Rooftop solar is now cheaper than the grid in 42 American cities

[grahamhgreen]

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/rooftop-solar-is-now-cheaper-than-the-grid-in-42-american-cities/352799/

New numbers show solar-generated electricity is ready for head-on competition with utility-delivered electricity.

Nearly 21 million single-family homeowners in 42 of the 50 biggest U.S. cities can now expect to pay less for electricity from solar than for electricity they buy from their utility. In fact, the numbers show money spent on a residential solar system earns a better return than investing in Standard and Poor’s 500 index fund.

“Solar is now not just an option for the rich, but a real opportunity for anyone looking to take greater control over their monthly utility bills and make a long-term, relatively low-risk investment,” explains "Going Solar in America: Ranking Solar’s Value to Consumers in America’s Largest Cities," a new study from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center.

The information gap

To breach the “clear information gap” between the popular presumption that solar energy is an expensive indulgence and the new reality that it is a competitively priced source of electricity, the paper uses a range of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) System Advisor Model (SAM) parameters and other factors to calculate rankings. The list for the top 50 solar cities was based on:

[roody]

1. I've had a nine panel system

for 13 years. No electric bill because of the drought. I'd rather have rain.

[JDPriestly]

3. Yes. But we don't get to choose unless you decide to move.

You can spend the money you save on the electric bill on buying bottled water. (I'm trying to joke. I'm in Southern California where it is "raining" now. We may get a half an inch. The "rain" is very slow.)

[roody]

13. Now I'm having a rainwater catchment system

put in.

[JDPriestly]

15. I have buckets placed strategically in my yard. Lots of them.

[nikto]

2. Those Hippies may have been filthy...

But they were right.








Hmmmm...

Wonder if they're right about anything else?

Could Peace actually be better than War?


Gosh,
I wonder.

[grahamhgreen]

4. F*ckin' hippies! And they legalized weed too! Next, give peace a chance? OMG we're doooooomed!

[calimary]

6. Yes. We were right!

We called it! Believed if enough of us took the plunge, at first, then it would start to become more of a realistic and competitive option for the rest of us.

More do it, more demand for it, a few more manufacturers and suppliers start waking up about it, more options start becoming available for consumers, demand increases, more companies decide to get into the business, more competition on their end, prices start to go down for our end, and energy savings start to become a wee bit more noticeable and then a wee bit MORE noticeable - and pretty soon, you realize that you're starting to talk a whole new ballgame!







Gee... kinda makes you wonder what ELSE we were right about...

[Kablooie]

5. That's until the Kochs get their way.

they are proposing a special tax on solar panels.
Yep. Finally a new tax they approve of.
They are just sweethearts aren't they?

I dread the day their money buys them the Congress and the presidency.
It may happen before long. With each election they seem to gain influence.

[calimary]

7. It will DEFINITELY happen if too many of us get discouraged and stay home on Election Day.

THAT'S how you let the koch brothers win. You LET them win that way. Without even a fight. Once again, they don't even have to get their hands dirty.

Um.... VOTING, anyone?????

THERE ARE MORE OF US. Yeah, okay, they have all the money. But WE have all the NUMBERS. The NUMBERS OF VOTERS. And WE trump them EVERY TIME...

IF WE JUST SHOW THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!

[Javaman]

8. I've had my array for just over 2 years...

and it's been wonderful.

haven't paid a dime in electricity since.

[grahamhgreen]

11. What was the total cost?

[Javaman]

14. the upfront price was 18k BUT...

after federal and state rebates, it came down to 7400K out of pocket, then I had a 2400 tax deduction.

we have a small house 1300 sq ft. and the array is just over 1k. However, the company we went with (Circular Energy out of San Antonio) made sure, via a years worth of our electric bills that the panels would cover all our electrical costs even during peak months.

[grahamhgreen]

16. Fantastic. That's like a 5 year payout to free electricity!

[Javaman]

18. we were able to pay out of pocket, but there were interest free loans available...

It's very doable.

before a friend of mine got hers installed, I thought it was way beyond my ability to pay.

but there are still rebates available.

People should take advantage of it.

[KamaAina]

9. Well, ALEC better hurry up and make it illegal, then!

[ErikJ]

10. k n r

[Omaha Steve]

12. K&R!

[marions ghost]

17. Yes!

[kiva]

19. Would love to do it,

but have a flat roof and neither of the companies I've talked to will do a flat roofed residence

[roody]

20. Do you have room in the yard?

[kiva]

21. Unfortunately not,

at least not without taking down several trees.