Started By
Message

re: Getting solar panels today!!

Posted on 5/27/14 at 5:39 pm to
Posted by sprime1
lafayette
Member since May 2008
40 posts
Posted on 5/27/14 at 5:39 pm to
In response to almost everyone, you also have to take into account the price of fuel inflation every year.

My solar panel system research/analysis ended up in me making an excel spreadsheet to show me my anticipated savings over X amount of years.

I used 24,000 KWH of electricity total last year, so about 2,000 KWH per month, costing about $0.10 per KWH, so a normal $200.00 per month for energy.

Purchase a $25,000 solar system, that produces an average 7 KWH per hour, for about 4.5 hours a day(based on historical weather data in louisiana) for a total of 31.5 KWH per day produced. Multiply by 30 equals 945 KWH produced in a month, which is basically cutting your energy bill in half. Just with these numbers you'll pay off your $5,000 out of pocket within 50 months, plus or minus a few months.

Now, when you take into count that energy fuel prices rise 3-4% per year, I'll be paying and additional $1,000.00 in 6 years for my current energy consumption, without solar panels.

I can post additional numbers, maybe even the spreadsheet I created when I get back to the office tomorrow for everyone to see the math, and you can input your own numbers.
Posted by Sho Nuff
Oahu
Member since Feb 2009
11927 posts
Posted on 5/27/14 at 6:53 pm to
quote:

Just with these numbers you'll pay off your $5,000 out of pocket within 50 months, plus or minus a few months.

Sounds about right. What a terrible idea to have solar panels paid off in 4 years and they should last you at least another 25-30.

quote:

Now, when you take into count that energy fuel prices rise 3-4% per year, I'll be paying and additional $1,000.00 in 6 years for my current energy consumption, without solar panels.

Are you saying this in favor or against solar? To me, this makes the decision that much easier. The $100/month those panels saves you today will save you $200/month in 10 years or so when you look at inflation.

Also, you can get bigger than a $25k system. It's just that LA caps the state tax incentives at $25k if I'm not mistaken. The Federal 30% credit goes for however much the system costs. SO you could completely wipe away your bill if you wanted. The ROI would take longer w/o the state tax on the amount over $25k, but as you have illustrated with inflation, you're saving yourself a lot more money as time goes by.

It's why I can't believe everyone that owns a home in LA didn't run out to buy solar panels. Last year 80% of the cost of the system was covered. This year, it's 68%. I wouldn't wait any longer.

Here in Hawaii, they are going to be lowering the state pretty soon. But our rates avg $0.37 or so per kWh and so it's the biggest no-brainer possible here. Lots of sun, high electric rates, and great tax incentives right now.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram