RM> My sister covered her garage roof with solar panels that feed back into
RM> the grid to save them a small percentage of their power costs. The panels
RM> cost them $80,000, make about half the power they were estimated to
RM> produce and have to be cleared of snow in winter. There are frequent
RM> equipment failures, mostly with the computerized parts of the collection
RM> knocking out individual panels. Being into the grid there are no
RM> batteries involved.
RM> 
RM> The old saying, 'It seemed like a good idea at the time!' comes to mind..

I have heard similar stories from friends of mine that have done the exact same
thing.  The time it would take to just break even on that $80k would take
multiple lifetimes.  It just doesn't make economic sense at all.

Not to mention that I hear the same thing from people.  They don't get near the
reduction in bill they thought and don't get near the amount of power they
thought.  

I just did a quick calculation.  If you average bill is $350/month and even if
the $80k provided enough power where your home would cost zero to run (highly
unlikely), it would take 19 years to recoup the costs.

- Mark

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