I did some extensive research the past few days and I have come up with a 3.0 kilo Watt solution that utilizes 13 solar panels, an inverter, and some various wiring and mounting hardware for $13,900. Here in my part of Colorado, I can get $3,000 from my local electric utility company and I can get 30% or $4,200 tax break from the federal government. So, my final cost for a basic package is $6,700. I can get a computerized tracking system for the solar panels that increases output by 51% for less than $1,500. Well worth adding. So, $8,200 for the DIY types. I am jazzed about this. A great deal of the energy produced will be wheeled back onto the utility line while no one is home during the daytime hours. It will likely offset the night time usage. My average electric bill is $115/month ($1,380/year) So, if my daytime generation were to offset the night time usage, i.e. break even. Then free electricity in $8,200/$1,380/year = 6 years payoff time. I would have to do a quick study of the daytime and night time power usage of my house to verify the consumption -vs- produced energy ratio to come up with a tight payoff time frame. But, this is fairly realistic where I live in Colorado.
Have a great day!
James
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Solar panel options
I hope to add information and interesting, informative articles here that can keep readers up to date concerning what's available and what's affordable according to a person's budget limitations.
I believe that affordable solar panel solutions for a household is just around the corner. The price for solar panels is forecasted to drop in the next few months to a year. Depending up on how much that drop is, incentives offered by the regional public utility, and incentives offered by state and or federal government, going solar with a household my have a payoff in 5 to 10 years. I based that number on $20,000 solar powered solution with a $2000/year electric utility expense. I did not include income from selling unused green power back to the utility company. That unused, resellable green power that is being wheeled back to utility has a premium value associated with it. Utility companies are being required to provide/produce X% of renewable energy power. As EPA restrictions tighten, the utility companies will be required to increase that percentage of electricity generated by renewable energy sources. I believe utility companies will soon find that many of the rural households of our nation have a valuable resource to offer in renewable energy in the form of solar panels. Some research has shown that an average household requires about 4kW to maintain average peak loading. This equates to about a $20,000 to $25,000 solar panel solution. For some people, that number is obtainable today. For others it is out of reach. I think my local utility company offers $1500 incentive. That doesn't take much off of a $20,000 cost on my part that is directly benefiting the utility company. I'm not sure what incentives or tax breaks are available through the state or federal government but I will determine that when I get a chance and include it here. This is just a quick intro to get the ball rolling. Feel free to contact me with questions about this application if you can't wait for the next blog.
Have a great day!
James
I believe that affordable solar panel solutions for a household is just around the corner. The price for solar panels is forecasted to drop in the next few months to a year. Depending up on how much that drop is, incentives offered by the regional public utility, and incentives offered by state and or federal government, going solar with a household my have a payoff in 5 to 10 years. I based that number on $20,000 solar powered solution with a $2000/year electric utility expense. I did not include income from selling unused green power back to the utility company. That unused, resellable green power that is being wheeled back to utility has a premium value associated with it. Utility companies are being required to provide/produce X% of renewable energy power. As EPA restrictions tighten, the utility companies will be required to increase that percentage of electricity generated by renewable energy sources. I believe utility companies will soon find that many of the rural households of our nation have a valuable resource to offer in renewable energy in the form of solar panels. Some research has shown that an average household requires about 4kW to maintain average peak loading. This equates to about a $20,000 to $25,000 solar panel solution. For some people, that number is obtainable today. For others it is out of reach. I think my local utility company offers $1500 incentive. That doesn't take much off of a $20,000 cost on my part that is directly benefiting the utility company. I'm not sure what incentives or tax breaks are available through the state or federal government but I will determine that when I get a chance and include it here. This is just a quick intro to get the ball rolling. Feel free to contact me with questions about this application if you can't wait for the next blog.
Have a great day!
James
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