Anyone know anything about solar panels?

[labdogs42]

DH was doing a little research on solar panels online last night and he asked me to consult my all knowing friends online to see if anyone here knew anything! So, does anyone have solar panels or know anything about the feasibility of having solar panels installed to reduce your overall energy consumption? I'd love to hear about it if you do. Maybe there was something about this in the going green thread, but I'm afraid to venture back that way again! And, this is less about going green and more about saving $$!!

 

[Plantlady]

I've looked into solar panels before. Here is a couple paragraphs from the living with ed website:
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Solar Power Your Home

Putting in a complete solar power system in your home like I have can be very expensive. First there are the panels, then the inverter, and then the batteries. It can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $75,000 to put in this type of system. If you are committed to solar power, including charging your electric car from the solar, this is the way to go. However, if you want to move to solar with a smaller investment, I suggest NET METERING. Net Metering is a solar system that pushes the electricity directly into your electric company’s meter, rather than storing it into a battery array. The meter will spin BACKWARDS during the day when you are making more power than you are using. You will only pay for the NET electricity used. The installation will be less expensive because you do not need the battery array.

An even LESS expensive alternative is CITIZENRE (www.jointhesolutionwithed.com)Citizenre works just like your cable company – they will come to your home and install the solar equipment FOR FREE – that’s right – FOR FREE. Then, they will charge you for the solar energy you use at your existing power company rates. AND, they will lock your rate in for up to 25 years! This is a fantastic way to go solar literally FOR FREE! Please check it out at www.jointhesolutionwithed.com.

 

[Stein]

Generally speaking, they don't make a ton of financial sense (not ignoring the enviornmental benefits). The payback period is usually greater than 15 years, sometimes much higher depending on how much your state subsidizes them and how much sun you get.

Another option to look at is solar hot water heating. It typically pays back much sooner. For areas with less sun, they work well as they still make hot water during overcast days while photovoltaic drop off drastically when in partial shade.