Solar panels are expensive things, both in terms of money and the energy needed to produce them. Do they fit into a low-impact, permaculture lifestyle? How do they measure up against other sources of renewable energy? A good discussion on the subject, filmed at the Hampshire Green Fair 2011
Solar people need to wise up about finance. Payback is one way to evaluate an investment, but not the only way. You can also use discounted cash flows to calculate ROI over the life of the investment. If you calculate the Internal Rate of Return for solar over a 25 year life you might be pleasantly surprised. If you put solar on the roof of a typical house it will add to the long-term value because the house would come with a low electricity bill.
SteveHovland 6 months ago