Vent: Ran into a neighbor who thinks solar panels are a scam

Last Tuesday I was out watering my front yard in Phoenix when my neighbor Tom walks over and points at my new solar setup. He says 'You know those things just ruin your roof and cost more to fix than they save.' I tried to explain my electric bill dropped $80 a month since install, but he just shook his head and walked off. Has anyone else had to deal with people who are dead set against renewables without looking at the numbers?

2 comments

2 Comments

patriciam227d ago

Did you see that Arizona Republic article about solar panels lasting 30 years?

lee_bailey657d ago

The 30 year mark is pretty impressive if you think about it. I was reading a Department of Energy study that said most panels actually perform at like 80% capacity after 25 years. So they can last longer but they slowly lose power over time. @patriciam22 I think the big thing people miss is that the inverters usually need replaced around year 15 which adds cost. Still a solid investment if you live somewhere sunny like Arizona.