Is Solar Energy Worth the Cost?

offgridstores
offgridstores Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1 ✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Solar systems can be expensive at first, but they may save money over time. This topic looks at whether solar energy is a good investment.
Tagged:
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    "Is Solar Energy Worth the Cost?"

    It depends entirely upon the other options, does it not?
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
    · Share on Twitter
  • emma001
    emma001 Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
    #3
    That’s true solar can feel expensive upfront, but it’s often a solid long-term investment because the savings on electricity bills add up over time. In places with strong sunlight like Dubai, the return tends to be even better, especially for solar panel installation projects where energy usage is high.
    · Share on Twitter
  • Jackielei
    Jackielei Registered Users Posts: 11 ✭✭
    #4
    offgridstores said:
    Solar systems can be expensive at first, but they may save money over time. This topic looks at whether solar energy is a good investment.

    I think a lot of the points in this thread come down to how much self-consumption you actually have and what your local electricity prices look like.

    For some people it clearly makes sense over the long term, especially if they can shift usage into daytime or use EV charging. For others, the payback just stretches out too long to feel worth it.

    In the end it feels less like a pure “investment” decision and more like a lifestyle + energy security choice.

    I’ve also noticed that once people move beyond small home setups and start looking at larger storage (like a 32kWh rack-style system such as https://cmxbattery.com/product/32kwh-48v-628ah-floor-mounted-lifepo4-battery-solar-home-energy-storage/  the conversation shifts again — it becomes more about stability and how to actually use the energy rather than just the ROI on paper.

    · Share on Twitter
  • Miller_Ranch
    Miller_Ranch Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭
    #5
    Definitely worth the cost if you live miles away from the nearest power line. 
    · Share on Twitter
  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Miller_Ranch said:
    Definitely worth the cost if you live miles away from the nearest power line. 
    Yup. In 2010 it was $250000+ to go to a place 1/3 of the way to us. It didn't take too much math. OTOH we could just move to a populated sustainable community.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
    · Share on Twitter
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 7,102 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #7

    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

    · Share on Twitter
  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Somebody says they go where power lines don't go. That's where I'd live (and do). That's the person I'd work with if I couldn't do it myself.

    But most want to flick switches and push buttons like they have a grid connection. Therein is the danger.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
    · Share on Twitter

Categories