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Solar panel puzzle

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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I keep reading and hearing about people installing solar panels on their houses (and company roofs) "to save money". Here in New England, many public schools and factories are putting the panels up.

But I never read what they actually paid for the panels.

Has anyone found reference to whether people are actually saving any money by installing panels they paid for? I know some folks are installing the panels to reduce other energy source use, but marketing keeps pushing "money saving". I costed out a 5kW system, and it was over $30,000. Even by selling the generation to the local electric company at 10 cents/kwh, that would take me about 30 years to "save" anything - and that's only if we got full sunshine 24 hours a day (not likely ...).

Seems that unless you get the panels at a substantial - like 50% or more - discount from market price, it'll take a *long* time to save in electric bills what you paid up front for the panels.

What am I missing?

Thanks.
Tom
 
IMO you are missing nothing. I even thought about trying to do a "homemade" system. It still does not make economic sense to me.
 
My brother put them in years ago and has already paid for his system.He's in Ca and every year they owe him money

Helps to be in a sunny area for faster pay back
 
"take me about 30 years to "save" "

I doubt any have a 30 year lifespan either.
 
My brother had the utility company install photo-voltaic panels last year. With his current bills vs his previous bills, he will get payback in about 6 years. The panels are guaranteed for a pretty long time period (I can't recall, but I think it's about 20 years).
There's a variety of different financing options including full, up-front payment vs "free" (but then less benefit in terms of selling current back onto the grid).

He and his wife did a good deal of research and in their house (2 young kids and 2 adults in 4000 sq ft in central NJ). I'm very sure he wouldn't do it if it didn't make economic sense. His December electric bill was $6.00.

For what it's worth, I've lived in a direct-gain, passive solar house I built over 30 years ago (it's now our summer place). Passive solar is very simple and effective. By my estimates, it's been providing at least 35% of its own heat or more (compared to a conventional house) for all those years.
 
"My brother had the utility company install photo-voltaic panels last year. With his current bills vs his previous bills, he will get payback in about 6 years. "

That is really interesting. Is there any way you could share what he paid for the panels and installation, and its kwh output? A six year payback seems almost impossible.

Thanks.
Tom
 
Sure.

You have to go -Here- and provide specs for your house and then have a field inspection. Not all houses are eligible....only those that make economic sense to the customer and the utility.

As far as I can tell, all quotes are custom so everyone's numbers may differ. His neighbor across the street did this first and is happy but told us the payback isn't as quick. I'm not sure why, but I'd guess it's solar orientation. Both houses are pretty similar.
 
THIS is an interesting concept by google....
 
Goverment grant to kick in some $$$ too.

Most "cost effective" if you build way out in the woods and the power company wants a lot to hook you up. If you just have a grid tie w/ no batteries payback is sooner and larger.
 
Thanks. Went to the site, but it looks like they only quote for California and New Jersey.

I did this a couple times in Connecticut; contacted a solar company, had site inspection, etc. Both times, I got a quote for a lease, with a balloon payment at the end for "purchase or disposal of installed hardware".

But get this - the balloon payment was unstated. "To be determined at end of lease."

No way would I sign on to that.

Turns out the subsidized purchase grants were all bought up by a few solar companies, who then tried to get people to enter into those lease agreements.

Recently, the "energy credits" which lower the lease costs are actually declining, as natural gas costs are dropping. Thus the pay back periods are actually getting longer and longer. Several families have been interviewed on TV recently, all saying they were now doubtful they'd ever get their money back.

Onward through the fog.
Tom
 
Get an old VW and a AK and you'll have all the power you'll ever need. :laugh:


Comes in handy for coronal mass ejection too. :thumbsup: :jester:
 
One of the reasons payback is shorter than 30 years is the government rebates. It reduces the installation cost. It actually made economic sense before government rebates, but the prices went up once the rebates went into effect.

I have panels on my RV to avoid running a long extension cord. Fortunately, the RV doesn't take too much power. One lesson though, don't park or put them on your house if you're near a golf course. :cry:
 
We need more people buying and using them.
This will drive technology and that will bring the price down.
The technology is the key, getting more KW/buck
 
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