Photovoltaic, solar and you

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We’re thinking of installing photovoltaic panels on our roof to try to reduce our electric bills. It looks like the formula for savings is about $10 per panel. In other words, if you install a 10-panel system you can expect to save about $100 off your cost of electricity, a 20-panel system $200, and so on.

Has anyone installed a PV system, and if so, what’s been your experience?

Update: Harold asks good questions in the comments: “What is your annual range of temperatures? (Solar is more efficient in cool temperatures.) How good is your sun exposure? How nearly aligned is your roof to solar south?”

Temp range is 65-90 degrees year-round. There’s excellent sun exposure, and one section of the roof faces almost due south. In fact, that part of it has two big panels for solar water heating on it now, and has had for about 30 years. That works really well unless the skies are overcast for more than a day with no sun. The estimator says the new panels could fit around those with no trouble.

2 Comments

  1. A friend installed panels last year. The initial outlay is very high, but they should pay for themselves in about ten years – sooner if electricity costs increase. But this is all VERY dependent on government rebates designed to make solar competitively priced for installation, even though the market isn’t there yet. (Or, to put it another way, the rebates help offset the government support for fossil fuels-based electricity. Take away those supports, and solar would be competing on a level playing field.)

    What is your annual range of temperatures? (Solar is more efficient in cool temperatures.) How good is your sun exposure? How nearly aligned is your roof to solar south?

  2. The initial outlay is big, no question. But if you’ve got electric bills of $250-$275 per month and can cut them down by $100 or more, the payback is not all that far off. We’ve had one estimate of $12K for a 10-panel system, which would mean it would take ten years @ $100/month to recover the cost. Forecasts for electricity costs here are that they’ll rise another $100/month over the next few years, too.

    See above for addenda about the house.

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