Posted by Bob F on May 23, 2010, 8:15 pm
hebintn wrote:
>>
>>> I mostly lurk here, but this answer prompted a question that perhaps
>>> this group can answer. I'm retired and would love to install solar
>>> panels, but the up front cost are prohibitive. Here in Tennessee
>>> solar is probably the way to go, since it's not windy and geothermal
>>> is expensive in rock. I can't help but feel the people who sell
>>> solar panels are gouging their customers. I would seriously consider
>>> borrowing money to install solar but can't help feeling that I'm
>>> getting taken for a ride.
>>
>> How much (roughly) have you been quoted per watt? so if you wanted a
>> 2kw
>> setup how much was that? When I look for a panel to add to my system
>> I'm
>> trying for $/watt (or less) but many times they can be as high as
>> $/watt.
>>
>> There are sweet deals that you find sometimes but keep in mind that
>> shipping these things is spendy
>>
>> best
>>
>> -zachary
> I haven't gotten to the point of getting a quote. As a retiree I have
> to consider pay back over a shorter term than some young whipper-
> snapper. Currently, my electricity cost about 10 cents/KWH. I
> haven't convinced myself that an outlay of maybe $0,000 to convert
> to solar would be money wisely spent. I suspect our power supplier,
> TVA, given the negative press with coal, coal ash, and surface mining,
> will slowly convert to alternatives, and with it will come higher
> rates. Guess I'll have to deal with it. I need a way to spread the
> cost out over the next 10+ years.
You'd be better off putting your money into insulation and efficiency measures.
Solar thermal for hot water needs has a signicantly quicker payoff also. Unless
you get a real good deal on panels and can do the install yourself, solar
electricity will not pay you back in a reasonable time.
Posted by Josepi on May 23, 2010, 11:01 pm
Exactly! In ten year you woud not likely ever make this pay or break even
depending on many factors.
If you want a hobby and/or like gadgets or electronics or a challenge or
have been cut off the grid...go for it!
hebintn wrote:
You'd be better off putting your money into insulation and efficiency
measures.
Solar thermal for hot water needs has a signicantly quicker payoff also.
Unless
you get a real good deal on panels and can do the install yourself, solar
electricity will not pay you back in a reasonable time.
Posted by Jim Wilkins on May 24, 2010, 11:46 am
> ...
> You'd be better off putting your money into insulation and efficiency
> measures.
> Solar thermal for hot water needs has a signicantly quicker payoff also.
> Unless
> you get a real good deal on panels and can do the install yourself, solar
> electricity will not pay you back in a reasonable time.
My best ROI was from learning to live with a smaller refrigerator,
which almost halved my electric bill. The biggest free savings is from
drying laundry outdoors.
jsw
Posted by hubops on May 24, 2010, 1:49 am
>>>> I mostly lurk here, but this answer prompted a question that perhaps
>>>> this group can answer. I'm retired and would love to install solar
>>>> panels, but the up front cost are prohibitive. Here in Tennessee
>>>> solar is probably the way to go, since it's not windy and geothermal
>>>> is expensive in rock. I can't help but feel the people who sell
>>>> solar panels are gouging their customers. I would seriously consider
>>>> borrowing money to install solar but can't help feeling that I'm
>>>> getting taken for a ride.
>>> How much (roughly) have you been quoted per watt? so if you wanted a
>>> 2kw setup how much was that? When I look for a panel to add to my system
>>> I'm trying for $/watt (or less) but many times they can be as high as
>>> $/watt.
>>> There are sweet deals that you find sometimes but keep in mind that
>>> shipping these things is spendy
>>> best
>>> -zachary
>> I haven't gotten to the point of getting a quote. As a retiree I have
>> to consider pay back over a shorter term than some young whipper-
>> snapper. Currently, my electricity cost about 10 cents/KWH. I
>> haven't convinced myself that an outlay of maybe $0,000 to convert
>> to solar would be money wisely spent. I suspect our power supplier,
>> TVA, given the negative press with coal, coal ash, and surface mining,
>> will slowly convert to alternatives, and with it will come higher
>> rates. Guess I'll have to deal with it. I need a way to spread the
>> cost out over the next 10+ years.
>You'd be better off putting your money into insulation and efficiency measures.
>Solar thermal for hot water needs has a signicantly quicker payoff also. Unless
>you get a real good deal on panels and can do the install yourself, solar
>electricity will not pay you back in a reasonable time.
Is TVA or Government offering any incentive ?
In Ontario, small solar (10 kw) gets 80 cents per kwhr !
... government Green Power incentive.
It's about a 8 - 10 year payback at that rate.
~ 80 thousand dollars basic investment .
So if you're only getting/saving 10 cents ..
John T.
Posted by vaughn on May 24, 2010, 12:43 pm
> So if you're only getting/saving 10 cents ..
In the US, every state and every utility is different. With net metering my
understanding is that they usually install 2 meters and you usually sell power
back to the grid at some sort of wholesale rate yet buy power at the usual
retail rate. So you may "save" 10 cents on power you produce and use directly,
but the utility will only pay you perhaps 6 cents for your excess power.
Correct me if I am wrong here...
Vaughn
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>>> I mostly lurk here, but this answer prompted a question that perhaps
>>> this group can answer. I'm retired and would love to install solar
>>> panels, but the up front cost are prohibitive. Here in Tennessee
>>> solar is probably the way to go, since it's not windy and geothermal
>>> is expensive in rock. I can't help but feel the people who sell
>>> solar panels are gouging their customers. I would seriously consider
>>> borrowing money to install solar but can't help feeling that I'm
>>> getting taken for a ride.
>>
>> How much (roughly) have you been quoted per watt? so if you wanted a
>> 2kw
>> setup how much was that? When I look for a panel to add to my system
>> I'm
>> trying for $/watt (or less) but many times they can be as high as
>> $/watt.
>>
>> There are sweet deals that you find sometimes but keep in mind that
>> shipping these things is spendy
>>
>> best
>>
>> -zachary
> I haven't gotten to the point of getting a quote. As a retiree I have
> to consider pay back over a shorter term than some young whipper-
> snapper. Currently, my electricity cost about 10 cents/KWH. I
> haven't convinced myself that an outlay of maybe $0,000 to convert
> to solar would be money wisely spent. I suspect our power supplier,
> TVA, given the negative press with coal, coal ash, and surface mining,
> will slowly convert to alternatives, and with it will come higher
> rates. Guess I'll have to deal with it. I need a way to spread the
> cost out over the next 10+ years.