the cost involve in solar energy?

Answer 1

A recent episode of the PBS program This Old House showed a solar panel system being installed on a house in Austin, Texas. The $18,000 system was expected to supply less than half the power needs of the house. Pretty high cost!

Answer 2

Everything I've read to date says that solar heating is not cost effective as a substitute to being "on the grid." However I recently saw where a company had made a breakthrough in manufacturing sheets of solar paneling, and as interest increases we may see prices coming down. Additionally, when you consider cost you should also consider whether your state offers financial assistance to going solar (usually in the form of covering part of installation should you be tied into the grid and sell your surplus back to the power company.)

There are other things you can do that fall under the category as "passive heating" to cut down of energy costs though. One is to provide mass such as tiles or stone flooring near windows that get a lot of sun. The mass will retain the heat longer than say conventional flooring, and will continue to radiate that heat into the evening.

Answer 3

The cost of solar is high, payback time long, a solar heat pump will have better payback period, which use solar heat to drive a absorption heat pump for the heating and cooling.
Here is a company that produce absorption chiller could combine with solar panel:

Answer 4

Expensive...high...keep ignoring these guys.

Consider these numbers, even with the current technology:

* cost of heating/cooling an average house in mid-to-northern parts of US ~$350/month or $4200/year

* let's take as an assumptions this show where cost of solar installation was $18000, and that it covers 50% of your energy. You will also get state Grants, and will be selling electricity back to the company when you don't use it all, which - let's assume - will save 15% of the cost

* consider removing oil/gas heaters, and installing geothermal power. It consumes 50% of electricity. Average cost around $15000.

So - your cost is around $32000 to get completely off the grid. Assuming several thousand dollars in grants, and 15% sold back to utility ($630 per year), you are looking at $5000 savings per year. Not too difficult to calculate that you cover your costs in just over 6 years.

Answer 5

pv is not the answer to The best use of solar energy. pv is only 10% efficient but does send heat back into the atmosphere. Solar electric turbines are 90% efficient and better if heat recovery is used, say to make ethanol cost effective.

Answer 6

The actuall energy is costless, free. But, the technology to harness and use the solar energy is very expesnive to make and study. The solar panels you see are very expensive to make and they are not worth it. They really dont pay for themselves, they just look cool. Actually, they dont even look cool.

Answer 7

Guide To Solar Power - http://SolarPower.siopu.com/?QkW