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Using Solar Power to Run a Home

By
Home Stager with GUYTrendz

In response to a post I wrote earlier today about local power cost woes I tried to get a little creative and briefly explored the possibilities of using some other power source than our standard community power company. The Nellis Air Force Base announced it would be building a huge solar facility on its grounds and would produce 30% of the needed power with those panels. So, what does it take to power a home with solar panels? I turned to the clever How Stuff Works for the answer: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question418.htm

Currently, a resident would have to remain in a home for quite some time to recouperate the costs. I imagine that in some future the costs will decrease and power companies will be paying us for pushing power back into their grid. I look forward to that day.

Comments(5)

The MyHomeHouston Team
Keller Williams Realty - Houston, TX
I hope I live to see that day as well.  Good link to "How Stuff Works".  I've been browsing that site for quite a while now and am really surprised as to how extensive their database of articles is!
Mar 27, 2007 11:41 AM
GUY Trendz
GUYTrendz - Las Vegas, NV
Home Gifts and Products for Men
Steve: I LOVE HSW. I can burn hours there learning about everything from engines to weapons used in Iraq to horse power. Could be one of my favorite sites of all time...er...ah...right next to A|R that is.
Mar 27, 2007 11:53 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Hi Darron!  A $30,000 system that is amortized over 30 years would only cost a homeowner about $150 a month when financed.  With bills reaching 400-500 dollars a month in the summertime/$150 a month in the wintertime on a 3000 square foot home with a pool, the savings could be enormous!  For those with large amounts of equity, a desire to stay put for a long while and good credit it does make sense to finance it.
Mar 27, 2007 04:03 PM
GUY Trendz
GUYTrendz - Las Vegas, NV
Home Gifts and Products for Men
Hey Renee: Thanks for breaking down the numbers a bit for a good perspective. I can see long term home owners considering the substantial savings.
Mar 28, 2007 03:06 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Absolutely!  The house has to be a big energy hog to make it worth it!
Mar 28, 2007 08:44 AM