Solar Energy

By Juan Figueroa & Jake Rassman

Current Status

• Today, in the United States the average cost per kilowatt hour per household for electricity is 10.2 cents per kilowatt hour for residential areas.

Costs

• The cost to install enough solar panels to provide complete electricity to a 2,500 sq ft. house is roughly $21,000 depending on your installment and shipping fees.

• Any home smaller than 2,500 sp ft. would gain benefits in the form of payment from their local electricity providers.

The Logical Setup for A solar Powered Home

Improvements in Solar Technology

(Microscopic Folds on the surface of the photovoltaic material significantly increases power output)(Indium Gallium Nitride materials are being

used because the resulting material can absorb any color of light)

Benefits

• Although coal looks appealing in the short term cost of energy solar power is the more profitable investment for the future because not only does it lower the cost of your electricity it also increases the resale value of your house by a lot because of the reduced energy costs.

Breaking Even

• The current average for an energy bill per month in the united states is $95.66.

• This adds up to be $1,147.92 per year.• After purchasing a $21,000 solar power

system and any installation costs they may be required it would take roughly 18.5 years to pay off your solar investment.

Why We Don’t Convert Now

• Currently, solar energy is too expensive to appeal to the average american. And since the investment takes soo long to become profitable, it is not likely that solar power will be used to power entire residential buildings.

• If the price for this technology is lowered in the near future however, it is a very promising source to provide electricity.