks like a space ship. And, these add
thousands of dollars extra when replacing the roof."
IN GREATER BATON ROUGE, INSTALL THESE PANELS IN YOUR BACKYARD, NOT ON YOUR ROOF!

2. Image
Source: http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/diy-portable-solar-power-system-1.jpg
Baton Rouge Solar Panel Installation in Kenilworth Subdivision 70808
THIS LOOKS LIKE A
FREAKING SPACE SHIP IN
SHENANDOAN ESTATES...and
when I showed the photos of this
home to some neighbors several
blocks away, they were totally
upset at how unattractive these
panels were and in their own
subdivision! And, these weren't
installed on a new roof either.
Can you imagine just how much
extra it's going to cost to take
ALL of these solar panels down
and re-install them when it
comes time to replace this roof?
Regarding this Shenandoah home, Birmingham AL Appraiser, Tom Horn, said, "I have seen homes with maybe one
or two panels but nothing to this extent. I would not want to live next door to it."
My Appraiser Uncle said, "Wow, I wonder if they had buyers remorse? Then they installed all of that on an old roof
that probably leaks now!"

3. Washington State Appraiser,
Dave Towne, said, "These are
becoming more common in
many parts of the country. That
home has enough panels to
provide power to the entire
Baton Rouge city! (JK) Actually,
the system could be both
‘electrical’ and ‘hot water’ solar. I
can’t tell from the photos. If only
electrical, it’s probably tied to the
local electric utility and they are
selling excess power back to the
utility, which provides a net
result of zero utility electrical
cost for that dwelling, plus actual
income to the homeowner. This
system could easily cost $50K or
more to install."
This Solar Panel Farm in a
backyard in Central cost
$80,000+ and was installed to
power a large home plus extra
buildings on a residential
property. Even after the 30%
tax credit savings and
assuming a monthly electric
bill of $500/month, it would
take 121 years to recoup the
investment, not including the
maintenance and replacing
dead solar panels over time.

5. Denham Springs Solar Panel Installation in Summer Breeze Subdivision 70726

6. Baker LA Solar Panel Installation in Chaleur Subdivision 70714

7. A recent Facebook discussion of these Baton Rouge solar panels.

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