May 16, 2008 09:32 pm
Re: Will the investment have a real return?
Luis;
I don't know if PR has any incentives for Solar, but you might be able to find out on the DSIRE (Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy) site at Dept of Energy.
Regardless, I would have to say I strongly encourage people to have at least a little bit of their own Electrical Generating Capacity. A few hundred bucks could get you a 40watt Panel, a Sunguard 4.5 Charge Controller (very important part of the package), a deepcycle batt and an inverter (with Low-voltage Disconnect, so you don't kill the battery by over-discharging it) I am personally very concerned about the stability of our power supplies at this point, both motor fuels and electric generation. If there is any kind of 'global power hiccup', there are such slim margins these days that the costs of energy and of Alt Energy equipment might go through the roof. The great thing about Solar Electric is that you can add them together, so just buy a few, and add to the stack when you can. (matching the same Model Panel is ideal, but not absolutely necessary) Batteries and Inverter are often best to buy with an eye for how much you 'ultimately' want, since batts should be the same age and usage history, and upgrading inverter capacity (more Watts) means a whole new inverter.
Hope this gives some things to think about.
Bob in Portland, Maine
(currently with one 40w Shell and two Kyocera 130w panels from Alt-E store)