Solar Panel Pricing Falling

[jyl]

Solar PV module pricing is falling, from $1.70/watt in 1Q to $1.40 now, expected to be <$1.30 by year-end. I'm not sure how that translates to retail panel pricing, but as a guess it might mean a 200w panel for $400-450.

The economics of home solar are getting better.

[Jim Richards]

That's good news, John. I look forward to sending some of my USD overseas to the countries that are actually investing in these renewable energy sources.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

That's good news, John. I look forward to sending some of my USD overseas to the countries that are actually investing in these renewable energy sources.

. .yeah, this country never has actually invested in 'renewable energy sources."

[stomachmonkey]

Japan is looking to mandate Solar on all new buildings and homes.

The Germans are now looking to shut down their nukes 14 years earlier than originally planned.

They are both already big players and investors in solar tech.

I think we are going to see a lot of progress in the next decade.

[Z-man]

My town put up a bunch of small 1 foot by 2 feet solar panels on a bunch of telephone poles this month -- anyone knows their purpose?

Solar does makes sense -- if the location is ideal -- I wouldn't invest in solar panels if I lived in Alaska or Sweden, though...

-Z-man.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Z-man

My town put up a bunch of small 1 foot by 2 feet solar panels on a bunch of telephone poles this month -- anyone knows their purpose?

Around here they are used to run traffic cameras and small signage.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by island911

. .yeah, this country never has actually invested in 'renewable energy sources."

China Leapfrogs U.S. As World's Most Attractive Country for Renewable Energy Investment

German/European Investment in Solar Power Delivers Market Leadership - iSuppli

Take a Midol, Glenn.

[island911]

Nice try, Jim, but you would have looked less stupid if you simply posted "snowtires" <-- that was working for ya.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd love to know what the REAL cost of using those for small roadside stuff is when you factor in battery replacements... The batteries will likely fail long before the panels.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've been keeping an eye on Nanosolar, their tech looks interesting. And they employ American factory workers.

[island911]

P-O-P, I expect that the real cost has been calculated to be lower than the cost of installing grid power (and the associated metering). ...plus, it makes some feel good. (and the birds have a nice place to perch. . .and crap. ...oh sh:t - there goes the real cost savings.)


. ..edit: I mean .. .uhm ... time for the development of a new solar-panel maintenance crew. (so we can realize the great savings as formerly calculated.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I'd love to know what the REAL cost of using those for small roadside stuff is when you factor in battery replacements... The batteries will likely fail long before the panels.

No-brainer. The cost probably tips in favor of the panels at the first battery change that requires a truck roll and a guy to climb a pole. And how can a battery in these applications last more than a year?

[turbo6bar]

I was looking last fall when the federal tax rebate was still in effect. Retail pricing was around $2.10/watt. Now, sale prices are around $1.50/watt. We've almost reached the point where pricing is the same now as then WITH the tax credit.

Seriously considering doing something next year. Can't hurt to wait as pricing seems to continue downward. I don't have fancy state rebates to reduce upfront costs, so falling prices are a must.

[Joeaksa]

Look in my back yard. Lots of panels out there, chugging away all day long making elecktrickery!

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

That's good news, John. I look forward to sending some of my USD overseas to the countries that are actually investing in these renewable energy sources.

or you can buy them in Oregon

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I'd love to know what the REAL cost of using those for small roadside stuff is when you factor in battery replacements... The batteries will likely fail long before the panels.

I suspect it may have as much to do with redundancy than anything else.

Tornado siren outside my office, considering bad weather goes hand in hand with Tornado's it's probably a pretty good idea to provide backup for at least the comms.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, the sun is always shining bright with the tornadoes are on the way.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by jyl

Solar PV module pricing is falling, from $1.70/watt in 1Q to $1.40 now, expected to be <$1.30 by year-end. I'm not sure how that translates to retail panel pricing, but as a guess it might mean a 200w panel for $400-450.

The economics of home solar are getting better.

It depends on how you buy them. In QTY I can get them for less. But the issue is the type of panel. The price of Amorphus (Thin Film) is way down, the the efficiency is crap, so you have cheap but big panels.

The cheapest single panels, without shipping, are $1.42 per watt and they are Monocrystalline. The SUPER cheapies are sold out and were as low as $1.14 per watt. Again, add in shipping (usually about $15-30 per panel, unless you're buying by the truckload).

For an on grid system, most of you guys in California are dumb to not put as many thta will fit on your roof. The problem is the solar installers know this and are way over-charging for system.

[patssle]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I've been keeping an eye on Nanosolar, their tech looks interesting. And they employ American factory workers.

So did ESLR.

[jyl]

How much is installation, typically, for a single family house? Do most people do it when they need a new roof, rather than have to reomve the panels later?