Economic prospects for solar photovoltaic power

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

I looked at the rebates and tax credits for Texas and the system might be nearly free.

Cool. Seriously.

It's good that the Government subsidize Solar, much like they do burning carbon, particularly in warm places. Here in Binshire there's a high correlation between noon and heavy draw. Air-conditioning, anyone?

[VBCurtis]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

So, it looks like solar panels might get as cheap as 24 cents per watt by the end of the year.

$0.24/w * 5000 = $1200
That is the size of a nice home system.
Let's set the of the other hardware (inverters, etc.) and add just as much for the install labour. That is $3600.

I looked at the rebates and tax credits for Texas and the system might be nearly free.

Summer 2016 I installed a 7.3kW system on my house. Non-panel costs were just over $10,000. Your estimate of $2400 for these costs is more than a bit optimistic, though my system was large enough to require a new 200-amp electrical panel (house originally had 100); perhaps $1/watt in install and inverter costs is possible with a competitive/cheap contractor.

[kladner]

No sarcasm intended. This discussion is well worth watching.I feel the same way about Air Squirrels' mentions of a solar powered data center.

[M344587487]

Originally Posted by VBCurtis

Summer 2016 I installed a 7.3kW system on my house. Non-panel costs were just over $10,000. Your estimate of $2400 for these costs is more than a bit optimistic, though my system was large enough to require a new 200-amp electrical panel (house originally had 100); perhaps $1/watt in install and inverter costs is possible with a competitive/cheap contractor.

Small scale the costs are much worse for panels, and much better for non-panel costs (I'm talking around a kilowatt or less, you can possibly get away with as little as a DIY lead-acid bank and inverters depending on what you're doing). I'm inclined to believe that the 24 cents per watt figure is the raw cost of a fraction of a cell before it's been packaged as a panel, even taking into account a big installation that seems way too low for the UK at least. What may I ask was the cost per watt of your big installation for just the panels, ignoring all other costs? I'm assuming America before tax? I'm always curious as figures I find online always seem way off to what I see. My UK small scale figures are ~$1.20/watt for panels, large scale I have no experience with but assume they must be much cheaper.

[VBCurtis]

The system was nearly 50-50 panel vs non panel costs, total expense before USA government kickbacks $21000. Contract was signed Feb 2016.

26 panels, 7300 watts rated. I don't recall the brand nor exact rating. $10,200 panel cost.

[M344587487]

Originally Posted by VBCurtis

The system was nearly 50-50 panel vs non panel costs, total expense before USA government kickbacks $21000. Contract was signed Feb 2016.

26 panels, 7300 watts rated. I don't recall the brand nor exact rating. $10,200 panel cost.

Thank you. It's surprising my small scale figures are anywhere near competitive, although we're talking cheap brands and no doubt less efficient or durable compared to your proper solution (honestly I wouldn't be surprised if my figures are peak and yours are average or something like that, I've never had need to measure).