Solar Panels, for CIVIL discussion
Calculating ROI is so simple, a child can do it. Solar makes economic sense for some, and not for others.
Solar sort of works out OK in the desert for some residence. Totally dependent on electic provider. One provideer, it makes total sense as the rates are double our lower cost group on east end of valley. When you are getting gashed for an $800+/month bill in hot months, solart makes financial sense in that equation. My worst month is about 400/month, avg for the year is about 200 is my guess.
I had a quote for an install. 44K... LOL I spoke with my friend that is an electrician 2 years ago about it. He said to source all the stuff, get permits and everything, total cost doing it ourselves would have been 8,800. My payback period, about 44 months. If you can do it yourself, get it most of the way and have the final hook ups done by an electrician, you are MILES ahead on cost.
No surprise the power providers are not keen on paying for what you backfeed onto the grid. They want that juice for free. Most changed the metering of the backfeed to zero almost nothing.
Also the panels degreed in efficiency over time.
Environmentally, GREEN solutions aren't really green, other than the appearance of not burning a fossil fuel to create energy/movement. All solutions have major warts. Isn't any way the power grid in CA can support 7+ million cars being recharged. Fantasy land stuff there.