Hi! August,

On Mon, 26 Dec 11, you wrote to me:

 PQ>> afford them.  In our first (partial) month we've seen some
 PQ>> saving already.

 AA> There are at least 8 or 10 solar panel systems in my area that I know
 AA> of.  Most of them required huge investments of over $40K. That kind
 AA> of money is out of reach for many. Most of the installations were
 AA> mortgaged.

That kind of installation is out of reach here too.  Our system cost was
$6500 with a government rebate 'kick in'.  (AUS$~=US$, BTW.)

There again, that might be an 'industrial strength' system being considered
for a profit-making situation.  I have seen a TV story where small-time
European farmers are converting once fallow land into wind-generated power
making acreage, and selling power as a means to
supplement/complement/supplant the farms' income.

OTOH, it could be a system with -storage- capacity to provide power when
the sun ain't shining or the wind ain't blowin'.  That's where the real
cost is.  Storing unused power.  Mucho big bux in storage gear.

 AA> The land-based systems are the largest and had the option of having
 AA> the land leased to the solar installer via a government program.  But
 AA> that's still a long term investment with low short-term savings.

This state (Queensland) is the land of sunshine.  Like Florida, it's
nickname is the "Sunshine State".

Barring the odd cyclone (one leftover hereabouts at present) we ought to
break even, i.e. making a small payment only in most billing periods.  If
we add just a couple-to-four more panels we would turning a profit all the
time.  But for the moment, -any- saving is already helping to pay for the
system.

Cheers,
Paul.

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