Hi everyone, It's nice to see so many interested in solar power! As one of the technical consultants on the Real Goods team, the question of solar payback arises daily.
Solar payback varies widely state-by-state. Many factors go into determining the payback period including electricity rates, rebates, incentives, tax credits and whether or not your local utility uses time-of-use metering or a tiered rate system.
States like California, Colorado, New Jersey and New York can expect shorter (8 to 10 year) payback periods for solar. This is due to Renewable Portfolio Standards passed by each state mandating a certain percentage of renewable power by a certain date, high electricity rates and substantial rebates for system costs.
To learn more about solar, wind and hydro power, check out the below sites:
www.homepower.com Great articles and info on everything solar, wind and hydro
Solar:
www.dsireusa.org Federal, state and local rebates and tax credits
www.findsolar.com Local installer search engine
www.pvwatts.org/ Solar potential in your area
Wind:
www.windenergy.com Southwest Windpower turbine information
www.awea.org National wind association
http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp Wind potential in your area
Our website illustrates California's and Colorado's average electricity rates and the expected average payback.
http://www.realgoodssolar.com/
Edited by: Jenerator on Mar 28, 2007 2:44:26 PM
