On 2008-01-27 09:34:20 +0000, David Hansen
said:

On 26 Jan 2008 17:02:39 GMT someone who may be
(Andrew Gabriel) wrote this:-

Hot water system which is DIY installed is the only
thing at the moment which is even remotely viable.

If one measures viability only in terms of simple payback period.

Of course if one does this then there are many things one shouldn't
install as they have infinite simple payback periods. A new
television or kitchen are examples.

Televisions and kitchens are not sold on the basis of a payback period.
Solar panels, to a great extent are.

Therefore to make a comparison is not valid in the way that you have done.

Why does somebody buy a television? Generally because they like to
watch the programs on it - perhaps it makes them feel good.

Why do they buy a kitchen? Partly functionality and partly because the
look pleases them and makes them feel good.

If you were to say that some people might like to have a solar panel
because the appearance pleases them, then fair enough. Perhaps there's
a market for dummy ones at a tenth of the price of a real one that
would satisfy that market.

If you were to say that some people might like to buy a solar panel in
order to feel good that they ar "doing their bit for the environment"
then also fair enough. They might want to research a bit further and
learn that it doesn't actually achieve very much, but if the feel good
factor is there then why not? The small number is not going to have
any significant impact one way or the other.

I'm expecting to see the Chinese introducing little house windmills to
the market really soon now. These will be light in weight and cheap to
manufacture (and resource friendly) and have a little motor inside to
drive the blades round when there is little or no wind; will run from a
highly efficient switched mode wall wart. People should feel good
about these as well and they'll be every bit as effective as the "real
thing".