Today as I wandered through the internet researching the latest greatest advances in solar power I came across The American Solar Energy Society, their page to had a link to a solar calculator http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme.
Hey Great! I plugged in my average power usage for a 30 day period (from my electric bill) and let it do its thing. The calculator is based on professional installations using state of the art systems. The results are below.
This sucks!!!!!!!!!!! We have to do better!!!!!! This is what drives me and this is why I am here to promote a grassroots effort to make it better and cheaper so that anyone can afford to reduce their carbon footprint and
SAVE MONEY doing so. You can not rely on corporations when everybody is in this for
major profit.
The results below show it will take 30 years to breakeven. Who but the wealthiest can or will do this? By the way, the newest of solar panels have a 30 year life expectancy and from what I have seen in the real world the power accessories (i.e. inverters, controllers and batteries) have far less. If you go this route you will never ever break even unless you back feed the grid and reduce you consumption. Even then they will only pay you the whole sale price (far less than what you are charged) for what you produce. I have seen advertised 'How-To' books (@$49.95) and videos on building your own solar panel for under $200, I have not purchased these guides simply because I know how to reuse old panels but I am very tempted to see if they are worth the money so that I can advise you on a better way.
For those of you interested in alternative methods, I recommend you visit another site I found. I have yet to read everything on it but it does look promising. Low Tech Magazine at http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/ for better solutions.
Calculator found at
http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightformeSystem specifications for: Ranson, WV
Utility: Other
Solar Radiance: Solar radiance (insolation) is the amount
of solar energy received on a given
surface area in a given time. Commonly
expressed in kilowatt-hours per square
meter per day (kWh/sq m/day). This
measurement varies based on weather
and latitude of the given location. 4.62 kWh/sq m/day
Avg. Monthly Usage: This is the amount of electricity you
consume on average every month. It is
either determined by your input or
approximated by your electricity bill
divided by the cost per kilowatt hour
in your area ($0.0688/kWh). 1,526 kWh/month
System Size: This approximation is for a system to
produce enough electricity to offset
50% of your yearly usage.
It is determined by taking your avg.
daily usage, and dividing that by your
(solar radiance x 80%). The 80% is used
for the inherent inefficiencies in solar
power systems (95% inverter inefficiency,
89% weather impact, 95% inefficiency due
to soiling, utility, and module
inefficiencies). 6.85 kW
Roof Size: Approximate roof size needed to
accomodate your solar power system
can be deteremined by taking the
size of the system and dividing by
10 to get the square footage
(10 watts/sq ft). 684 sq ft
Estimated Cost: The approximate cost is an estimation
based on a price of $8/watt. This is
the average rate, including parts and
installation, for systems above 2kW. $54,782.04
Post Incentive Cost: The post incentive cost is an estimation
based on the available credits/rebates for
your area. This may include kWh
production incentives for up to 25 years
if applicable in your area. This provides
an approximation of the local/state
incentives, and should only be used as
an approximation. $36,947.43
Federal Incentives
Tax Credit: 30% Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit
State Incentives
Tax Credit: 30% ($2,000.00 max) Residential Solar Energy Tax Credit
Estimated Cost: The approximate cost is an estimation based on a price of $8/watt. This is the average rate, including parts and installation, for systems above 2kW. $54,782.04
Post Incentive Cost: The post incentive cost is an estimation based on the available credits/rebates for your area. This may include kWh production incentives for up to 25 years if applicable in your area. This provides an approximation of the local/state
incentives, and should only be used as an approximation. $36,947.43
Avg. Monthly Savings: $52.49 25
Year Savings: The 25 year savings is based on the
amount of electricity cost you save over a 25 year period assuming a yearly
4% increase in utility rates. $26,234.12 25
Year ROI: 71.00%
Break Even: 30.79 years
The electricity you use causes the release of 27,468 pounds per year of carbon dioxide (which promotes global warming). Driving 30,438 miles in an average car emits an equal amount. To offset the yearly emissions, it would require planting 69 trees a year.
