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97% of Americans overestimate cost of installing solar

SmartPlanet -- Ninety-seven percent American homeowners overestimate the cost of installing solar, according to a recent Harris interactive poll that illustrates public perception remains a major obstacle to adding more residential renewable energy to the grid.

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Submitted Apr 27, 2012 By: Magyar641

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DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,335 Points:1,239,425 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 8:57:32 AM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse I'd say the hassle factor keeps people from pursuing the installation too.
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,982 Points:629,570 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 5:07:50 AM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Interesting.
cashpayer Sophomore Author Raleigh Posts:147 Points:81,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:56:30 PM Ignore cashpayer Report Abuse Interesting... Never really considered it before.
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,067,300 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:31:04 PM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse I must be in the 3% as I never gave installing solar any thought.
goldentoe Champion Author Oregon Posts:5,909 Points:1,359,285 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:24:00 PM Ignore goldentoe Report Abuse I installed two different solar systems on my house. The first about 15 years ago to heat our water - free hot water all summer long. The storage tank can attain about 170 degrees. The second was a photovoltaic system in Oct. 2010. It supplies about 20% of our annual electricity (all electric house). After all of the rebates and tax credits, the net cost is $427, that's right, $427! Sometime this summer I will have generated enough electricity with the system back to the grid to cover the cost of the system. Why not change all building codes for all homes costing (pick a number), let's say $500,000 or more must have solar. For me, it was a no-brainer.
gasgo123 Veteran Author South Carolina Posts:275 Points:1,767,885 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:23:18 PM Ignore gasgo123 Report Abuse I installed a solar water heater about 1980 when they had a big tax credit but when it started leaking, the tank, the cheapest tank was about $1250 and a tree branch broke the glass in the panel which would about another $1000 not including installation, so I spent $300 for a gas water heater and I do not have worry about if the sun shines to keep from running out of hot water.
Tucker1961 Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,157 Points:363,170 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:20:54 PM Ignore Tucker1961 Report Abuse sure
CarolinaBlue150 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,430 Points:300,000 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:20:06 PM Ignore CarolinaBlue150 Report Abuse Not a big fan of leasing. What happens if you want to sell your home and no one wants to assume your lease?
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:409,865 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:19:49 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse How about install and stop getting ripped off by you loal power company, tedjm1?
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,544 Points:1,206,815 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:19:34 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse WOW
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,935 Points:828,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:19:12 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Go go go and do it.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:409,865 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:18:52 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Just to clarify, bl626. You don't need batteries for a solar installation if you're hooking the system up to the power grid. Your appliances will run off solar during the day (and any excess power will be sold back to the power company by running your meter backwards) and at night the power company will handle your electricity needs. Batteries are only needed if you plan to have your house off the grid. Usually that only makes sense if your place is far from any electrical transmission wires since you'd have to pay out of pocket to have the wires extended to your house.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,451 Points:2,077,835 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:18:05 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse More like 97% plus 1...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:17:12 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Install and go to the poor house.
baconnie Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,797 Points:563,210 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:15:27 PM Ignore baconnie Report Abuse might have to go solar
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:409,865 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:14:37 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse That may well be true, AGasGuzzler. But what you don't factor in is that rooftop solar generally makes your roof last longer since the solar modules absorb all that sunlight and UV rays that cause your roof to degrade over time. The best situation is to install solar at the same time as when you have a new roof done. The added expense will definitely pay for itself.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,069 Points:1,099,105 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:14:14 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Bring on more solar!
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,405 Points:476,720 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:13:45 PM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse you learn something every day!!!
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:14,306 Points:3,129,995 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:13:41 PM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse Thanks to several posters for sharing information and experience.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:409,865 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:11:05 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Thank you,orphancarguyPE , for the solar lesson. I would say that for those who are leary about taking the plunge fully into solar. Try the solar thermal system first. No electricity is produced but lots of hot water for showers. In the summer, your water heater will never go on during the day and even in the winter you will save a lot of fuel since you won't have to heat the water from nearly freezing to a comfortable temp. The sun will do at least half the work.
