PV Gap

Joyce Said:

Can you have solar panels installed to where you pay no one a monthly fee for anything?

We Answered:

Mpfffffff.....

A few things:

Running your entire house from solar panels requires a massive installation and battery storage for those times when there is no sun (night, rain, snow, whatever). Effectively, the installation will need to be at least three times larger than the house peak load. If you have a small house and few electrical requirements that is one thing. But if you cook, heat, cool and make hot water with electricity that is entirely something else.

The typical solar panel gives very roughly 15 watts per square foot (150w/square meter), so you would calculate the amount of power you need at peak load (water heater + stove + heat), derive the number of square feet to make that peak, multiply it times three and you would have the area required. If you can control and limit your load at some arbitrary level, use that.

So, assume that you want to be able to heat or cool and cook at the same time, run a refrigerator, have some light, but you can restrict your hot water use and other appliance use to times when you are not cooking. A stove will use about 8800 watts of power. A refrigerator will use about 800 watts. Heating/cooling in say.... six rooms in a moderate climate will use about 18,000 watts.
800 + 18,000 + 8,800 = 27,600. Divide that by 15. That comes to 1840 square feet. Multiply that times three - that comes to 5,520 square feet of solar cells in order to create a self-sustaining system. That is the equivalent of a square 75 feet on a side.

The average cost per watt for solar power is about $4 - that is without any credits or subsidies. And you will have to add inverters and battery storage as well as the infrastructure. So, your cost for the installation will exceed US$100,000 - actually it will be very close to $150,000 when all is said and done. Deduct any credits and subsidies applicable for your final cost.

Our average power bill in Pennsylvania in an unregulated environment runs to about $140/month, or $1680/year. That works out to a payback at around 89 years - well past the expected service-life of the panels. With available subsidies and legislation pending in Harrisburg, that may be reduced to about a 25 year payback - about the life of the panels. And we would cover the entire roof + half of the rest of the property. Just not practical if the goal is to be off the grid.

Sean Said:

why does are road tax continue to grow, along with other car related fees, but we now have solar panels ?

We Answered:

you will probably flip to know some of the plans they have for the future ... basically making almost all roads toll roads ...

Carl Said:

Do you think i need permission to get solar panels on my apartments roof ?

We Answered:

Yes, I do think you'll need permission. No.... if you could get them for free, everyone would have them. While its a great idea, and they do work pretty well as long as your in an area with good sun coverage, they really are not cost effective. Unless you have a cabin in the woods, and energy is an issue, your better off insisting on energy star appliances and energy efficient windows.

Why don't you pettition for CFL's or LED lighting. Once your landlord starts seeing the savings there, he/she/they might be more inclined to larger investments.