easy solar

There's a guy and his wife who live in central Kansas with his wife. They bought a missile silo, some twenty years ago and converted it into living space and power it with solar (and I think wind). According to articles that get published every now and then they got their money back, according to them, in 7 years.

I also knew a guy who has a farm out West of here who had a wind turbine put up that runs into the grid as opposed to powering his house. With the credits he said he got his money back in 2 years, I believe.

Ill take .... What is the Sun for 600.
The sooner we get back to natural energy instesd of profitable energy we will be doing great. Im currently buying a house in missouri. I plan to changebto solar power hopefully next year.

Where the world really fucked up was by allowing Edison to crush Tesla’s wireless power grid invention. As far as solar goes, it’s all about storage. We aren’t there yet, but Elon Musk is getting closer to a true super battery. If they can perfect that it’s going to change the game big time. Originally Posted by BirdogKC60

Couple that battery tech with Tesla solar roof tiles/shingles. Even with that, not sure if you will ever break even with the cost of the system/install.

Couple that battery tech with Tesla solar roof tiles/shingles. Even with that, not sure if you will ever break even with the cost of the system/install. Originally Posted by royamcr

The whole issue is energy storage, whether batteries, heat storage or whatever.

Tesla's solar tiles still need a lot of work.

roy is correct. The break even on costs is the problem.
Either the energy storage has to improve, the install cost has to drop, or both. In the last 4 months I've showed two clients that the numbers just don't work. Even with tax credits.

Currently the only thing that works/pays off is when installed as part of new construction which also requires the rest of the bldg to be super efficient. And that barely works. Rehab installs just don't make the numbers.

The whole issue is energy storage, whether batteries, heat storage or whatever.

Tesla's solar tiles still need a lot of work.

roy is correct. The break even on costs is the problem.
Either the energy storage has to improve, the install cost has to drop, or both. In the last 4 months I've showed two clients that the numbers just don't work. Even with tax credits.

Currently the only thing that works/pays off is when installed as part of new construction which also requires the rest of the bldg to be super efficient. And that barely works. Rehab installs just don't make the numbers. Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter

A lot of cost analysis also don't adequately include cost of maintenance of the Solar system, making them even more uneconomical. The smart money in this area is to steer clear of solar.

A lot of cost analysis also don't adequately include cost of maintenance of the Solar system, making them even more uneconomical. The smart money in this area is to steer clear of solar. Originally Posted by Fsn57

Exactly.
Both of the proposals I shot down did not include parts replacements at the 10 and 15 yr points. Opps.
Again as part of a new bldg construction, maybe, but rarely residential.

I think the only way to justify it right now is peer into the future 10 to 20 years out. Will rising powers costs eventually make it feasible? In 10 to 15 years will replacement equipment be cheaper? Will the investment add value to the property resale price?

I think the only way to justify it right now is peer into the future 10 to 20 years out. Will rising powers costs eventually make it feasible? In 10 to 15 years will replacement equipment be cheaper? Will the investment add value to the property resale price? Originally Posted by royamcr

At that point its just speculation without any firm foundation.

It's a valid conjecture.
10/15 years ago who would have thought that today's price of natural gas would be getting coal and nuke plants shut down.

Well I still don't think solar will be feasible. The common man doesn't have the space on their small lots. The price is prohibitive to install. If the price drops, they probably can't afford to maintain them.
Insulate properly. More efficient windows and doors. If you can afford more efficient hvac equipment, appliances and LED lighting, use it. Still these come at a cost and parts as we all know can eat what you have saved.
Earth contact will be the most common sense, if you are determined to save energy. The earth will protect most of the house from the elements. In ground heat pumps can also be added. Yes, these can be a pain in the ass but when they work, they are great.
Other than that, change your lifestyle. Keep the a/c up higher and the heat lower. Don't stay up late, so no lights are on.