Solar Power 0, Electricy Meters 1

As if I need another project... but solar power is so compelling a mirage that I can not resist. Are solar panels viable in New England?

The Theroretical Approach

1. each panel is about $5 per watt
2. Exposure: 745 hours of output per year *
3. panel alignment efficiency: 80% (panel azi 235, and tilt 45) **
4. 1W panel output: 0.8 x 745 watthours per year (approx 10c)
5. payback period approx 50 years.

Now, if only I can get the panels to track the sun (a doubling of efficency) and if the government allows me a refund of 50% of my investment then the payback is closer to 12 years - but then I really have to buy a grid tied inverter to make sense and make my house look like a science project.

The Empiricle Approach

So, to get started, I bought 2 x 100W Kyocera panels and am inserting them into skylight frames so that they look the part (I haven't even told the wife). I have a 200W inverter and will use the juice to heat a secondary water tank that feeds the real hot water tank. I will meter the output and expect to get $20 of electrons per year. Costs are $1000 for the panels, $500 installation, $200 water tank... payback 85 years. If only I could improve the climate or move to Arizona?

Bottom Line

Saving the planet is a great pastime - makes you feel good and gives you lots to talk about at parties but solar panels are not viable when you live in New England (or Old). If you are looking for a planet saving project, I suggest that you buy a electricity monitoring device that allows you to see your realtime usage from your power company. Our whole family now sees the actual usage on a small wireless device (like a wireless thermometer) and we have reduced our consumption by almost 10% already. Based on our $200 per month electricity bill - it would take a roof-full of solar panels and a $20k investment to provide as much value. The meters are about $130 with a payback of about 6 months. And it gives you something to talk to the kids about at mealtimes. "No one is going anywhere until we get below 1kW!"

* Based on a big local solar project in the area (115kW panels yielded 85MW in 2006)
** recommended settings are 180 deg and 40 deg (see link above)