PV Gap

Debra Said:

would you spend the money for solar power in your house?

We Answered:

I had to spend about $8,000 to provide a base for my solar panels. I am glad I did. With my oversize system (6kW) I heat the house as well as get all the regular electricity I need. I must say though, I live alone in a temperate climate. I save about $200 per month in winter, and about $100 in summer.

Don Said:

How can you produce electricity for your own house?

We Answered:

Wind turbines are another solution. Here are some manufacturers of residential turbines:
http://www.awea.org/smallwind/smsyslst.h…

Don Said:

Would you rather install solar panels at $15k once or pay $3000 per year indefinitely to heat your house?

We Answered:

The government IS subsidizing nuclear, coal, gas, and oil.

Nuclear subsidies are the largest direct subsidies of any energy form.

Coal is subsidized by the sale of below-market-value land, as well as the public payment for cleaning up the pollution and health effects of the energy.

However, it is oil and gas that have the largest subsidies. They get direct subsidies for infrastructure, but they also get enormous indirect subsidies in the form of military protection for oil producing nations. In fact, it has been estimated that half of our military spending is devoted to protecting oil supplies.

Furthermore, all these industries receive industry-specific tax breaks, which is yet another subsidy.

Thus, given all the subsidies these other form of energy get, I feel it's only fair that we subsidize solar/wind/etc. to allow them to compete on a level playing field.

As to your question: if the cost of solar panels were factored into the mortgage cost and amortized over the life of the standard home loan (30 years), they would be an absolutely obvious money saver, even in colder climates.

Terrance Said:

Does the electric company have to pay for energy that your house make from say solar panels?

We Answered:

Do they have to NO
But in many states and provinces you can go on a progam to do just that. But you have to apply for it.
PS they don't want you just to hook up to the grid. If the power company needs to work on the lines they need to know where and who is supplying power before they can work on the lines

Leslie Said:

If we were to mass produce solar panels, would you use them on your house for electricity?

We Answered:

Yes, and I would want them to be able to attach to my house and be the roof.