Quote:
Originally Posted by ITD
The real argument against solar is that when you need it the most it's not there, the sun is set or behind the clouds or so low on the horizon the output is negligible. Useful hours of solar power here are 5.33 peak solar hours in the summer, 3.66 peak solar hours in the winter. Full sun days per year average about 90 per year. Average annual sunlight hours are 2,500. The number of hours in a year is about 8,760. So you need other power when the sun is down or not producing enough power, which is 6,260 hours per year, or more than 70% of the time, solar is useless at those times.
|
This is a fair point with respect to society as a whole and the electric grid as a whole. But that's NHEC/Eversource's problem to solve. Back to the opportunity of putting solar on your own roof...
When a person puts solar on their roof, the power generated flows into the grid as a whole. When they are producing more than their home needs, their electric meter turns in reverse ("net metering"). In this way the grid acts as a giant battery for the homeowner--your excess power goes to your neighbor, and your electric bill is lowered as a result. My electric bill is negative from about April to September, then I run that credit down over the winter.
For people interested in solar for their own roof--any good installer can explain exactly how this math will work at your house with your electric provider and their rate structure.