PV Gap

Miriam Said:

What you all think about SOLAR INDUSTRY? WHY THE COST IS STILL SO HIGH?

We Answered:

The cost of of materials to make solar cells and the manufacturing process are still too expensive compared to other forms of energy. Just about every one. This may not be the exact order, but it is close from cheapest to most expensive:
Hydroelectric
Nuclear
Coal
Natural Gas
Oil
Wind
Solar

You'll need the price of those other sources to increase significantly before solar will become a viable option.

Diana Said:

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO CONVERT AN OIL BOILER HEATING SYSTEM TO SOLAR?

We Answered:

Cost varies considerably between doing some of the work yourself to having someone install it for you.

A lot also depends on whether or not you are actually have a 2 pipe hot water system, a single pipe steam system. If you are planning on doing some serious landscaping, you will have better luck with a geothermal system. They will vary widely on cost depending on a number of factors, but expect anywhere from around 20,000 to 35 thousand as a ball park for geothermal, based on numbers for someone I know who installed one. You still need a back up heat source, but less need for back up heat than you would with a soar heat system. Solar heat you should plan for a backup system. The other advantage with geothermal is you can use it for cooling in summer as well. A lot of money to be sure, but you can expect such a system to likely pay for itself in about 10 years. An installer in your area can give you better numbers.

Using the geothermal as only a rough guide, you should expect a hot water solar system to run from about 25,000 to 40,000 as a ball park estimate providing your roof is adequate for the panels and need no extra construction for support. This sounds like a lot of money, but the reality is your heating bills will be much less.

If you do it yourself, you can save a lot of money, but make sure to invest in the code books to make sure your work meets national codes, and double check with your local unit of government to see if they have additional code requirements.

Rick Said:

How much would cost for a Solar Panel system in Florida?

We Answered:

Your number sounds correct, as despite what you see on the news the costs for solar are still quite high. Keep in mind that with economies of scale, the incentives and subsidies, and the ever rising price of fuel that the utilities are passing along to customers will make the cost of solar go that much lower. Push your local state representative to pass the Feed In Tariff measure that my research shows is working its way through the FL State Legislature, as that will bring down the cost of solar as well.

There is a good solar panel calculator on the sun electronics website, and I know that their panels have been working well. My Uncle used them for a big retro fit that he did on his house in the Florida Keys, My In-Laws for a project outside of Chicago, and my brother on his boat in the Caribbean.

Good Luck