I have yet to see any sort of solar panel system that would allow for less than a 20 year payback on the original cost (assuming it wasn't subsidized). They need to find a way to make them cheaply enough that payback is 5 years or less, then I'll buy into the fad.
At this rate, the sun may burn out before that happens. 
Topic: Solar Panel Porn - page 2. (Read 7063 times)
I once cooked a copper sheet on an oven and used it to make a solar panel. I feel that this story is relative to this thread. 
When will the price of this technology drop to realistic levels. Are there no big big companies that want to push something good for everyone? So much free energy wasted every day
I heard Wal-Mart is putting solar panels on top of all its stores.http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/wal-mart-to-go-solar-on-60-more-california-stores.html
If Wal-Mart puts solar panels on EVERY store worldwide, that is going to be a HUGE price drop (hopefully). Things get cheaper when you make lots of them.
Wal-Mart, still evil in my books, though.
When will the price of this technology drop to realistic levels. Are there no big big companies that want to push something good for everyone? So much free energy wasted every day
I heard Wal-Mart is putting solar panels on top of all its stores.http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/wal-mart-to-go-solar-on-60-more-california-stores.html
If Wal-Mart puts solar panels on EVERY store worldwide, that is going to be a HUGE price drop (hopefully). Things get cheaper when you make lots of them.
Wal-Mart, still evil in my books, though.
When will the price of this technology drop to realistic levels. Are there no big big companies that want to push something good for everyone? So much free energy wasted every day
Well, 10k really meant 10k, 20k, 30k etc etc, dunno why I included 1k-10k, maybe because I was secretly hoping prices has gone way down since I last looked 
your system also cost in the 1-10k range
ha! now you're dreaming. the total cost (panels, inverter, installation) cost approximately $70k AUD, then there was a $10k government rebate. The solar scheme we're on allows us to draw at 0.2069/kWh, and feed in at 0.44/kWh. my initial calculations give it about a 28 year payback period, although there's really not enough data yet, i expect it's a bit less than that. if we add another 10 panels (bringing it up to a 7kW system) that'll drop the total payback period down to around 24 years (any panels added on top now have a payback period of roughly 11 years). unfortunately, 40 panels is the max that the inverter can handle before another one has to be installed (expensive).
Sunny QLD.
Could you just tell us how much it cost you, I'm always interested in hearing more about peoples setups
3.73kW would cover basically all of our household usage, course, your system also cost in the 1-10k range, which we don't have the money for
It'd only cover you in the daytime.3.73kW would cover basically all of our household usage, course, your system also cost in the 1-10k range, which we don't have the money for
I have yet to see any sort of solar panel system that would allow for less than a 20 year payback on the original cost (assuming it wasn't subsidized). They need to find a way to make them cheaply enough that payback is 5 years or less, then I'll buy into the fad.
Could you just tell us how much it cost you, I'm always interested in hearing more about peoples setups
3.73kW would cover basically all of our household usage, course, your system also cost in the 1-10k range, which we don't have the money for
3.73kW would cover basically all of our household usage, course, your system also cost in the 1-10k range, which we don't have the money for
i'm in australia, so i'm not sure whether i'll be able to help you out. if you're still interested, send me a pm!
Those look great.
Mind telling suppliers/price? I've been looking at building a couple panels for camping and such.
Mind telling suppliers/price? I've been looking at building a couple panels for camping and such.
I know there's at least a couple of miners out there who have big solar arrays, lets see em!
I guess it doesn't have to be solar, any renewable energy is ok as long as it's yours!
30x 175W panels. Total output of 5.25kW.
Sunny Boy meter on day view (honestly not the best day for it)
Month view!
I guess it doesn't have to be solar, any renewable energy is ok as long as it's yours!
30x 175W panels. Total output of 5.25kW.
Sunny Boy meter on day view (honestly not the best day for it)
Month view!
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