> Oh, and to add insult to injury, that $10,000 a year estimate has worked out
> closer to $5000 a year for the power without taking repairs into account.

Which means, with the panels only lasting 10 or so years, you won't recoup the
investment, even without repair bills.

I feel similarly about electric lawnmowers.  I got one.  It was expensive.
The battery alone was half the cost.  The guarantee is only 5 years.  It
does not turn out to have the capacity to replace, only compliment, my gas
mower.

If gas prices stay up near US$4/gal, or if it lasts a lot longer than 5
years, I might recoup the cost.  It is brand new as of this Summer, so it
is not like it is an older one with older battery tech.  I thought about
buying another battery, which *might* help it replace the gas mower, but
that is cost prohibitive in the sense that it would guarantee that I would
never get my money back on it.

I *do* like it.  It is easier to push, cuts well, and I have noticed that I
breathe better while using it because I am not breathing any fumes.

Mike


 * SLMR 2.1a * Here is a loud announcement... Silence in the studio!!
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
 * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (618:250/1)