Solar power, what's the cost?

Question

what's the cost, and save money from the other source of energy, the expensive oil

Answer 1

Elements being mined to make the panels and the energy to make them.  Lead acid batteries to store the energy and then all the waste that goes with the manufacturing and the waste of dead lead acid batteries.   Include all the plastic and copper wire to get the power to the panels and electrical hook ups and the all of the political pork money used to fund the buying of these items.  Don't forget the pollution China dumped into the rivers and air that the UN will some day tax the c**p out of us to clean up for the poor peasants who are dying.  We should just go back to hunting and gathering, much more sustainable.

Answer 2

Today, the base cost is about $4.00/watt.  At this cost, it is a bad investment.  In the next couple years, availability of less expensive thin film PV will be greater.  Costs should be about $2.00 per watt, which is a marginal investment.  Withing five years or so, these products will be available at $1.00 per watt, at which time they begin looking attractive.  In less than 10 years, 50 cents a watt is the target cost, and PV modules will be a very good investment.

Answer 3

Someone actually did the mathematical breakdown to determine if its worth it or not. It different for everyone so make sure to plug in your numbers. The website is: http://ecojudge.com/Solar-panels-Are-the...