Henry Dover answers:

They are coming down and more states are helping with rebates. My break even time frame is about 6 years for my system, it would have been closer to 10 without the rebates. If you consider my system is guaranteed for 25 years, I’ll be getting 19 years of free energy and the electric rates go up at least 5% annually.

There is anothe way to make it more affordable. Several solar companies are offering lease options. Most lease rates are based on your current electric rate. With no up front costs you lock in your electric rate for 20 years.

Henry Dover answers:

A single solar panel with 12V electric output costs between $100-250 to buy or build. Most of these are the portable variety (which cost less) and is a good way to reduce dependence on your utility company and generate your own electricity.

A residential solar panel mounted on rooftops costs more — like the 185-watt Mitsubishi panel which costs $1020. But with states like CA, MA, IL, AZ (and a lot others) giving you tax incentives up to 30% the installation cost, the reasons for going green are becoming more and more better.

Henry Dover answers:

Here ya go, http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=solar+panel

Henry Dover answers:

Evergreen solar panels cost between $750 for the 170 W panel and $892 for the 195 W panel.

These are some typical prices for the Evergreen brand:
* ES-170 SL (170 W / 25.3 V) ==> $750
* ES-180 RL (180 W / 25.9 V) ==> $820
* ES-190 RL (190 W / 26.7 V) ==> $870
* ES-195 SL (195 W / 27.1 V) ==> $892

The difference between the RL and SL models is that the RL panels are made in Europe while the SL panels are made in the USA. Both are maintenance free and power efficient.

Henry Dover answers:

You need in average 30 years to recover the investment of a solar energy system, this makes it economical unfeasible in most cases.The solar system will not probably last that either.

The only case where solar energy is economical feasible is where you do not have access to the grid, e.g. Remote location.

In some countries where government wants to promote a green politics, the hardware is provided a low cost (green benefit), this makes it economical feasible for the final user.

Another way to make it economical feasible is to start from scratch thinking solar e.g. Before building your house. If you buy and build everything; appliances, walls, heat systems and so on, thinking in how to do the best use of solar energy, thus you can get a nearly economical feasible system.