[Biggd]

Originally Posted by NH.Solar

Cobalt's analysis is fair but totally ignores three key factors; asset value, inevitable utility rate increases, and the independance of solar electricity.
$20,000 spent on a solar system is funds going to the asset value of your home, $20,000 spent on utility bills is pure expense with zero residual value. If there are two identical homes on the market and one has no solar and a monthly utility bill of $200, and the other has a solar installation and a negligible monthly bill, which do you suppose will sell for the higher price?
Utility rates and the cost of fossil fuel are directly tied together, when fuel prices increases the utility rates must follow soon thereafter. Oil is relatively cheap right now but do you remember the period less than ten years ago when gas was $4+ per gallon? Bear in mind that right now the NHEC is installing thir own solar array on Moultonboro Neck. You can be sure that they have carefully weighed the current and future costs and risks.
Finally, oil is currently less than $65 per barrel but where will the price go if (when?) one of the major refineries is taken out by disaster or terrorism?
But you can be sure that with every morning the sun will rise...

Do you have proof the 20K spent on solar adds 20K value to a home? I'm not sure I'm seeing that yet. I know I've talked to many people that would never buy a home with solar panels on the roof.