Solar power question.

[El Guaraguao]

Lets say there's a family of 4, looking into solar power . Mother, father and two kids. Living in a 3 bed 2 bath 1 story Florida home. What would be the average price to purchasing AND installing a solar panel setup to completely get off the power grid?

If the price is reasonable, why aren't more people using solar power?

 

[RoloMather]

Over $9000

 

[JS80]

Lets say there's a family of 4, looking into solar power . Mother, father and two kids. Living in a 3 bed 2 bath 1 story Florida home. What would be the average price to purchasing AND installing a solar panel setup to completely get off the power grid?

If the price is reasonable, why aren't more people using solar power?

The price isn't reasonable, hence more people aren't using solar power.

 

[her209]

Why would the size of the family matter?

 

[Vette73]

Depends on a lot of factors.

Like your going rate of power? Will your insurance even cover panels if they get damaged in a storm and/or will they cover them but raise your rates? Are there any good tax savings in your state? Can you install it yourself? Will you stay in that house for at least 10years?

 

[nickbits]

I dont think complety is feesable or possible.

 

[Bignate603]

You're not going to be able to get completely off the grid without a massive storage system to cover nights and cloudy days. You may be able to make yourself grid neutral without the storage system if your power company allows you to sell them power when you're producing more than you're using. That will balance out the cost of the power that you use when you need power but the sun isn't shining.

The price as other people have said is pretty steep and you may not even have enough roof area to zero yourself out.

It's significantly easier to get your money back on a solar water heater. The payback period in some areas can be less than a year after the incentives by local governments and the power companies.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Solar panels are quite expensive. IMO it's a great technology and I wish it was used more. Think the prices would eventually go down. Apparently you can make your own using white powdered donuts, but doubt they would be that efficient.

Wind is probably more viable then solar, and easier to maintain. I'm surprised we don't see more wind turbines. It's free energy. So maybe it's not ALWAYS windy, but still, when it is, it's free energy.

I've considered wind power for my house, but I don't know what kind of bylaws exist about building a giant cement structure in the back yard with 100 foot spinning blades. Somehow, I don't think it would pass inspection.

 

[Bignate603]

I've considered wind power for my house, but I don't know what kind of bylaws exist about building a giant cement structure in the back yard with 100 foot spinning blades. Somehow, I don't think it would pass inspection.

Then get one of these.

Mini wind turbines

 

[lepper boy]

When I looked into this a few years ago it was 25k + to get off the grid, providing you had enough sunlight in your area to make it work.

where I lived, I would of still had to buy a geneartor to supplement the solar grid.

I'm currently looking into wind power, since we have a majority of days with wind 10-20mph. But the city frowns on having anything stick up in the air more then 26 ft.

 

[lxskllr]

You usually have to be dedicated to use non traditional power sources. It requires significant lifestyle changes, and you count wattage like a 400# dieter counts calories. It's doable, but not for the typical American imo.

 

[endervalentine]

Sun Power has a pretty neat calculator that would give an estimate of the cost based on your area and also show a plot of the cost with and without the upgrade.

http://us.sunpowercorp.com/estimator/

For instance, if I put it the Santa Clara city, this is what I get:

System Size 3.563 kW
System Cost $33,845
Federal Rebates & Credit -$8,994
State and Local Rebate & Credits -$3,865
Net Installation Cost $20,98

 

[thescreensavers]

The price isn't reasonable, hence more people aren't using solar power.

This, there are calculators on the internet, check your FPL power bill and see how many kWh you used for the month.

Many sites that sell solar power for homes have calculators that you can just input your KWh's and it will estimate how much it will cost to cover 50% or 100%..ect

 

[FoBoT]

the price ISN'T reasonable, that is why people are not using it
it takes too long to recoup costs EVEN with nauseating tax credits from the federal govt.

 

[Newbian]

Wind is probably more viable then solar, and easier to maintain. I'm surprised we don't see more wind turbines. It's free energy. So maybe it's not ALWAYS windy, but still, when it is, it's free energy.

The problem with wind power is as we have replaced trees that were cut down the wind speed actually decreases so you can either have free energy or free oxygen.

But seriously the problem is with zoning issues since those blades could be deadly if not properly maintained plus they can be eyesores if everyone uses them.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ but its green! dont you know no one cares how crappy it looks unless its green!

 

[BoomerD]

I looked into solar 2 years ago for our house. To completely become "neutral" with the local electric company would cost nearly $70,000 before rebates and tax credits.

After taking into the energy company rebates, the price was still over $30,000.

That's a lot of up-front money to save about $1500-$1800 per year.

System specifications for: Modesto, CA
Utility: Modesto Irrigation District

Solar Radiance: 5.66 kWh/sq m/day
Avg. Monthly Usage: 1,100 kWh/month
System Size: 8.07 kW
Roof Size: 807 sq ft
Estimated Cost: $64,579.04
Post Incentive Cost: $33,451.94

http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme

 

[Modelworks]

The solar panels alone cost $18K, add in the installation and the inverters and batteries, The batteries have to be changed out every 4-5 years at $225 each x 24= $6500 , it isn't cost effective for most.

 

[RU482]

not sure how much it has come down in the last couple years...last time I looked into it, the panels were around $4/watt. Then you need batteries for storage, and wiring, and inverters (unless you have a scheme for running everything on DC, which would cost bou cou $$).

There are some pretty sweet tax incentives, but that isn't exactly free money either.

If you have the means, I commend you for your attempt at whatever it is.

 

[RU482]

Apparently you can make your own using white powdered donuts, but doubt they would be that efficient.

wow...I think you misinterpreted someone's analogy for how much energy you have after a bump of coke

 

[lxskllr]

Typically you'd use alternate tech to get away from civilization. The cost can be justified then, and sometimes is cheaper when you take very long runs of grid electric into account. It seldom pays when you live near the grid, but alternate tech can take some of the load off, and if your creative, much of it can be built yourself.

 

[0roo0roo]

its not practical for average people. it is a green badge/gadgetry or roof decoration for people with extra cash to burn.
a full system that can support full load of a family is extremely expensive. esp if its got battery banks for night. anything cheaper is mostly bs that only supplements your grid power

 

[HopJokey]

Typically an on-grid Solar PV system that supplies an average of 80-90% of your power needs is the most efficient and maximizes the ROI.

Attempting to supply 100% of your own power is usually not cost efficient as there is a huge amount of diminishing returns when seeking those last few percentages.

 

[waffleironhead]

if you are already on the grid, look at a grid-tie system and do without the batteries.

 

[Fritzo]

Over $9000

Probably more---I'm thinking around $20000 and a HUGE yard to hold all of the panels. Most people on solar aren't completely off the grid.