Affordable Solar Power

I have been doing a lot research on solar systems and solar panels and have come up with some numbers that are a start for making solar power available to all classes of people. There are big tax breaks that are available as well, but I don't have all the specifics. The quotes I have do not include installation, shipping or hardware needed. I'm still looking into working with companies to sell products at wholesale, the problem I run into is they want me to sell their product at a fixed rate they choose for me. I don't want that because it makes it a moot point. I would like to have the lowest prices available, but so far I haven't met that goal. I can put systems together for far less than most companies want for their systems and that's a start. It looks like a grid tie system of 3kw of solar panels would run about $11,200.00 as it stands. This would not include battery backup. If anyone knows a way to get this price down so solar businesses can crop up everywhere please share your thoughts so we have a solar powered country. I want solar panels as common as home computers. If all structures had solar panels, there would be little or no draw on the power grid. There would be such a surplus of energy it would be unreal. Lets work together and make this happen. This is my goal and I will spend the rest of my life trying to accomplish it if I must. It's a win for everyone because this would open up more jobs than what could be filled. This would add value to all houses and help the housing market. When full electric cars hit the market, there will be power for them. Let the discussion begin!

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Busha on February 23, 2009 at 10:25pm: The company I worked for would be happy to have you as a customer! However, the lack of funding is a problem. No, I'm not asking for you to fund us, just letting you know that we are out there, frustrated as you are and not giving up. Check out our website http://www.solaroadtechnologies.com We would love to be part of the solution.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelly Crosby on February 25, 2009 at 5:08am: We called and spoke to someone at your company and your not in production yet...he said maybe summer. If this is affordable for the homeowner - we're in...

Now - how do you get your hands on some of that stimulus...lol.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mom D on March 5, 2009 at 7:44pm: I'd love to put solar and wind on my house. I have been reading everything I can on this since 1987. And after the head of the local utility here said that he didn't care if "everyone went solar" because we would all be disappointed in what the power companies pay us for "our" power, I then said, "Yeah, but we won't be PAYING you." He basically said that the power companies had too many other customers to care!!!

For no other reason than that statement, I think EVERYONE should concentrate on proving to them that we can go on without them!

I used to take the Public Service Commission hearings as a reporter; and as soon as ONE utility gets a raise, they put in for another raise THE NEXT DAY! For what they pay the lawyers, they wouldn't have to ask for a raise!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie Busha on March 6, 2009 at 7:38am: There was a big meeting yesterday (hopefully funding came through). If we get the funding, we will be starting the pilot program at Towson University (hopefully by the end of April) and be able to go into full production very soon. My fingers are crossed.
I did contact my representatives about getting some of that stimulus $$. I've heard back from one out of four (and that was a form letter). I may have to get more in their face about it. But I did hear from the boss that the state has been calling and asking about our products. That can't be bad, can it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie Busha on March 26, 2009 at 5:28pm: Another company that wanted to take over the solar company I worked for. Needless to say, funding didn't come through. HOWEVER, we have the piliot program up and running (or so I'm told) at Towson University. There is a demo in April with investors present. Keep your fingers crossed. Otherwise, I may have to go to Washington and smack some sense into people. Anyone want to start a "Julie's bail fund" collection?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by William "Leland" Luster on March 6, 2009 at 8:58pm: Dear Pickens Friends; A new networking resource has just been created so you may further broadcast your technology information at [www.lelandcewns.ning.com] please utilize as you wish. Respectfully your servant, William "Leland" Luster/Las Vegas,Nev./03-06-2009; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Kopper on March 24, 2009 at 11:40am: The optimum way to purchase solar would be as part of a mortgage, initially with a new home, or with a remodel/second mortgage or a refinance. "The best of the best" would to purchase a new home with solar and geothermal installed.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by greg lampert on March 27, 2009 at 4:48pm: Well Paul,
You are right and no matter how you cut the watts it really makes no sense unless you are young enough and want to stay in the same home long enough to get the benefit of solar power because it cost so much money. Anyone who is not in foreclosure owes more than their house is worth and is just getting by with the way wages are right now. Most people can't afford a new car or anything that may put them over the edge so nobody wants to borrow money in fear they may not make it. First time home buyers are the only ones with a chance to afford solar homes and to kick start the economy. The problem is the economy is not growing and there is a slow population of first time home buyers. The government may have saved money by putting solar panels on homes and businesses rather than try to build a smart grid with huge transmission lines to carry all the green power. Idaho Power wants to run a 500 K.V. power line near my home and everyone is protesting this power line and for good reason. Politics and greed will kill our country and if you think I'm wrong, look at the national debt clock and you will find we are one million dollars in debt every 6 seconds. Our country is eleven trillion in debt ant the interest alone will make it 14 trillion by 2010. It is at this point out of control and the budget can't be balanced no matter how hard you try. The debt will get bigger as people sew the government for putting transmission towers and lines on their farm land. The government never gets it right and I will not get my business started. I can't borrow money and I don't qualify for a grant because only huge businesses qualify for that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Kopper on March 25, 2009 at 5:58am: Depending on your system, six squares (600 square feet) of PV will cost the installer about $50,000 ( $60-75,00 to you). Depending too on your location and sunshine quotient, you'll need 4-6 squares for a 2,100 sq. ft. home. Cost is best rolled into either a new mortgage, or a second. A geothermal unit is about $12-15,000 more than a gas one. Again, depending on your usage, devide you monthly bill into the amount and get your pay back period. Same financing should be used.

In new construuction, its is best. I'll only build/develope homes with these combinations. I also use ccSPF for exterior insulation (closed cell Spray Poly-Flouride) for about an R value of 6.6 per inch. NOTHING comes closer, or is easier to install. My homes are tight, clean and effecient, 100% green from the beginning, all LEEDS gold or platinum.

Paul Kopper
Kuyper Inwestment Assoc., LLC

($60-75,000 to you). Again, depending on your sunshine availability, you'll use 4-6 squares; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom Hackett on March 28, 2009 at 5:04am: Greg, I can answer some of these questions for you. We buy solar panels mono/poly, which is about $3 per watt, .amorphorous which is $2.50 per watt CIF CA. I have been installing small 24V wind generators for about $5 per watt completely installed. My goal is to produce electrcity the same or cheaper than traditional carbon means. We have approximately 250KW of orders present. We also have a paint that retains UV during the day and will run a solar panel at night for about 3 hours. This should really help with sun hours per day. We have to do some more experimenting. Let me know how I can help. The pickens plan is a super start to our independent energy goals. We need to all join in!

Tom Hackett; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by sosolar on April 21, 2009 at 10:40pm: nanotechnology, in the solar electric collection field. in home applications and business settings. the price will get driven down yet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 24, 2009 at 1:07pm: There's an awful lot of talk, but we don't hear much from folks that have actually bought.

Would someone that has actually installed a system care to comment?; ▶ Reply to This