PV Gap

Mathew Said:

Need solar power estimate in Chicago?

We Answered:

This wont answer your question, but you should check out wind power. Small windmills are more productive and much cheaper (per watt) than solar. Especially in "the windy city" it could work for you day and night. Just a thought.

Cory Said:

how long does it take for a sonal panel to recover its cost?

We Answered:

The answer depends heavily on the geographic location of the panels, and the local price of electricity.

The fastest cost recovery would be someone who is already using the top tier of rates for electricity, and can knock that down to the next tier. That kind of system can pay for itself in as little as 3 years. A more typical payback time for someone who installs a system today would be more like 10-15 years, in good areas like California. In a cloudy and rainy climate like Seattle, WA, panels may never pay back, not at today's prices.

Ramon Said:

Should i invest in a solar panel company?

We Answered:

I would not. You have to cover your roof with panels to get a bucks worth of power a day. The technology is never going to really fly. I recommend a good no load mutual fund for most investors.