what is the cost of a solar system sufficient to run my meter backwards?

Question

I am looking for the cost of an alternative solar power system which will allow my home to run independent of the power grid. What is the approximate ROI?

Not looking to remove myself from the grid completely, but to be able to generate enough to have a total billing from the power company close to $0 (not monthly, but over the course of a year)

Answer 1

For my house it is about $50,000! But if you don't use any electricity in your house, even a cheap 1 watt solar panel could slowly run your meter backwards. All that is needed is for the solar panels to make more electricity that you are using. So it all depends on how much electricity you use. But if you even have a meter, you are connected to the grid, so it would be wrong to say that you were independent of the grid. To be truly independent you would need a giant bank of batteries to store up extra electricity from sunny days to use at night and on cloudy days. In that case, you would have no meter to run backwards. See the source.

Answer 2

It is generally not possible to disconnect from the grid and supply your house with power from solar alone and have a positive ROI. That is assuming that you live in a traditional house with moderate heating and cooling needs. There can be a point where you use solar to simply reduce your electrical needs without disconnecting from the grid, and sometimes, the economics will work out over 7 to 15 years. The problem comes when you start looking at battery backup for the 2 or 3 days in a row that will occur. So, if you size the solar panels to run the house, you have to have enough additional capacity to charge batteries for the overnight period. Then, the battery system must be sized even larger to withstand those long periods that will occur. One option would be to have your own generator on hand to compensate for that or for any other unknowns since you are now disconnected from the grid. But, there goes more up-front money that will hamper your ability to recover the cost.

One thing I didn't mention is that if you stay connected to the grid, the need for backup is removed. Also, if you size your system appropriately, you will have several hours each day where you can easily generate more than you use. By being connected to the grid, the utility must buy those kw-hrs back from you. That can help to reduce the time to reach pay-back.
There are so many variables involved in looking into this. You should write down the specifics of your house and electrical needs. Then, provide that to several companies that are now specializing in installation of solar electricity. By looking at several proposals, you should be able to determine if it is right for you. Be sure to notice the the amount of electricity generated per day based on the size panel you are using. That number varies by location and by manipulating that number, a dishonest person could convince you to install something that will not pay back at all. Good Luck.

ADDED:
I hope I didn't sound too negative about the possibilities of you using solar. Your decision to stay connected to the grid is a wise financial decision and allows you to investigate exactly how to achieve the best payoff.
Also, don't get hung up on the goal of getting your usage completely down to 0. While the goal is commendable, remember the law of diminishing returns. You will probably spend as much going from an 80% to a 95% reduction as you did in going from 0 to 80%.
There are websites out there where people that have a financial interest in solar can either assist you in moving forward or have provided additional details and design information to help you.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Have a look what your daily energy usage is on the back of your electricity bill...
When looking at a system eg. 1kw system x4 to get the amount of peak sun hours you will get.
Eg. a 1kw system=4kwh
2kw system =8kwh
3kw=12kwh

these are the price for systems AFTER the $4000 rebate installed with grid fed system.
After the Federal budget couple of weeks ago
we can take an even FURTHER $4000 off...

1kw system =$10,000 -4g=$6,000
2kw system=$20,000 -4g=$16,000
3kw system =$30,000 -4g=$26,000
and so on...

The average house uses about 10-20 kwh a day.
If they provide more than you use then it pushes back the meter
Which means if you have family of 4 using 20Kwh a day
You would be looking $46,000 for a 5kwh system giving you 20 Kwh a day...
Of course there are ways to lower your energy usage by using solar hot water, solar heating and good solar orientated building design especially if you are building otherwise it is rediculous to heat your home and hot water via electricity after getting panels installed as it is much cheaper and more efficent to do these via solar hot water systems, especially evacuated tubes.

Sorry these prices are all in AUD i dont know what Americans or European's are paying.

Answer 4

a lot. but a good idea.