What's up with that?

Why is it so expensive to put in energy systems such as solar or wind? We are seniors and an investment of tens of thousands of dollars will never show payback in our lifetime. There has to be some way to help people install these things without a huge outlay in cost and that will show an immediate reduction in costs. There may be a saving in non renewable energy right away, but not in my pocket book, I will be paying as much or more for years to come with no reward for it. I don't mind helping to save the environment and ridding us of our dependence on foreign oil, but I don't want to pay for something I don't ever realize any satisfaction from. Now, with this faltering economy only the wealthiest people will be able to afford new energy sources. Fixed incomes in this economy aren't conducive to paying out large sums of money for years to help with this energy crisis. Seniors need to keep as much of their money as they can in case the economy gets even worse and prices get even higher.

Come on now, all you smarter than I people, figure out some way for me and mine to take part in this effort without taking out a mortgage on our homes.