Cost calculator for solar power system

[zetta]

I ran my numbers through this site, and while it turns out purchasing a solar system doesn't make sense finanially for me, I thought some other folks here might be interested. Note that the default assumes an interest-only loan for 10 years -- I changed it to 0 because there's no way I'd take out an interest-only loan.

SunPower Smarter Solar

I think renting solar panels might be a better option:
 The Citizenrē Corporation | Bringing Solar Power to Your Home

From what I can see, the system is sized based on your annual electric usage, and your rental fee is based on the current electricity price in your area. You are basically locking in today's electric price for the term of the contract (1,5,10, or 25 years), so the savings don't really start until rates go up over the next few years.

Since we actually use more natural gas than electric (due to having gas-powered water heater, dryer, and home heat), it would require a pretty major investment in replacing appliances to really take advantage of it. While I like to toy with the idea, I don't think we'll be switching to solar any time soon. We might consider it if we ever build a home.

[MonkeyMama]

Thanks for sharing.

This is something we would consider for the long term. But for now it would be a pretty huge investment to save 20/month on electricity. Interestingly, if our electric bill was higher it would only still save us $20/month. Kind of bizarre. I was just playing with the numbers - the savings does not seem big at all. For us that is like 30% of our bill though since it is generally low.

We use most of our electricity in the winter (for heat) anyway so I am not sure the solar would really help us at all. Not so much sun in the winter. But interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I am with you - we want to build our own home someday and would like to look into some energy efficient things beyond what we already have, but for the most part seems like a huge cost for little savings. Thinking long-term I don't think solar is bad though. Since we have a newer house with little repairs it is something we would consider when we have the cash. I mean since we shouldn't have to invest in a new roof for 50 years or dual paned windows or all that (already have it all). Solar is kind of on the top of our list. But more out of a feeling of eco-responsibility than for cost savings really. Obviously, after looking at that calculator.

[zetta]

The electric portion of our bill averages about $65. I like the idea of solar from an environmental perspective. I see a lot of solar water systems on the roofs around here -- the new generation, where they're made of flat black plastic -- so I'm curious to see how much those run.

[zetta]

Looks like you can get a solar water heating system for $2000 (warm climates) - $5000 (freezing climates) (installation extra). The ones I see a lot on the roofs here are actually pool heating systems (which don't need to get the temperature as high). Some of the systems can use your existing hot water heater as the storage tank (which also provides a backup). One site said installation by a professional solar installer runs $800 - $2000.

[Like2Plan]

I would love to be able to do something like this, but I was wondering what in the world do you do if you have to replace the roof? You must have to take the entire solar array down. ( I suppose it would be a good idea to start with a brand new roof before slapping any panels on the roof?)

In figuring out the cost, there is the initial cost outlay, but I wonder how ofter you have to do periodic maint, plus I wonder how susceptible those panels are to breakage and what is their normal life span? Even though we live quite a ways inland we lost some siding because of the high winds when hurricane Isabelle came through a few years ago. (We also get some pretty respectable thunderstorms in the summertime and one of two ice storms in the winter )

[DebbieL]

I work in an architectural firm. They don't last long enough to make them economical (the savings are too little over the life of them, and they are EXPENSIVE). The only people I hear about getting them are rich people with custom built homes.