PV Gap

Anne Said:

Why Do People Not Believe in Solar When You Can Lease Solar PV in CA for the Cost of Your Electric Bill?

We Answered:

Other states aren't as fortunate as California in terms of amount of sun vs. electricity prices.

California's rebate is small, as it has been ramping down for years. The Federal tax credit dominates, the same credit that is available in any state.

Our system, which is 3 kW, supplies substantially all our electrical needs for the year. But we're a conservative user of electricity - no A/C, no electric heat, no pool pump, no big screen TV. Like 95% of solar systems installed today, it uses no batteries. At today's prices, the system would cost $9000, including tax and shipping, but not labor, and not including tax credit. We paid no labor, as it was a self-install, but for another person, possibly the tax credit would balance out the labor. Assuming the system lasts 20 years, the cost per kWh is 7.5 cents. This is how a lease can make money, since the cost of electricity is currently more like 15 cents per kWh here. In a place with less sun or cheaper electricity, this arrangement would not work.

As prices of panels drop, I expect systems to become financially advantageous in more and more areas, even without added incentives. But not yet.

To the assertion that solar panels never return the energy put into their manufacture, that was once true, perhaps in 1980. Here is a document from the National Renewable Energy Labs with a more recent analysis http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35489.… . A modern solar electric panel is a good location will return the energy of its manufacture in about 2 years.

Ruby Said:

if a commercial solar cell with a maximum output of 2 amps at .5 v costs $30, what will be the cost of a PV ?

We Answered:

2 amps at .5 v is 1 watt
1000 watts or 1kW would then cost $30000

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Yolanda Said:

who here is in the solar energy, PV, field and lives in the US?

We Answered:

A Photovoltaic Installation & System designer which provide solar /wind energy consulting service to residential, businesses, city, or foreign governments on how to develop solar electric system sizing !

Here I may be of help to address what we have found within the market place particularly to state a few examples:
A Trillion Dollar Market Opportunity
That Which Can Create JOBS

1.ZEH zero-energy homes new development for investors
2.Commericial application for cost reduction shopping mall ,etc.
3.city governments create resolutions of 10% goal of solar /renewable energy for it citizens
4.educated against the fear or myth on how & why the solar /wind /bio-fuel help hedge against inflationary effect of rising energy cost.

Now to address your question on what year will US citizens invest in solar modules as a source of income? what year will the cost of the modules become affordable and profitable?

Our predictions will relate to the an historic earmark price of gas prices climbing between 3.75 to 4.35 per gallon in terms per barrel anything between 75 to 95 dollars or euro.

Why the impact out reach every facets of the USA economy mean many will be force to reside or spend more time at home and travel for goods, products , and service will be effected to the point of increases in cost but the true indicator will be the electric &heating bills !

If a homeowners owes a note of 750 to 2000 per month the electric rates across the country will rise between 70% to 150% to the average homeowner its can mean for example :

Home & Auto Energy Crisis
.a. monthly utilities bill averaging 200 the rate increase could mean paying 400

b. average electric or heating bill if its 400 the rate increase can mean 800 and its can mean for business serious decisions on employees or the cost on product items to the consumer1

We can call these invisible forces impacting upon top of rising insurance cost & food!
We can label this the FUEL & FOOD Crisis!

So the prediction is increase effect of the rising energy cost will directly force the consumer market to search for alternative energy solutions immediate whereby this will be a stimulus within the job market & for investors!

And the last question ties directly in proportion to the consumer demand for solar modular for examples which in turn can help produce the effects within the market place base upon the Supply & Demand out of urgency which the consumer market can help to create in lowering the cost of Solar / Wind/ Bio- Fuels technologies applications.

Remember That President Bush / Congress passed into law the 30% tax credit on renewable energy plus each State may have Grant & Rebates which is excellent in reduce your first solar system 1

We find in some States with Federal tax credits can help reduce cost up to 50%

Yes Get The Good News Out!



Wisdom2See

Harold Said:

How much will be the average cost of 10 kW solar PV system?

We Answered:

Depends on if you are planning on doing the installation yourself. The going price these days for a professionally installed PV (photovoltaic) grid tied system is about $9 per watt. So an installed 10kW system without battery backup would cost about $90,000. Depending on where you are, that could generate an average of about 1000kwh per month, more in the south, less in the north.

If you are installing yourself, it may cost about $6 per watt, but you need to know what you are doing to do a safe, code compliant system.

Grid tied systems need very little maintenance, maybe washing them off occasionally, doesn't cost much of anything. If you want a battery based system, it will cost quite a bit more and the batteries need to be replaced every so often, maybe 8 - 10 years depending on the type.

Peter Said:

Why would anyone say Solar PV isn't cost effective when in CA you can lease for the current cost of your bill?

We Answered:

Solar is an excellent option in California. But California gets a great deal of sun.

In Pacific Northwest, though, it will take many, many years for a homeowner to recover the cost of solar panels in energy savings. And likewise, in the most populous areas of the country, it isn't windy enough for people to recover the cost of wind turbines in a reasonable amount of time. And really, by the time people recover the cost, the equipment will need to be replaced.

I think that large-scale renewable energy is the solution, not small-scale. Building large solar plants in the southwest to convert water into hydrogen could fuel all of our cars. Building wind turbines off-shore could fuel all our homes. But power companies are going to be needed to do those things.

Stacey Said:

What are the costs of solar PV cells?

We Answered:

What kind of PV cells do you mean? You can buy them for your house from shops in the UK but that's not quite the same costs as setting up a large scale industrial generator.

Like all things the questions a lot more complicated than you would first think. There are lots of different brands/designs of PV cell and each one costs different amounts to make/buy/install as well as having various degrees of efficiency so making different amounts of electricity and money.

Imagine buying a pair of trainers. I got some from the supermarket that cos £5 but you can also buy some that cost £300 per pair.

Tell your teacher it's a stupid question, they should think before they ask.