| Solar technology is becoming more and more | | | | levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as the unit of cost. A |
| affordable with improving solar cell technology and the | | | | 10MW installation in Arizona for example, has a LCOE |
| consolidation of the supply chain. Taking the steps to | | | | of approximately $0.15 to 0.22/kWh in 2005. Panel |
| install your own solar power systems can increase | | | | efficiency can be improved by adopting technology |
| your property value as well as improve the | | | | such as solar tracking systems, whereby, the solar |
| environment. Doing it yourself is another way to | | | | panels maximize sun exposure by moving in the |
| decrease the cost of a solar panel installation. In many | | | | direction perpendicular to the sun. |
| cases the cast can be upwards of 25,000 dollars. | | | | Recent technology developments have shown that |
| Energy Payback Time On Investment | | | | with concentrating solar technology, the cost for a |
| The good news is the energy payback time on solar | | | | solar installation can be reduced to grid parity. Solar |
| installations is decreasing by the day. In the year 2000, | | | | collectors concentrate sunlight using reflectors and |
| the payback period was 8 to 10 years. In 2006, this | | | | mirrors. Grid parity is achieved when the cost to install |
| number was decreased to only 3 to 5 years. On thin | | | | solar is equivalent to oil and natural gas. |
| film installations this number is even lower, at an | | | | Grid parity is within our reach. Do your part to improve |
| estimated 1 - 1.5 years. | | | | the environment and save money on your electricity |
| Power Costs | | | | bills, install solar. |
| The photovoltaic industry is beginning to adopt a | | | | |