this argument kind of annoys me.
"yeah, but how long before you see a return on investment?"
how about instantly?
this is what we did:
1) calculated our monthly electricity payment: $160 or so a month.
2) priced out solar to push our payment to net-zero-ish: the savings really start multiplying once you get down into the regulated tiers.
3) replaced our electricity bill with a solar installation loan.
what did we get in return?
instant insulation from rate hikes:
http://business.time.com/2011/12/16/plugged-in-then-pay-up-e...
instant equity on our house.
oh, and look! i can now have a solar-powered car!
but yeah, if i happen to still live in this house in 15 years, sure, no electricity bill. and, i'm sure somewhere along the line i'll end up "making all my money back".
"yeah, but how long before you see a return on investment?"
how about instantly?
this is what we did:
1) calculated our monthly electricity payment: $160 or so a month.
2) priced out solar to push our payment to net-zero-ish: the savings really start multiplying once you get down into the regulated tiers.
3) replaced our electricity bill with a solar installation loan.
what did we get in return?
instant insulation from rate hikes: http://business.time.com/2011/12/16/plugged-in-then-pay-up-e...
instant equity on our house.
oh, and look! i can now have a solar-powered car!
but yeah, if i happen to still live in this house in 15 years, sure, no electricity bill. and, i'm sure somewhere along the line i'll end up "making all my money back".