NEWS: Federal Energy Bill includes 30% tax credit (no cap) for commerical and residential solar (capped at $2000).

3. How much does it cost and when do I break even? The new Federal Energy Bill has added a 30% tax credit. This means, for example, a commercial 48 Kilowatt solar electric system with a turnkey price of $411,034.92 is reduced to $126,432.59 after rebates, tax credits and depreciation. This is a long-term electricity rate of $0.0487 per kWh. For Residential see these numbers: qty. $ amt. panels 18 $14,717.38 inverter 1 $2,441.20 mounting kit 1 $2,084.96 Product Sub Total $19,243.54 tax $1,587.59 shipping $360.00 Product Grand Total $21,191.13 Installation Estimate $4,500.00 Permits $500.00 Total Before Rebate $26,191.13 rebate $6,393.68 ca tax credit $1,109.81 fed tax credit $2,000.00 Grand Total $16,687.64 4. Should I use a tracking system? Moving parts, so generally no. But, some applications it does make sense. 5. What is the best panel orientation? Orientation Factor For Annual Energy Production in California - Source Endecon Engineering FACING Flat 4:12 7:12 12:12 21:12 Vertical South 0.89 0.97 1 0.97 0.89 0.58 SSE, SSW 0.89 0.97 0.99 0.96 0.88 0.59 SE,SW 0.89 0.95 0.96 0.93 0.85 0.6 ESE,WSW 0.89 0.92 0.91 0.87 0.79 0.57 E,W 0.89 0.88 0.84 0.78 0.7 0.52 6. Who invented the photovoltaic effect? Albert Einstein 7. How much power does 1KW of solar make? 1KW x 5 Sun Hours x 30 days = 150 kWh per month 8. How much to power my 3,000 square foot home? This depends on how much electricity you use. The average american home uses 500 kWh a month. If you have a pool, the pool is using about 400 kWh a month just to circulate and filter the water. Look at your electricity bill. Find the number of kWh you use per month. Divide that number by 150 (this the the average monthly production for 1KW of solar electric grid-tie panels) For Example: kWh Usage: 900 kWh a month 900 / 150 = 6 You need approximately a 6KW solar system to make your electric bill close to zero.