Cost of Solar Cells

An important item to remember is that solar cells and equipment may get cheaper but your cost to have a system will be about the same. Why ? Becuase there are incentives that are rated by year and each yet the incentive is reduced by about 10%. Even clean energy won't get a fat incentive forever.
Also the cost of labor goes up. Electric rates keep rising so it will seem cheaper to have your own safe clean power. The best time to install solar is now.

To compare look at Japan. The have no incentives and everyone intsalls solar panels. They also have some of the highest electric rates in the world at over 20 cent s a kwh.

So don't even expect a free ride. If you pay a fair value you will keep your osts from going up but not get rick off solar panels or othr renewable energy. Clean quailty cost money.

PS you can invest in comapnies that are clean and your returns could make you a few bucks. Sunpower solar has gone up almost 100% this year alone. First solar when up anout 500% .

the solar stacks

knoa and Billy,

Being more efficent is the first step. A compact florescent bulb pays for itself in 1 year or less . a old fashioned incadensent bulb make 90% heat and less than 10% light and we call it a light bulb ? It heats the air and if your colling the house with Air Cond that's dump. It uses 100 watts and a CFL compact uses 1/3 the power AND makes less heat.

Other simple items, shade sceens and over hangs, solar screens to block heat but not light. Energy star appliances, a cloths lines instead of a gas or electric dryer. It all adds up a lot.

check with local incentives from your free estimate solar installer. There are now federal as well as local incentives. Don't forget net-metering and renewable energy credits.

I installed my own grid tied system in 2001 aqnd it's paid for itself already and keeps getting better. I add to it and also use passive solar screens, solar hot water, energy efficient appliances. It reduces pollution, is safer than nuclear and lasts for 40 years. Solar also doesn't use any ater like coal and nuke.

It's more than the dollars you save.

Hi Joseph:

I designed and built a very energy efficient passive solar home recently and had planned to have solar electric, however once I actually looked at the high initial cost I decided to buy my electric from the local power company. I am not happy about this since they generate almost all of their electricity from coal, and I have seen firsthand what an environmental catastrophe this is. Recently I learned about a new company called Citizenre, that has a plan to make Solar electric much more widely available by renting the systems, instead of selling them. They have eliminated the upfront cost and even made it cheaper to go with solar by locking in your current electric rate for 25 years. Although it will still be awhile before they are able to install the systems, I have signed up my house and even become a salesperson for this company. You can get more information at www.jointhesolution.com/kevineigel.

-Kevin Eigel