Well, it seems the cost to have solar panels installed has come down significantly with the economy the way its been the past year. I saw the post by Laura on 1/28/09 where she decided not to purchase panels because even after the credits they'd be paying $150 per month on top of their lower energy bills. True, that wouldn't be worth it. But we decided to go with a company whose price after the credit is only $48 per month (yes, for about 5 yrs unless you pay it of sooner), and the amount you start saving on your bill will cover that after the first year. In addition, they'll do the paperwork to get the tax credit for you. Apparently completing the tax forms to get the credit is very complicated and time consuming and they do it as a courtesy to make sure you get it (you have to remember to send that credit money in, though when you get that tax refund!). And that impressed me very much. As well as everything they explained about the future benefits (a great selling point that your home has 40% lower energy bills than others), a transferrable warranty, free installation and no payments for 3 months - so you'll see immediately that you're saving money on gas and hot water heat. They're installing a larger hot water heater (80 gal vs the avg 50 gal) and two solar panels. And depending on your space, your existing hot water heater can be used for backup. There were so many other benefits, I just can't list them all. Seemed like a very good deal- and a good time- to take advantage of this. But I'll update this post to report more on how the whole experience goes after installation and getting the credit and lowered bills.

Link to informative article:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Solar-Panel-Kits---Are-They-For-You?&id=2358098

All I keep hearing is money this, return this, power that. Very recent hundreds of people lost their power here in GA due to weather for DAYS. Restaurants closed for days, threw away thousands of dollars in food, people had to leave their home because of no power for days....so, is there enough money worth the comfort that if power is off for days around you, you'll have the comfort & safety of having power?! For me is worth every dollar!! With the news and government confirming that hackers are in our power system and could shut down our power source (maybe or maybe not but could be a chance )....why wouldn't you want to be off the grid. Maybe is just me but I have been without power for almost a whole day before and not have to worry is amazing. So take aside the LOADS of money you save, now you don't have to worry about being without power. Does that sound too crazy to understand and see...oh yeah and we're benefiting our families future and possibly saving. There's no wrong about it!!

Bob .... I have never thought about how much energy it takes to build a PV solar panel. In the past I just was looking at the financial side. I have 120 watt panels installed on my roof. By the time the energy has been converted by the inverter each panel puts out about 186 Kwh per year. So do you know how many Kwh it takes to build a 120 watt PV panel?

On the financial side I have the advantage of Time Of Use metering. During the summer months I get paid $0.28199 per Kwh sent out to the grid (Monday -Friday Noon to 6P.M.). And it costs only $0.07122 to bet it back at night.

Most of California electric users will be getting or already have Smart Meters (about 10 million customers). These meters will be capable of recording your usage by hour or every 15 minutes and are read remotely. When this project is done, by around the end of 2011, the California Energy Commission will be requesting a new law that will enact dynamic pricing. The objective is to get people to conserve during peak times when power is most expensive.

It's pretty clear that the cost of generating solar power is thus far, greatly over reaching the benefits. Otherwise everyone would be doing it. We just are not hungry enough for it yet. The technology is not ready, the space needed, and amount of sunlight require is far too great. Pushing it too prematurely is a waist of time, energy and money. There are other better more viable, clean sources of energy available in the meantime, and as far as I know, the sun will be there when we are ready. One thing is for certain, the economy and need is plenty enough to drive the technologies forward without Gov't interference. However a Tax credit is a perfect way to stimulate growth without artifice.

In California your H.O.A. must allow you to install solar. My solar panels have been up and running for 5 years. You will find that each state will have different rules and rebates that cover the use of residential solar. In addition to that you will need an appropriate location in orientation to the sun and no shadows. Solar works much better in Southern states. For me the cost of the solar system is best understood by the return on investment. Based on the rules here in California my return on investment is about 9% per year. And I’m sure that Clark would love this because it is a tax free investment.

I wonder if anyone knows if solar panels are something that a Homeowner's Association can ban?

You know for the last 10 years how you are asked to cut back on the use of electricity, buy appliances that save energy, CFL bulbs etc, well Progress Energy, which used to be Florida Power is getting a 24% increase, in power bills coz they are not making enough money, guess the people of Florida did to good of a job in using less energy. So now they will make more money and sell less energy, I knew there was something behind using less energy. Orlando Utilities is getting a 14% increase. Wish I can go 100%, without using any of the electricity.