What would be the cost of a PV system for an "average" income household?

Hey John, I completely agree.  Its all about getting these systems out there.  Whether its 120 watts or 10KW, every panel in use is empowering someone and off-setting Fossil Fuel use.  Plus, its cool stuff!!--Ben

guys, there is no average home.  the amount of space your house takes up has no bearing on how much electricity you use in it.  a pv system is based on YOUR electric loads.  not your neighbor, not the average american home.  It depends what your goals are.  100% of your electric loads, or maybe 50%.  Or perhaps from this angle:  "I have $10,000 I am willing to spend on renewable energy, what does that get me?"  It is not that most people cant afford solar, it is that they choose to spend their discretionary budget somewhere else like a car or boat or something else.  If you say "solar is too expensive to power my whole house"  then yes, if you are comparing it to the electric company, you are right.  the initial investment for meeting an "average" home's electrical needs completely with solar could easily be $60k.

I would bet that your electrician friends have other toys that they are willing to spend money on, but they don't look at solar the same way.  A Harley will likely not pay itself back.  The solar will.  People can justify a Harley because it is fun, a status symbol, and an activity.  Often those people do not see solar that way, but as an overpriced nice idea, that does not make economic sense in comparison to just buying their energy from the electric company.

what I am getting to is that this topic is near to my heart, and there are a ton of misconceptions about photovoltaics.  Keep your eyes peeled for new articles in the how to section on pv systems for less than $10k, and articles in the community section including interviews with customers about their systems.  If YOU want to do something with solar, do your homework, call us up, and we can get you pointed in the right direction to fit your needs and wants.  Don't worry about the jones's house down the street that probably rolled the pv system into their home loan.

james - Alt-E staff

Hi all.....
Been a few day's since I've been online.As my phone lines were messed up......
Thanks to all of you who have posted a reply.....
ANY..Information is knowledge,for all of us....
 Even though I cant be totally "off-grid"..It does bring a smile to my face when in the evening,I can have lights in my place that are being run by the batteries that I charged during the day.AND recharge ALL of the batteries needed to run my 6 year old son's toys..:-)
 Last month was my lowest power bill yet,$50...And half of that bill was the "Delivery charge...$25!)
   Keep up the great work everyone!!!
And thanks again, John

Rock!

good work michael.  shoot some photos, we are going to have the gallery up on the community section soon.

cheers

james Alt-E staff