Comments on: True Cost of Solar Power

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:23:28 +0000

Your numbers are WAY off. There is nowhere in the US as of Nov 2010 that a $10,000 PV system will produce $200 of power a month. Here in the Southwest (lots of sun), our 2.94kW system ($16K, before rebates, etc) will produce $70 of power in a good summer month and $25 of power in the winter.

I estimate a system that will produce $2400 of power per year (Phoenix, AZ) will have to be 15kW and would cost $68K AFTER rebates and incentives. The high cost is due in part to utility incentives for residential installs limited to 5kW.

Your simple payback period is now 28 years, not 4. A smaller system will tend to have a better payback period based on the way most solar credits and incentives are designed right now.

By: John

John — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:20:38 +0000

Your $200 a month electric bill would imply 2500 kWh per month consumption. Does your $18k "retail" cost provide 2500 kWh per month of regulated 240 VAC, 60Hz with low distortion operating reactive loads? Does your "retail" cost include free replacement or repair for lightning, hail, wind and fire damage?

By: Turn Your Meter Backwards | Solar Panels - Green Power

Turn Your Meter Backwards | Solar Panels - Green Power — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:25:28 +0000

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By: StephHicks

StephHicks — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:22:51 +0000

Yes, there is. From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: home values rise an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. (read more at this CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING.....03/04/so...

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:08:27 +0000

Is there a study to back up the increase in home value argument?

By: Solar Power Incentives in Washington | Solar Power - PV Panels

Solar Power Incentives in Washington | Solar Power - PV Panels — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:52:34 +0000

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By: Solar Energy Farming | Solar Panels - Green Power

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By: Solar Panels 50% More Affordable | Solar Power - PV Panels

Solar Panels 50% More Affordable | Solar Power - PV Panels — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:38:53 +0000

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