Note: that is a 9.1 year payback. Most solar panels from the 1970s are still working. So over the life of the panels that should save them over 6 million. Calculate how many doctors that is!
Solar irradiance in areas is VERY WELL mapped out and understood using measured data from 30 plus years.
Honestly, I don’t believe any of the numbers in the story. It indicates $300k is 8% of their use...meaning this hospital spends $10k per day for electricity, which is impossible. So the payback period is suspect, IMHO.
And, frankly, after reading stories on multiple solar projects, one thing is ALWAYS true - they over-project how much energy they will produce. Every single time. So again, I an suspect of the numbers.
The story always throws in a line about building a 7 ft fence - given the scale of this thing, that alone is going to cost near a million dollars....and isn’t included in the payback calculation.
Nor is the opportunity cost of the money, which is surely borrowed.
And the panels themselves may ‘last’...but they will have to be cleaned. And, these are the type that move with the sun to gain better efficiency - frankly an electric motor exposed to the elements will be lucky to survive a decade.
And we haven’t even begun to think about the equipment that stores and converts the power to ac....another item for which ten years is probably a lifetime.
The market tells me these won’t save the VA any money. If they really did save money, the private company I work for would put these up on the roof...instead we have a government agency doing it.