How much do solar panel roofs save on your electricity bill?

Question

I saw some homes where their entire roof was covered with solar panels. How much can you save on your electricity bill with this?

Answer 1

The savings would depend on a variety of factors. If you live in the Southwestern U.S. you can actually MAKE money by selling surplus power back to the power company, i.e.: your meter will run backwards.

The initial cost is what often stops most people from installing them, it can be upwards of $10,000 or more. For most other areas you'll probably break even with the power company.

They're great on hot sunny days in that you can keep your house very cool during the day and it won't cost you anything in electricity. At night however do remember that you'll be getting power off the grid.

Answer 2

I sell and have solar panels. It depends on where you live if you can make money with solar electric. However, If you are grid tied there is no way I know of to ever pay off your system. As long as it is grid tied you will pay for the rest of your life. Solar panels may last 20 to 40 years but you will replace the inverter and meter from time to time. You will have damage to the panels and replace them from time to time as well. Then there is the Net Metering charge that never ends. There is the point of use charge and local fees and taxes. So you will always for the rest of your life have an electric bill.
I forgot one part. You can only sell back what you used and no more. Means that any extra electric you make you give to the gird for free and stil pay the fees and taxes. Bills for life.

Off grid solar or stand alone is a better deal. You replace the batteries every 10 years or so. But if you add up $33 per month in fees for 10 years of battery life $3,960. I think I could replace the batteries for maybe $2000 every 10 years and put $1,960 in my pocket.

Plus when the electric goes out and you are grid tied you have no power. If it goes out and you are an off grid system you have lights when on one else does.

Add a wind mill and you taken care of.

That is my way of seeing it..

Answer 3

The most barely detectable door and/or window crack can wind up generating costly A/C and/or heating bills. Go over these areas carefully. Inexpensive white calk or other color sealants can cover these areas with minimal, if any, defacing. "Eco-friendly" light bulbs, quite popular and in stock at most "do it yourself" or retail stores also can be of help here. If you have a central air / heat pump unit: change or clean filters every 30 days and make sure high weeds or grass are clear of the outside compressor unit; check the grill area also insuring it too is clear of any clogging or obstruction. Maintain an average inside home temperature of 75 degrees. Many homeowners swear using the "pink fiberglass" insulation around the hot water heater unit can be a huge energy saver. If you choose to do this--do so with a CAREFUL degree of common sense: make sure the insulation doesn't come near the pilot lighting or electrical component of the heater unit or hampers the operation of the water heater. And it's always a good idea every six months to clean sediment out from the heater. Get the safety instructions on how to do this and follow them carefully. Setting your PC and monitor both to "sleep" modes also can save energy. And it's a pain in the.....well....you know where....but it's a true energy saver: Unplug TV sets when no longer used for the evening. Yes: even when turned off, a TV and/or stereo set STILL drains electricity. Solar panels CAN save some on a home's utility usage, but constant weather exposure ( wind, snow, hail and yes.....even sun) can cause wear and tear on them---and they aren't cheap to repair or replace. Tree shade is another novel approach---until a severe storm, hurricane or tornado brings that tree crashing on your roof, making a "natural" skylight that can prove very costly to repair. Oh yeah....almost forgot....turn off that light when not in use.

Answer 4

Create Home Solar Power - http://Solar.eudko.com/?SdU

Answer 5

It will cost a lot,but the saveing will be worth it in the long run.