How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Cells In A Typical American House, And When Will It Be Paid Back?
Jan 25, 2010 in
diy
I am very concerned about global warming, and when I grow up (I’m fourteen), I plot on helping to solve the world’s problems by looking into environmental research (college course options would be nice to include in your answers) and I’m wondering currently how much it expenditure to install solar cells and how long it will take to pay off.
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One comment
AspSmart on January 25, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Yhis is a very complicated question. I won’t be able to answer it, but will give you some things to reckon about.
First of all, I have a solar system. I installed it because I had enough money, and it was privileged on my priority list than anything else. My first goal was to do it in the name of reducing my impact on the energy and ecology situations.
The second goal was to provide enough power to keep from buying power from the utility. I went overboard, and bought a system much larger than I needed. As a result, and due to some changes in my life (I now live alone) I have been able to not only provide all the electricity I needed, but to heat the house with electricity as a replacement for of gas. I still have a gas water heater. In California, if you use more electricity than you make on any given day, you can feed electricity to the utility. If you are using more than you are making, you can take power from them. At the end of a year, you pay for any amount you used over what you place back in. They call it net metering. In addition, I pay a small monthly charge for the right to use the utility’s system.
There are a fantastic many things to consider when thinking of installing photovoltaic solar. Reckon of the roof. If it will have to be replaced in a year or so, it might be best to do both at once, or wait until time to reroof. If the system is to be mounted on the roof, worry about future leaks. They have to make a lot of holes when mounting the panels. Mine are over the garage and an overhang, not the attic. I did have a leak in the garage. Not nearly as huge a deal as if it were over the attic.
At today’s expenditure, it would take many years to break even on cost. Perhaps by the time you would want one, the expenditure of systems will have gone down. Surely the cost of power will have gone up. Since my system cut both my lighting and heating bills, my system will pay for itself in a shorter time. Also I will sell this house in a few years. The system will add value to the house, so that helps.
So when you are deciding, first define your goals. Write down just what you want the system to do. Then choose what you are keen to do without in order to have the system.
If you maintain your present attitude about the environment, I don’t reckon it will matter what you study in college. That is, unless you plot to work in the area of environmental management. You will want to pick the kind of job you are interested in. If you are like my kids, you will change your employment goals more than once, as you mature and change your interests. Nothing incorrect with that, as long as you settle on something. Let your parents in on your thoughts and goals. I hope they give you a free hand, but a lot of excellent advice too.
I didn’t mean to write a book, but your question was a challenge.