I installed 5 months ago solar panels that are supposed to produce 5 megawatts per year. So far (in autumn and winter months) we’ve generated just under 2 megawatts. So the system seems to be about on target for generation. But 5000 x .15 = $750. So at current rates, it’ll take 22 years for me to get back my investment of $35,000 (minus PA Sunshine rebate of $11,500 plus Federal Tax Credit of $7050) = $16,450. That is, if electricity continues to be charged in my region at .15 per kwh, which it will not.

However, I am not complaining; I just want the figures to be clear for those interested. And I will get an incredibly generous rebate from Pennsylvania. I mean, I’m supposed to get one. It hasn’t shown up yet, and now 5 months after installation, they say they want to inspect the system again. I do imagine I’ll get the rebate some day, and the federal tax credit seems like a sure thing. Note that the 30% is taken AFTER any state rebates, so it’s 30% of $23,500 (=$7050).

And who would have thought that the year I installed solar panels would be a record-breaking snow dump in my area. I’ve shoveled off the panels three times so far. Not that it’s required, I just do that to maximize my yield. One could just wait for it to melt, but I like to see the generation continue on the sunny days after the big snows.

So one would need to be motivated by something other than finances at current electricity rates. And I am. It’s like purchasing a $16,500 science project or toy that has the benefit of clearly helping the environment while slowing paying me back. People (seem to) think nothing of spending $45,000 for a Lexus. I drive a gas-miser Geo Metro that I bought for $1,700. So it depends on how we choose to spend our disposable income. With the Lexus, the money drains out of your account and never comes back; with energy projects it goes out and then comes back

As for the stimulus effects of these rebates and tax credits, I’ve learned how that works. I stimulated the economy by putting out $35,000 in cash. Some day, maybe in a couple of months, I’ll get the $18,550 back. And I’ll spend that windfall on installing a geothermal (actually ground source) heating/cooling system to supplement my current gas-steam system.

I was interested in the wind turbines too (why not?) but have decided that wind power doesn’t make sense in my location.

Perhaps the best energy bang for buck is the very unexciting insulation. (I’ll get a $1,500 federal tax credit on that too, based on at least $5,000 in cost.) Just look at how fast the snow melts on your roof. If it melts quickly, you’re REALLY contributing to global warming–you’re heating up your neighborhood instead of your house! Another of my hobbies is to look at rooftops in the snow and see which ones have quickly melted, and which not. Many of the newly constructed townhouses are snow-free within a day or two. I guess buyers don’t notice this feature, since most people buy during the spring.

Maybe I’ll save a lot of money over the long term with my insulation, solar, and geothermal projects. I know that many people cannot afford these fancy wind, solar, and geothermal projects, but almost everyone can afford a few sheets of insulation. The payoff is amazingly fast.

I installed 5 months ago solar panels that are supposed to produce 5 megawatts per year. So far (in autumn and winter months) we’ve generated just under 2 megawatts. So the system seems to be about on target for generation. But 5000 x .15 = $750. So at current rates, it’ll take 22 years for me to get back my investment of $35,000 (minus PA Sunshine rebate of $11,500 plus Federal Tax Credit of $7050) = $16,450. That is, if electricity continues to be charged in my region at .15 per kwh, which it will not.

However, I am not complaining; I just want the figures to be clear for those interested. And I will get an incredibly generous rebate from Pennsylvania. I mean, I’m supposed to get one. It hasn’t shown up yet, and now 5 months after installation, they say they want to inspect the system again. I do imagine I’ll get the rebate some day, and the federal tax credit seems like a sure thing. Note that the 30% is taken AFTER any state rebates, so it’s 30% of $23,500 (=$7050).

And who would have thought that the year I installed solar panels would be a record-breaking snow dump in my area. I’ve shoveled off the panels three times so far. Not that it’s required, I just do that to maximize my yield. One could just wait for it to melt, but I like to see the generation continue on the sunny days after the big snows.

So one would need to be motivated by something other than finances at current electricity rates. And I am. It’s like purchasing a $16,500 science project or toy that has the benefit of clearly helping the environment while slowing paying me back. People (seem to) think nothing of spending $45,000 for a Lexus. I drive a gas-miser Geo Metro that I bought for $1,700. So it depends on how we choose to spend our disposable income. With the Lexus, the money drains out of your account and never comes back; with energy projects it goes out and then comes back

As for the stimulus effects of these rebates and tax credits, I’ve learned how that works. I stimulated the economy by putting out $35,000 in cash. Some day, maybe in a couple of months, I’ll get the $18,550 back. And I’ll spend that windfall on installing a geothermal (actually ground source) heating/cooling system to supplement my current gas-steam system.

I was interested in the wind turbines too (why not?) but have decided that wind power doesn’t make sense in my location.

Perhaps the best energy bang for buck is the very unexciting insulation. (I’ll get a $1,500 federal tax credit on that too, based on at least $5,000 in cost.) Just look at how fast the snow melts on your roof. If it melts quickly, you’re REALLY contributing to global warming–you’re heating up your neighborhood instead of your house! Another of my hobbies is to look at rooftops in the snow and see which ones have quickly melted, and which not. Many of the newly constructed townhouses are snow-free within a day or two. I guess buyers don’t notice this feature, since most people buy during the spring.

Maybe I’ll save a lot of money over the long term with my insulation, solar, and geothermal projects. I know that many people cannot afford these fancy wind, solar, and geothermal projects, but almost everyone can afford a few sheets of insulation. The payoff is amazingly fast.