Solar power - how much does it cost?

Question

Let's say you had a 2000 sq ft home in a temperate area (let's say Baltimore, MD) - if you wanted the system to pay 3/4 of your energy bills - how much would it cost, within $5000? I'd appreciate the help.

Answer 1

I'd say $7500, because I once calculated a cost of $10,000 to totally divorce my own house from the fossil fuel power grid.  Thats been a couple of years now, you'd think with all of the pontification about global warming and solar power, someone else would have responded by now with up to date numbers.

Answer 2

Its not about the size of your home, first you should look at making your home more energy efficent in every way possible if you are dillegent in doing this you should be able to get your consumpition down by about 70% which will significantly reduce the amount of power you need to create.

1 x 1sq meter PV cell costs around USD500 and will produce 100watts (not alot) plus an inverter will cost a few thousand

USD5000 will get you an inverter and about 500watts of power enough to power 5 x 100w light bulbs

Solar is very good but also very expensive