[peeker01]

found this online for a 5kw solar installation in phoenix. my quick calculations indicated that this type of system might produce $1900 of electricity per year. looks like i was a bitoptimistic.

Size cost SRP incentive Arizona credit Fed tax credit Net cost Annual savings Simple payback
5 kW $27,000 $6,750 $1,000 $8,100 $11,150 $720 15 yrs

SRP Net

Potential Issues
1. 50% of americans pay little or no federal tax, hence no fed or state tax break
2. tax incentives likely to go away in this economy
3. maintenance not considered - hail, inverter failure
4. opportunity costs of money not accounted for (buy some ford stock)
5 interest on 27,000 doesn't appear to be accounted for
6. what if you move
7. not very pleasing to the eye/or your neighbor's eye

i have always been in favor of technology, but this isn't adding up