Solar with Batteries vs. Generator: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

In the realm of backup power solutions, homeowners and businesses often find themselves choosing between traditional generators and modern solar systems with battery backup. While both options provide energy security during outages, their long-term costs and benefits differ significantly. In this case we are looking at a larger, whole-home sized generator and comparing it to a solar system that produces as much or more power. See table below for comparison of costs, savings and benefits.

Renewable Energy and IRA 2022

Quick take for Inflation Reduction Act 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act is a huge legislation act passed in 2022. It includes increases in taxes (mostly corporate related), limits to some spending (like drugs), and a lot toward energy efficiency and renewable energy. See the overview on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation_Reduction_Act_of_2022

Renewable Energy Incentives. The IRA has raised and extended the 30% investment tax credit to qualified renewable energy investments. There are many limitations and additions. Look for updated blogs here and get informed from the IRS and Treasury. 

Solar Prices Dropped off a Cliff and Into the Ocean

Here's a great article in Clean Technica by  Zachary Shahan on the falling prices of solar (PV). The cost per watt is the key measure to follow. Basically a rule of thumb is that $3 per Watt installed should be profitable, before any tax credit considerations. In 2006 the cost was $3.50 per watt for the panels. Now prices have dropped below $0.50 and would be lower if there wasn't a trade tiff going on with China.  Even with $1 to $2 per watt installed, the prices are getting to be crazy low. The Investment Tax Credit dropped to 26% percent in 2020 and will drop to 22% in 2021, but the installed costs after tax benefits should be less than $2 per watt. That's a crazy profitable investment, especially for businesses. (See our discussion and  Solar Calculator on the residential and business PV investments.)

Solar-Fit Radio Show: Gallagher and Hall Talk Home is Castle and Solar Fitness

Elmer Hall on Solar-Fit Radio

Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Radio Show. June 20, 2020, Live at 10am ET.
Bill Gallagher, President/CEO of Solar-Fit (and world renown talk-show host) is interviewing Dr Elmer Hall (Strategic Business Planning Company). We're talking about Perpetual Innovation(tm), Hall and Hinkelman's book series on intellectual property (Patents) Commercialization. Then talking about about the COVID abnormal (and new-abnormal). And lastly move on to talk about renewable energy as people spend more time in their Castle (living, working, safe-distancing). What does this movement to update and improve the castle mean for Solar???...

Listen to the archive of this show on Flagler Broadcasting: Dr Elmer Hall on Solar-Fit Rewanable Energy Show June 20 2020.

Note that SustainZine has pages devoted to the Financial Analysis of Solar System Purchases (both Residential and Commercial). Residential is a good investment; Commercial can be crazy profitable!

Here is a long SustainZine article from a May 2018 radio show related to Energy Efficiency and Telework.

(Remember that the Renewable Investment Tax Credit was 30%, then dropped down to 26% in 2020 and will continue with a very rapid phase out over the next couple years.)

#Solar-Fit #SustainZine #Solar #RenewableEnergy #EnergyEfficiency
Here is the Solar-Fit radio show station:Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Radio Show
(We'll let you know as soon as this show is archived for your redo, review, renew!)