PV Gap

Kent Said:

What is the cost to install solar panels?

We Answered:

I don't know about Texas, but in California, doing a self-install does not invalidate the rebate. And it certainly does not invalidate the Federal Tax Credit on form 5695 http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f5695--df… . Take a look at the form and instructions. I got both rebates installing myself. Florida requires professional installation for their rebate, I think.

You must still be compliant with your local building codes. What you could do is hire a roofer to put up the standoffs and panels, then later, an electrician to hook it up to your service panel. The electrician can run conduit as needed. Or you could do the physical job of putting up the panels, yourself, then call the electrician to hook it up. Just be sure to get all the necessary permits and inspections.

$20k is way too much for just installation. That should buy a 3 kW system, parts included, installed.

If you want to see roughly what's involved so that you can direct a roofer, you can see a video here: http://www.archive.org/details/DIY_self_…

Ida Said:

how much could be the cost of cadmium sulphide for ex: per kg in indian market en is there any manufacturing c?

We Answered:

cadmium and its salts are a banned substance industrially way back from 1973.

Agnes Said:

I am thinking of starting my own photovoltaic factory?

We Answered:

First ask yourself... what type of PV do I want to make?

There are many different kinds that use silicon, and then there are other methologies that use Gallium Arsenic and then there is even Organic PV.

It can be done with a whole lot of research. A typcial, cheap off ebay, manufacturing line with tooling and staff to run it will run at least $5million. This is with know how of industrial processing and being able to cut corners. Keep in mind no one will work for you unless you provide a fairly good compensation package, and managing that and everything else might be difficult so you may want to hire a human resources department. How about selling it? You might want a marketing department. How about making it? You might want a production team. How about getting the product out? You might want a packaging team.

Think about having 2 people in each department (VERY VERY SMALL OPERATION) and paying them $60,000 (cheap for professionals), and having 5 different departments. Already, you're at 600,000 a year, without tooling. Then take a guess at how long before you'd be up and running.

John Said:

Could this information lead to a solution?

We Answered:

The cost of electricity from solar panels is, per unit, in most places, far higher than the price of grid electricity.

So the price of energy input to make the new panels, powered by the older panels, would be higher.

You must also take into account the discounting effect. Basically, at a 5% rate of interest, $10 payback in 30 years time is worth about $2.30 or so now. When you consider this, high capital-low maintenance solutions like renewables look comparatively worse.

I don't think your solution is an economic starter. I'm pretty sure that our greatest hope continues to be technological innovation and economic improvements in production.


Don't assume I'm against solar power: I'm applying for a PhD in solar PV research, so I obviously hope it works! I'm just calling it as I see it.