Okay to address some of things posted in this thread:
First of all the OP was asking specifically about solar panels, conflating solar energy with wind energy is being a bit disingenuous and I think some you folks doing that know it. It's apples to oranges, about the only thing they have in common is they're both good for the planet!
Panels are very durable and most come with twenty year warranties (or longer). Just what does a warranty mean when talking about solar panels? The manufactures guaranty the panel will be putting out a certain percentage of their original rated output a given number of years from now. Generally this will be eighty percent at twenty or twenty-five years from now. So when their "lifespan" is "over" they're still going to be producing useful energy
Somebody mentioned cadmium, cadmium is used in a wide range of industries so that's kind of a moot point isn't it? Keep in mind that all the components of a solar panel can be recycled. I'm not aware of any company doing that presently, but rest assured that in thirty years when the current panels start being replaced somebody will figure out how to make a buck at it.
Invertors fail -yes they do! Mine failed less than two years after I installed it. Got it fixed under warranty. Hey Jimmydog put a lightning arrestor on it next time! Also the cost of invertors, just as panels, has been dropping significantly over the past ten years or so. Heck the very first solid state invertor I bought back in the early 80's cost 280$ and was only 400 watts! You could buy a bigger one than that now days for twenty bucks at about any auto parts store.
Who pays 100% up front for things....well houses and cars come to mind. Yeah I know loans yada yada. Just think of how much you could save if you did pay cash. Why should energy be any different? While I'm certainly not a fortune teller, one thing I think we can both can agree upon is that what you pay for utility supplied energy is not going to be the same in twenty years as you are today. Hmm wonder which way the price will go? My rate is for the most part fixed.
Not even environmentally neutral, what ever that means, seems like a pretty odd thing to say when comparing solar to coal or other fossil fuels. Doesn't it make sense that if we're going to have to mine we should mine stuff that doesn't involve releasing CO2 into the atmosphere to liberate the energy?
Solyndra? seriously? So what! One solar panel manufacturing company goes belly up, there's plenty of them out there doing just fine, making nice profits. Think of it like casinos, just because one guy can't make it work doesn't mean nobody can. Plenty of casinos out there turning nice profits too. And don't get me started on subsidies, what with the subsidies and tax breaks for the fossil fuel industries. I know some believe we just can't get by with out fossil fuels and for the present time we would have a hard time doing without them. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do everything possible to reduce our reliance on them. The evolution to green energy will not happen over night like flipping a switch or something it will be gradual and not nearly as painful as some of you seem to think. Oh and if there is something we definitely can't get by with out, it's an INHABITABLE PLANET.
Batteries are a significant part to the cost of an off-grid system. However my battery banks last 8-10 years. I'm on my second set right now and they need to be replaced, and this will probably be the last time I go with flooded lead acid. I expect that in ten more years with the rate of innovation we're seeing in the field I will be buying something superior by then. Oh and heating with electricity (resistive load) has got to be the most inefficient way to heat anything.
Philip, I think you kind of answered you own question when you say you're not trying to make a buck selling energy back to the utility company. I also gather you live north of me, while you may not gather as much light in the winter you will still get a respectable amount. I do. There is something called snow glare and boy it can really amp things up. Since you're not interested in off-grid you'll save some money there but I'm thinking your installation will involve some hoop jumping on the part of the grid tie-in. As for roof mounted; panels are most efficient when the sun's rays strike perpendicular to face of the panel. Most roof mounted are permanent placement so it makes sense to add extra capacity to compensate for the loss of seasonal efficiency.
If your roof is strong enough you could always add a movable racking system. You'll just have to climb up on the roof twice a year to change their position. Also snow will build up on them even sometimes when they're vertical. Since you're planning on not being 100% reliant on them, snow build up won't be the issue it is with me. I have my panels mounted on poles in the ground and occasionally go out and brush the snow off with a push broom. Interestingly enough it seems like every time they let me off the farm, I drive by places and see more and more solar installations, almost all of them on the ground. Well my fingers are starting to get tired. Philip, I think if you do your do diligence (careful design, reasonable expectation, do as much of the work as you are capable of yourself) you'll be pleased with the out come.
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