logoalt Hacker News

eggytoday at 1:07 PM2 repliesview on HN

Since it's not a battery storage setup, the energy being sent into your home circuit alleviates demand by a small amount. Where did they come up with 10 to 25% savings? Factors such as an optimal view of the sun for as much as possible, south-facing or biased East or West, would be the max. payoff. Night would be a zero net gain. At a savings of $7 a month, the panel would pay for itself in maybe 10 years not factoring in government subsidies. You need to keep it clean as well for it to maintain its potential output.


Replies

MisterTeatoday at 1:58 PM

> Where did they come up with 10 to 25% savings?

I did really rough math and a hypothetical 200W panel getting 100% sun for 5 hours per day (1 kW/hr) would net you a whopping ~$9.30 in savings per month. We're paying something like $0.31 per kW/hr in NYC and it's a lot of money right now.

show 1 reply
jacquesmtoday at 1:36 PM

It may well be in reduced AC bill as well due to increased reflectivity.