RV Solar Payoff

 Nine months ago I installed 600 watts of solar panels on the roof of my RV.
I live full-time in the RV and calculated that the panels would pay for
themselves in about three years as compared to operating a small Honda 2000
generator. Now after using solar power for nine months I have concluded that
they have already paid for themselves in less noise and hassle for me
running a generator. 600 watts supplies me with about 150% of my needs so I
get a full charge in my batteries even on a cloudy day.

All good RV's should come with their roofs covered with solar panels!

NM

 

live full-time in the RV and calculated that the

a small Honda 2000 generator. Now after using solar

themselves in less noise and hassle for me running a

charge in my batteries even on a cloudy day.

  I would agree that there is more than monetary payback. Some people just
like the fact that they are reducing pollution. Some like the fact that it is
quiet.
Some people have hobbies that cost much more than solar. But for right now,
the usage is small. Chicken and the egg...when there is enough demand, then
maybe the supply will catch up and the costs will come down. In the case
of roll to roll CIGS, there is an economy of scale that could bring the panel
costs down. We will see.

 SJC wrote:

Demand has been outstripping supply for several years now.  Costs
aren't coming down because the raw materials and fabrication costs are
high.  There is no magic breakthrough on the horizon.

The payoff on solar panels is blessed silence instead of generator
racket.  They don't make much sense from a fiscal standpoint.

 Since I bought my home 10 years ago, I've paid $2000 a year in hydro. If I can
install a PV system for under 20K, it'll be paid back in under 10 years. Nothing
wrong with that!
--
Brian

The payoff on solar panels is blessed silence instead of generator
racket.  They don't make much sense from a fiscal standpoint.

 Electricity here costs US$0.33/kWh, so it's fairly easy to justify the
installation of grid-tied solar PV systems here, if you're willing to live
with 10~13 years for payback.  That's the rub - you spend that kind of money
now, and then someone rolls out a more efficient / cheaper solar PV system
in a year or two.  10~13 years is a long time to wait for payback on a
product based on a technology like solar PV. But hell - I did it anyway :-).


Regards,
Brian