AGasGuzzler Champion Author Lansing Posts:18,132 Points:3,431,935 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:10:40 PM Ignore AGasGuzzler Report Abuse It is also not very well known that solar panels get VERY HOT -- up to 200+ degrees. If you are installing it on a metal roof or clay tile, the heat will not be as much of a factor as if you installed it on an asphalt or shingled roof. The fiberglass shingles are not designed for that kind of heat, and you will rue the day that you tried to "go solar".
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,898 Points:1,730,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:09:45 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Give it to me for free. I will be gladly to take it.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,881 Points:769,345 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:08:53 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse According to the article, my cost would be about the same!
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,555 Points:2,442,210 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:07:37 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse guess that makes me a 3 %--er.
ratboy1968 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,602 Points:545,350 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:07:00 PM Ignore ratboy1968 Report Abuse ok
gus8441 Champion Author Baltimore Posts:2,099 Points:439,900 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:06:59 PM Ignore gus8441 Report Abuse better to over than under estimate
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,284 Points:1,639,880 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:06:50 PM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse Well, advertise the cost, make it affordable and it will happen.....!
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,193 Points:514,850 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:06:46 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse It's worth considering. Will our government give us a tax credit for installing solar panels?
TheSicilian Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:5,359 Points:1,466,500 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:06:21 PM Ignore TheSicilian Report Abuse not surprised
vegboy All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:550 Points:106,700 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:05:22 PM Ignore vegboy Report Abuse im not surprised
bl626 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:824 Points:242,355 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:05:10 PM Ignore bl626 Report Abuse the main problem is how to store energy, need batteries that cost lots of $$$
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,881 Points:769,345 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:04:46 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse Could be...
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,778 Points:750,990 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:04:16 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse ok
visitor_2 Champion Author Orlando Posts:1,652 Points:1,633,055 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:03:00 PM Ignore visitor_2 Report Abuse sounds like a marketing problem
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,522 Points:1,855,445 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:02:47 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Go with clean solar energy!
rickone All-Star Author Detroit Posts:535 Points:390,785 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:02:29 PM Ignore rickone Report Abuse Interesting - Thanks for posting.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,070 Points:1,619,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:59:21 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Can't beat that Joeski. Great news. It is quite nice to see that electric meter going in reverse!
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,070 Points:1,619,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:57:37 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Incorrect boatmen. If you own a home, it is definitely not "out of reach". If you don't own a home, you don't need it. A significant milestone was met last year, as the cost of installation labor is now the greatest expense in an active solar system on a residential home. Panel prices are still dropping too. Payback time is now as low as 5 years. Try a passive solar system for your hot water and heating needs as an even better investment on your home!
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,555 Points:2,442,210 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:56:15 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse so tell me: IS IT FREE ???? I do not overestimate above ZERO.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,048 Points:1,728,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:53:04 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse I wonder why?
cmsense Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,358 Points:165,345 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:52:27 PM Ignore cmsense Report Abuse R&D will continue to improve the efficiency and lower the price.
boatmen Champion Author New York Posts:3,065 Points:620,305 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:49:07 PM Ignore boatmen Report Abuse It is coming down in price still out of reach for most
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:308,570 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:48:56 PM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse You have to be in the right areas to make it viable ...
miiike572 All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:797 Points:522,320 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:48:24 PM Ignore miiike572 Report Abuse ...
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,521 Points:929,670 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:43:55 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse There should be more information on the product pricing,labor,transportatiion.
silverfoxv65 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,465 Points:1,227,125 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:43:07 PM Ignore silverfoxv65 Report Abuse Its better than under estimating!
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:42:38 PM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse something is actually cheaper than we think, finally!
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:41:15 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse They may overestimate, but I'll bet it still is more of a monetary/time commitment than most homeowners want to make.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,553 Points:635,565 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:38:53 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse Solar may be a viable alternative in the future, however with the cost today most people would never recover the initial cost through savings However in Louisiana there are substantial credits in addition to the federal credit which bring the cost down considerably
min_fuel Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,956 Points:722,545 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:37:49 PM Ignore min_fuel Report Abuse Fuel prices? It is expensive ti install Solar. The panels are mainly from Germany and China.