Solar, even with all costs and tax incentives combined, runs about $20,000 for a 6kW system.
Doing the math, and not the Sunny Day Scenario the solar companies tout, it comes to 25 years for payback.
That’s the same payback period that solar has been for over 30 years.
Solar is great for remote locations, but for common residential it’s a financial loser.
Many Fire Departments, mine for instance, will not fight a fire on a dwelling with solar panels, they let it burn and just contain the fire. The issue is both the threat of electrocution and also dangerous smoke/gas from the units themselves.
Each person considering solar has to "do the math" for their individual case. For my 7.2kw system, I essentially had the perfect opportunity.
1. I was already in the process of refinancing my home from a 30yr to a 15yr mortgage.
2. I live in an area with extremely high electricity rates.
3. I live in an area with extremely high insolation.
4. I had a brand new roof facing due south.
So I essentially replaced a $300/mo power bill with a $120/mo addition to my new 15 year mortgage. Day one, I was saving $180/month. That doesn't include rate increases, additional fees for transmission, nuclear plant decommissioning and other stuff that I no longer pay attention to, since they now pay me instead of vice versa.
My effective payback is 10 years, even though my out of pocket costs were reduced by $180/mo on day one.
You said, . . . Doing the math, and not the Sunny Day Scenario the solar companies tout, it comes to 25 years for payback.
If payback is actually 25 years . . . I have heard of some systems where it is 40 years . . . and warranty on the solar system is only 20 years, then there is a big disconnect! How can this make sense?