The cost of solar power

I was just being a little snide.

I'm ALL for it. I would LOVE to be electrically independent. I got the room and ability. It is simply a matter economics at this point. It will get better. New tech is popping up all the time. Better production methods and higher conversion factors are also being addressed at this time. I am just waiting for it to be a "no brainer".

I was surprised to find out that Illinois is the #1 nuclear power generating state. 48% generated by nukes.

If I lived out there I would definitely invest in a combo of wind and solar. Seems like Illinois has some pretty nice solar incentives. There's even a nice rebate (on top of the Fed credit) plus NET metering. Could be that if costs gets cheaper the line for the rebate allocation is too far out. Right now 2010 is all allocated. Got to get on the 2011 list.

I'd expect that the numbers would make sense as IL gets more sunshine than we do. What does the back of the napkin calculation come out for Illinois right now for say a 3KW system? I'm getting about 14yrs using this calculator: http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme

BG - thats probably pretty close for a 3kw system. I get 14-16 with operational costs.

Edit: but a 3kw will not provide enough for my full electrical needs. I need to be over double that at current consumption for 100% replacement. And conservation???? Yeah, when the kids are gone maybe, but not a day before. I stand more chance of fighting a horny, rabid, water buffalo.

Dune - with the average cost of Polycrystalline silicon cell type panels a 175 watt panel is $800-$1000 bucks. As you know (with your background) they simply don't average 175 watts (it is very typical to use an 80% value of output). It will take 20 or more of these panels to make a 3kw array. Again - about $20,000 in initial outlay.

At current electric prices - thats a full 15 years of buying electricity.

Is it possible to find a local electrician that is willing to supervise/permit and be on hand for the inspection for a reasonable fee?

The calculator shows a 14.6yr payback for a 4.5KW system installed just south of Chicago. As far as getting the kids to conserve, do they get an allowance? Take waste out of it if they do. My boys are grown, and still need some reminders, but they are pretty good. If they are going to survive in the future, learning to conserve and live within one's means could be one of the better lessons you can pass on to them.

Have you checked current pricing? Look at the 216w Sharps for instance.
http://www.affordable-solar.com/solar.panels.htm
http://www.ecodirect.com/Sharp-Solar-Panels-s/210.htm
http://www.firemountainsolar.com/

A 21 yr old girl with a 3 and 2 year old. No allowance. Just a lot of eye rolling. ABSOLUTELY NO understanding of how the world turns. I got there "too late" if ya know what I mean.

Naaa, just a couple of my sheds. A 40x60 and a 52x74. I didn't even count the couple of small ones OR the house.

You can clearly see the small one (white) and the big one is behind the tree and in the background. This is looking at the backside of the sheds.

4 tractors, plow jeep, big generator, yard sprayers, 2 trailers, various wood and building materials, packard parts and engines, a couple of toy cars, shop (both metal and wood), 4 garden tractors, log splitter,general storage, etc. lots of other stuff. But I ain't one of them pile guys. I hate seeing piles, thats why I have to have sqft. EVERYTHING is operational and easily accessible. It gets used or it goes.

I understand, but there really isn't alot of "junk" left. Basically anything in the buildings could be rolled out to the side of the road with a "For Sale" sign and be very marketable. And I'm only 41 so hopefully I have a while left to play with the stuff.


Full disclosure: this was one of the original "family farms" it has been in my family since 1896. I went through the "junk" stage about 7 years ago (when I bought it) and kept the gems.

Nope - not in my family's name anyhow. The land was sold to two LONG time neighbors. We had boys out from Chicago that wanted to buy it, but my father told them to go pound sand (even though they were offering quite a bit more cash).