[mythtv-users] [Slightly OT] solar power for all our gadgets

[Yan Seiner]

Jeff Walther wrote:
> Anyway, this topic kind of chaps me because I frequently hear the media
> non-critically hyping how wonderful it is to have solar panels, and the
> fact is that anyone who can do simple math (and doesn't live somewhere
> with really expensive electricity) can see that they make no economic
> sense whatsoever.
>   

Alas, the ability to do simple math and a PV analysis is sorely lacking 
in the US... Witness the current housing meltdown.

I did the same analysis.   It costs about $10K/1KW for solar.  With 
state and federal subsidies, the break-even over 20 years is about 
$0.15/KWh, and the life of the equipment is 20 years.  This assumes no 
maintenance.

Part of the reason is that it is a specialty market.  If more people did 
it it would be cheaper, but more people won't do it until the price 
comes down.  I sort of wish our current administration would follow up 
on the proposal to buy back solar-generated energy at $0.15/KWh.  Then 
you'd see a lot of systems go in and the price would come down.

--Yan


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