[Rick Lee]

I have solar panels on my house and, even with the gov't. subsidies, it's about break even. Before I had the panels, I spent a whopping $1300 per year on electricity. If I hadn't gotten a $500 rebate from the solar panel company, it'd be a total wash. The only savings for me is that I'm locked into a rate for 20 yrs. and so am protected against inflation and the utility's increases. If I had paid for this all with my own money, it'd take me 17 yrs. to break even. And PV panels don't last forever either.