Solar energy costs

By: Mike Boone

Works cited

http://www.solarenergyworld.com/2011/06/17/solar-history-alexandre-edmond-becquerel/

https://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/solar_timeline.pdf https://

www.google.com/search?q=animation+of+photovoltaic+cell&biw=1311&bih=593&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CDUQ7AlqFQoTCJft2uam_8YCFQlJkgodkDENKA&dpr=1#imgrc=g0_l1mF3n46ZYM%3A

http://costofsolar.com/cost-of-solar-panels-10-charts-tell-you-everything/

http://www.sdge.com/residential/2013-rates

In 1839, he is known for his studies in the solar spectrum, magnetism, electricity and optics. He is best known for his discovery and unraveling the key principle to solar energy cells, the photovoltaic effect.

Alexandre Edmond Becquerellar (1820-1891)

How it works!When photons from the sun strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected or absorbed. The absorbed photons generate electricity. Shown as the electron heading out the negative lead causing the light to come on.

Since 1839 there have been

• Solar powered water heaters• A Solar powered steam engines• Solar powered air planes• Solar powered satellites• Solar powered electrical plants

The biggest break through !!!!

The use of silicone

1954 Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States when Daryl Chapin,Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell atBell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energyinto power to run everyday electrical equipment.

Silicon cellSimple cell

19541839

Is it efficient???

Time 1954 1957 1959 1985 1999 20130.00%5.00%

10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%

Efficiency

Solar cell efficiency over time

The common myth that solar is too expensive???

It use to be beyond the reach of the blue collar worker.

NOW!!!

Time 1977 1979 1985 1995 2005 2011 2013$0.00

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

$60.00

$70.00

$80.00

$90.00

Cost

The price history of a solar panel per watt

YEAR

COST

1977 $76.67

1979 $40.00

1985 $12.00

1995 $7.002005 $4.002011 $1.502013 $.76

An average 1300 foot house will use approximately 1100 kWh per month depending on insulation and efficiency of appliances. In San Diego county that is between $200 - $300 per month. Or $2400 - $3600 per year.

For the same 1300 square foot

house it would cost approximately

$14,000 - $20,000 to install solar

that will cover the average 1100

kWh usage.

THAT’S TO EXPENSIVE!!

Lets do the math taking into account that the average solar system lasts more that 20 years.

Conventional electricityCost monthly X 12 = Annual Expense$200 to $300 X 12 = $2400 to $ 3600 Annual Expense

Solar electricityOne time expense of $14,000 to $20,00

Now the graph!

Using the smaller of the two values of $14,000 solar instillation and a monthly bill for SDGE of $200. We graphed a ten year period just for an example but keep in mind that a solar system will last over twenty years.

Time 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026$0.00

$5,000.00

$10,000.00

$15,000.00

$20,000.00

$25,000.00

$30,000.00

SDGE Solar one time cost

Paid

off

After approximately 5 years the graphs cross. This is the point where your solar installation will be paid for if you were making the same payments on it that you were to SDGE. After that point the graph for the solar disappears because it is paid off. However the graph for SDGE continues past the $14,000 to $26,400.

In short solar energy is not new but it is now drastically more efficient and within the price range for the common consumer to make the change to go green.

What would you do with $12000?