Hi I'm 4Life and I want to know if solar power really lowers your electricity bill? I also want to know what is cheaper and better for earth, gas or electricity for heating water? And how much would it cost to have solar power for a 6000 sq ft home, not counting heating water, just lights, electronics and AC.
Also what do you think is better, money wise, over time to buy solar panels or to by a hybrid car?
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After you pay off the ridiculous start up cost to buy the equipment, it does. But for a 6k sq ft home, you'd be looking at a 150k dish to fully power your home. Think about how many electric bills that would pay, over how many years. Save your money for now, eventually solar will be worth it. But it just isn't there yet.
ReplyDeleteI've been down this road for very remote property in Colorado Rockies. I eventually settled on l.e.d. lights powered by 6 solar panels, and everything else propane generator powered. Not ideal, but cheaper than full solar by a whole butt load.
Gas is more economical for heating water, but it comes from the ground. However, most electricity also comes from burning coal or oil, and the efficiency is lower if you burn oil to make electricity to heat your water versus directly burning gas.
ReplyDeletesolar power will of course immediately lower your electric bill, but you have to factor in the initial cost, which will be above US$ 50000. Total cost depends on a lot of factors:
location, how much sun you get over the year
how much power you need
grid tie versus battery storage
How long will it operate when there is a long period without sun.
Grid tie allows you to sell excess power to the power company and buy from then when the sun is out. Battery storage means you have to depend on batteries for power when the sun is out. And that could be 3-4 days. That means a large number of expensive batteries and a much larger array.
I have already recovered the cost of the solar water heater by the amount saved.
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