Solar is expensive and not that reliable.
It’s not that expensive (becoming much less at current prices)and is plenty reliable for what you need. You will have a back up to the grid just like you have now.
There should be a simple way to figure out ROI and payback duration. Knowledge is power, just to coin a phrase. (see what I did there?)
Also, when calculating ROI, mitigation of atmospheric CO2 should be part of the formula somehow, IMHO.
We were discussing on another thread. It’s probably a little less than 10 years at current prices. That’s not bringing in any carbon impacts. Not sure that should be included though given you can get 100% renewable off the grid now for not much of a premium (basically nothing).
10 years is still too steep for me in TX (you’d be crazy not to do it where I am now if you have the means) but not miles away. That said, I’d guess you could lease solar on your house for less than you’re paying right now. I’d never recommend that (good luck selling your house) but it shows that solar isn’t expensive. Just requires an upfront investment that is steep.
5 years is the magic ROI number IMHO. Get it down to that and the industry will boom.
I’d do it but I doubt I’ll be in this house for another 10.
Agree, it’s been at 5ish years in Bakersfield for years. It’s now better than that. Solar is everywhere here.
I live in the land of almost perpetual sunshine yet solar panels are not heavily in use.
The reason is cost. As others correctly say the break-even point takes too many years.
However Municipalities have gone Solar. Tucson Light and Power is closing in on having 30% of its electricity generated by Solar. And could go beyond that level.
Phoenix gets a great deal of its power via a Nuclear Plant west of town.
A small portion of power is imported from NewMexico wind farms.
A wide variety of methods.
They give more incentives there right? Also, wonder if installation costs are lowere because more companies do it.
Panels have come way down and will continue but install costs probably haven’t moved much around here.
No state incentives that I know of. The tax credit is federal. The reason for the quicker payback is energy is ridiculously expensive in CA. I paid an average of over 35 cents/kWh last month.
Installation may be a little cheaper due to experience and supply but stuff is more expensive here so probably washes.
Thats nuts, 3x what it is in texas
I beg to differ on reliability - solar is extremely reliable and yes, very expensive. My payout is at 15 years and at that point I’ll need to replace batteries at a cost of 12k in today’s dollars. Upside is there are no light bills and no brown outs.
Our first 800 kWh costs $.1077 per.
Above that the cost is $.1177 per.
Arizona also gets a little hydro power from Hoover Dam.
Not anymore. More like 2 times.
Yeah, I just signed a contact at just under $.16.
Texas the lowest now is about 18c, my current contract it’s 12
The $.16 contract is in Spring.
12 month?
No, 36 with $99 termination.
Yeah I’ve seen that one too.