I've been doing the same since 1979, and have run both a computer consultancy (embedded programming) and a machine shop, all solar but for the odd times we have to run a backup generator. From a "control over your life" point of view, the ROI is overwhelming. But there's another, very real roi that's not mentioned, as it probably doesn't apply to the Inq.

Where I live is very rural, I bought land and built on it. Guess what? The power company is named that for more than one reason -- they effectively enforce the building code -- no permits, no power.
Hah! As a result of no permits, all 4 of the buildings on my campus are taxed as barns, not dwellings, workplaces etc.

This pays for the panels, batteries, inverters, and gas for the generators, more than once per year.

See www.coultersmithing.com for more, and "don't tell on me".

correct me if I'm wrong, but I would estimate the value of the electricity you have crated at around 300 punds, which would mean a yield of 3.75% this year for your 8000 punds of investment (and that's thanks to government subsidies, but not including the price of the happiness derived from delusions of planet saver)

How soon until you'll be spotting the dosh to have us over for a look see?

Actualy I'm more interested in how much energy it takes to make a solar panel, compared to how much it will realisticly produce in its lifetime?
Solar panels are becoming more eficient we are told, but only money is used as the key metric in all stories I see.
If it doesnt produce more than it takes to make, then its a waste.

What was your annual electricity bill before you got this stuff in? I see the old story refers to a 25 year lifespan on the panels.

Just curious, based on 1 year of use, when do you think you will

1) break even, thanks to the 50% grant ?

2) break even without the grant

Yes, yes, its all about saving energy, hugging trees etc. but I am still curious to know.

keep the juice flowing! you serve as a great example for other companies. hopefully more companies go solar and slowly make it more affordable for the little guys.

For comparison and info you can use http://home.altenergystore.com/ which lists a Kyocera KC200GT at around US$1,000 a piece.



So, based on this year, how many years until your break even point?

I keep reading the articles on the solar panels, but (as far as I remember, correct me if I'm wrong) they have never included what I've been looking for.

How much did they cost?
Where did you get them from?
How big are they?
How many did you need to install to get the results in your articles?

[We did write this. See here
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/03/08/inq-solar-panels-up-and-running
The government divvied up 50 per cent of the cost and the install, so we paid 8,000 UK.]

So how much did the solar panels cost you then? No use knowing how much you earnt without knowing how much you spent...