Texas Solar Is On The Rise Will The Cost Is Falling

In Texas, solar can be an excellent choice to make when trying to save on electricity.  There are abundant sun and wind, and renewable energies are the future.  Most Texas homeowners are analyzing if the purchaser of a solar energy system or residential wind turbine system will quickly face sticker shock. 

Let's catch up on cost for some renewables in Texas and beyond.  Wind turbine systems can cost as high as $65,000 installed. The average price nationally for a professionally installed solar panel system is approximately $8 to $9 per watt. A 2 kilowatt (kW) grid-tied system (no battery back up) can cost up to $16,000. A comparable 5 kW system can cost upwards of $40,000. Deep cycle back-up batteries for both wind and solar can add on 20 to 30 percent more. You might be able to save around $2 per watt by doing the labor yourself; however, energy performance programs may have certification requirements.

Solar Energy Is Cheap

Domestic and commercial demand for wind and solar energy is increasing, and the technology is changing, there are more producers, and the cost is dropping. In the case of solar energy, the cost of an average solar panel in 1980 was $21 per watt. In 25 years, that's a price decrease of 90%. Power output capabilities have also improved. In 1980, a typical solar panel might put out 22 watts. Now, 100-watt panels are conventional, if not plentiful. That's a 450% increase in output. Add to these new improvements through tracking (a motorized mount tracks the sun through the day to increase efficiency) and focusing sunlight on removing up to 75% of the sun's rays that increases productivity by 1000 times over conventional flat panels.

The reason domestic renewable energy systems are costly is plain to see: you are investing in a home-sized solar power plant. Like any large-scale power plant, that's a long-term investment made over the time span of 15 to 25 years. And, like any long-term investment, you should first take a few minutes to reflect on your needs and goals.  Maybe ask yourself these questions and prepare your summation to find the best fit for your needs.  

Solar Questions To Consider

How much power do you use each day?

In a rural environment, will it fetch dollars more to bring more to bring poles and wires to your home?

Is your goal to have self-sufficiency while maintaining a grid-tie?

Is your goal a zero-energy house?

While contemplating these topics, remember home size is trivial. The issue should be seen as essentially how much energy you use because you are going to need a system that can meet your usage needs. A 1,500 square foot home doesn't use any power on its own; it's the humans living inside that do.

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