Loren49
Veteran Member
Photovoltaics in the northeast is a feel good hobby at best, if you already have public powerlines to your place. I don't care how many people put up forcasted projections. The great technological breakthrough the makers were hoping for back in the 80's never happened. The efficiency still sucks <20%. Then you have all your losse converting storing DC to AC . PR press can't wait up for tech breakthroughs, so everyone in the business has been/ still is still talking it up, even though it can't compete cost wise or convience. If you are in a dry area somewhat close to the equator,solar becomes feasable, but in down-east Maine... sorry. You have to cook the books to make it look cheaper than the grid. Never mind no power during a snow storm, don't forget to go out and clean them off afterwards. Efficiency loss over time? Yup you bet. Look at your cars paint job, or the headlght covers. Look in your rain gutters. Personally, just the thought of mothering a flock of batteries at my house would be a deal breaker by itself. Dealing with a room full of batteries sucks.What's wrong with this one- oh- bad cell, Hey what's that smell, ohh- over charging- just venting.
If you don't have grid power available, then that's a different story.
I've dealt with batteries and solar panels for 30 years and have not had a battery fail early. The panels are vertical for the winter so snow accumulation is not a problem but darkness is. What's your experience? I haven't had to deal with power company for 30 years. Its obvious that the payback will be quicker in an area with more unobstructed sun or areas with high electricity costs.
A true comparison to other energy sources would be a very complex challenge that would include all internal and external present and future costs.
Looks like nearly all states and the Fed offer incentives. It must not be so obvious to them.
http://www.solar-estimate.org/index...solar-incentives&subpage=&external_estimator=
Loren