On Apr 3, 10:56*am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article ,

*"HeyBub" wrote:
Solar-electric anything is a bad investment.

Arguably true today, but you won't be able to say that for long. We're
working on the next generation of solar at work, as are others.
Efficiency of the collectors has gone way, way up, and prices keep
coming down.

A friend of mine had a system put on his roof a year ago. He has no
batteries, so the meter runs backwards during the day and forwards at
night. He spent $18,000, and he's saving $60 a month. Hardly a
respectable return, financially.

Within six months, we're planning to have a system of equivalent output
that's 1/3 the size at 1/3 the cost. That should be approaching
viability from an investment standpoint, particularly with the gov't
incentives now in effect.


Huh? I have 2 AC compressors/air handlers in a 2 story home. How
much power can one get from an $18000 solar panel? In the summer I
need to run the AC, will the meter be going backwards with two 30 amp
220v circuits running on a 90 degree day? We really only have 3.5
months of good sunny weather a year in Chicago at $60/mo savings will
the payback occur before the system itself (or roof) needs to be
replaced? In winter the days are very short and roofs covered with
snow blocking all light to a panel. I assume the roofers would add at
least $12000 to their estimate if they have to remove a solar unit to
finish the roof job (shingles in Chicago dont last their rated
lifetimes due to the crappy weather extremes). I just dont see solar
being a solution to any of the countrys energy issues.