Historical electricity prices

[97prizm]

I consider that poor advice. Here's why:
My solar investment took risk out of the equation. The investment is way past break even point; it fuels my house (blare the AC in summer) and fuels an EV ($125+ per month). The ROI has far exceeded my expectations. My electricity costs, in a high energy cost area, will continue to be small.

Beyond that, the returns on my portfolio are pretty stout. You might be surprised at the dividends alone.

Putting all your eggs in one basket is not my strategy. My primary strategy was having a place to live in a great area, free and clear, with minimal recurring costs, for the long run. I did everything while I was working. That's insurance against market fluctuations.

The initial solar investment, in the big scheme of things, was peanuts. The deal was too good to turn down. The tax man even helped... All in, sometimes you get lucky. By the way, there's a lotta sun right now. My average bill, with all costs, is probably more like $30. I don't bother to pay attention; no reason.

What's the lifespan of your solar panels? Or warranty? I'd be curious as they don't last forever.

 

[NiwradND]

Summer of 2028...Just peachy... Meanwhile nobody wants solar farms, battery storage, wind turbine farms in their " backyard". Gotta replace the coal fired generation with something ?!?! Idiots... Just like the Town I live in in Westchester County, NY. They started building a solar farm, got most of the panels in place. and the Town Board pulled the permit because of battery storage. Meanwhile, they cry at the high utility rates. More idiots.

Keep the coal fired generators as they spent millions of dollars cleaning them up with scrubbers. A lot has to due with the green new deal that is a hoax. Idiots!

 

[JeffKeryk]

What's the lifespan of your solar panels? Or warranty? I'd be curious as they don't last forever.

The warranty was 20 years as I recall. The real problem I have is, the install company is out of business. NEM3 killed all the small solar companies. My understanding is, the panels, etc are covered by the manufacturer, but who will do the work? I asked a local major company, Cinnamon Solar, and they said they expect to absorb a lot of the demand.

The useful life span is supposed to be 25-30 years; afterward efficiency may suffer. Hopefully by then we have even better energy solutions. I love my solar; sometimes you get lucky.

 

[97prizm]

The warranty was 20 years as I recall. The real problem I have is, the install company is out of business. NEM3 killed all the small solar companies. My understanding is, the panels, etc are covered by the manufacturer, but who will do the work? I asked a local major company, Cinnamon Solar, and they said they expect to absorb a lot of the demand.

The useful life span is supposed to be 25-30 years; afterward efficiency may suffer. Hopefully by then we have even better energy solutions. I love my solar; sometimes you get lucky.

Right now 30 percent efficiency is the highest homeowners can get. It's an interesting technology.
"
Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells. These are a two-layer "multi-junction" consumer option.

• They layer a synthetic perovskite crystal on top of a standard silicon cell.
• They commercially hit around 30% efficiency, providing the highest watt-per-square-foot yield available to homeowners." There are military grade solar panels that are a six-layer design that capture multiple wavelengths and those are 39.5 to 40 percent efficient. These have been used on satellites and military equipment. I'd wager they're not cheap. My parents had a company come out and install a new furnace and A/C fiveish years ago. They're not in business any longer and alot of companies wouldn't touch it.