Subj : Re: Keep cool USA and European folks
To   : Arelor
From : Gamgee
Date : Mon Jul 17 2023 22:02:00

-=> Arelor wrote to Gamgee <=-

 > But...but...but...  The real question is:  How much did your friend pay
 > for the solar, and how long will it take to recover that cost (by
 > savings on the utility bill)?
 >
 > Full disclosure:  I already know the answer.  ;-)

 Ar> Actually, modern solar may actually be able to recoup costs
 Ar> before you need bigmaintenance expenses, but you do need a badass
 Ar> apocalypse-class setup for it tobe really worth it.

 Ar> A lot of people in Spain invested in 3k EUR solar arrays without
 Ar> battery packs.When you add up the power they produce for you and
 Ar> the discount money you get by selling surpluss power to the grid,
 Ar> I think an average house here may save 50% of its power bill tops
 Ar> during the first years, and only in favorable months.

I can't speak much to how things are in Spain.  But here in the US, at 
least here in Florida, I have to repel the solar salesmen from my front 
porch a couple of times a month.  The costs for getting enough solar to 
be useful here is *FAR* higher than what you are saying (3K EUR).  On 
the order of TEN TIMES that, at least.  My power bill in the summer 
(which is long and hot here in Florida) probably averages around $300/mo 
USD.  Even if I saved 50% (which is VERY unlikely), that $150/mo would 
come to $1800/year savings.  It would take about 20 years at that rate, 
to pay off the initial cost, probably 25 years considering interest.  At 
that point (or sooner) the solar cells are nearly useless and must be 
replaced, so I have saved/gained nothing.  More likely I have lost a 
significant amount of money.  That's the reality, at least here.

 Ar> If your house uses electricity for either heating or air
 Ar> conditioning, I don't think a 3k EUR solar array is gonna make a
 Ar> dent in your power bill, though. You will save some money and
 Ar> will recoup your expenses in about 10 years, but the total
 Ar> savings would be a bit pitiful compared to your total
 Ar> consumption.

See above.  This is orders of magnitude different where I am.

Bottom line is that until the panels/cells get MUCH better, and the cost 
comes down a lot, solar is a losing proposition around here.


.... Behind every great man is an amazed mother-in-law!
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