It's time for re-roofing the house and we're thinking of adding a bank of
photovoltaic shingles on the south side of the house. Anybody taken the
plunge on these and have any good comments?

JP

JP wrote:
It's time for re-roofing the house and we're thinking of adding a
bank of photovoltaic shingles on the south side of the house. Anybody
taken the plunge on these and have any good comments?

JP

I don't think their time as come YET, under most circumstances.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

The IDEAL angle & direction for a solar panel is probably not the
angle and direction of your roof

The cost to buy, install and maintain probably exceed the life
expectancy of the product.

they cant generate enough electric to pay for themselves before they
die of old age.

if your in say phoenix arizonia you have a better chance of $ than say
seattle washington.

Your probably better off putting up some panels to heat water, they
have a shorter payback and check local codes, some yuppie municipalties
think they are ugly and have rules against them

Or your neighbors may get mad thinking they decrease nearby home
values

Too bad they arent more fiancially effective

"JP" wrote in message
...
It's time for re-roofing the house and we're thinking of adding a bank of
photovoltaic shingles on the south side of the house. Anybody taken the
plunge on these and have any good comments?

JP



If your utility company or a government agency is not offering any sort of
rebate or tax incentive then it is probably not financially viable. New
Jersey has one of the best financial incentive programs in the nation,
however the system must be approved by the power company. The system must
be set up to gain maximum sun exposure.

Please keep in mind that these systems require maintenance. Solar panels go
bad on occasion and must be replaced. If you are serious about doing this,
there are installers who specialize in these systems and are aware of any
financial incentive programs in your area. Talk to as many people as
possible. Ask to see other homes with photovoltaic systems and talk to the
owners.

A photovoltaic system is not a substitute for a home generator unless you
add a bank of batteries which will add to the installation cost and the
maintenance.

I think one thing is certain; utility rates will continue to rise.