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on December 5th, 2011% ![]() (CNET)
An artist's rendition of the Curiosity robot designed for round-the-clock scientific experiments.
(Credit:NASA)
If you’re going to Mars with an SUV-size robot, you’ll need a really good energy supply.
The Mars Science Laboratory, called Curiosity, scheduled for launch on Saturday will be powered by a nuclear device, rather than solar panels. Designers hope the nuclear generator will make the mobile robot more productive as it conducts science experiments in the search for conditions to support life.
Once it arrives on Mars, the robot will be heated and powered electrically from a ceramic form of plutonium dioxide. the nuclear decay from that block, which is covered in multiple protective layers, generates heat that is circulated with a series of heat-transferring tubes. the generator includes a thick cylinder about two feet tall to house the heat source and has fins to dissipate the heat.
Electricity is generated by using thermoelectrics, or materials that can produce a current when there is a difference in temperature. Instruments called thermocouples will generate electricity from the difference in the inside heat source and cold exterior. It’s designed to generate 110 watts of power continuously for many years, although the mission is slated for 23 months.
Solar panels that fan out after landing were used in previous Mars missions, but using a radioisotope system gives experiment designers more flexibility, according to the Idaho National Laboratory, which made and extensively tested the generator. for example, the probe will be able to communicate during all phases of its mission, including during entry into the atmosphere and landing.
“You can operate with solar panels on Mars. you just can’t operate everywhere,” Stephen Johnson, director of INL’s Space Nuclear Systems and Technology Division, said in a statement. “This gives you an opportunity to go anywhere you want on the planet, not be limited to the areas that have sunlight and not have to put the rover to sleep at night.”
Curiosity, which is scheduled to arrive in Mars in August, won’t be the first time that a NASA mission drew on radioactive materials to fuel its space probes. Idaho National Labs said that 26 missions over the past 50 years have used nuclear generators.
on December 3rd, 2011% ![]() December 02, 2011, 4:24 PM EST
by William McQuillen and Zachary Tracer
(Adds Commerce Department investigation in fifth paragraph.)
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) — Solar-equipment makers, including SolarWorld AG, are being harmed by imports from China, a U.S. trade panel found in the first step toward imposing added tariffs on those imports.
The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously in Washington today in a preliminary ruling on the petition by Bonn-based SolarWorld calling for antidumping and countervailing duties. The commission will now proceed with a full investigation.
“It’s an incremental step, but it is a major step forward,” Gordon Brinser, the president of SolarWorld’s U.S. unit, said in an interview yesterday, anticipating the vote. “The ITC is saying there’s harm or a threat of injury.”
The Chinese government uses cash grants, raw-materials discounts, preferential loans, tax incentives and currency manipulation among tactics to boost exports of solar cells, according to SolarWorld’s Oct. 19 complaint to the trade commission and U.S. Commerce Department. SolarWorld, a maker of solar modules, is seeking duties to offset the practices.
The ITC is examining possible economic harm to SolarWorld from Chinese imports, while the department determines the penalty for Chinese companies that illegally dump products. The department may decide on preliminary remedies as early as January 12.
SolarWorld and six other companies that haven’t been publicly identified, have requested tariffs of 100 percent, saying Chinese solar manufacturers benefit from unfair government support.
The U.S. group asked the federal government to slap duties on more than $1 billion of Chinese imports.
Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter today to President Barack Obama urging an investigation into Chinese solar imports, which they say don’t fairly compete with domestic products.
Imports of Chinese solar products have more than quadrupled from 2008 to 2010, lawmakers wrote in the letter. Chinese imports control half the market, benefiting from government- provided loans, cheap land, tax breaks and an undervalued currency, the lawmakers, including Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, and Representative Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said.
Representatives of Chinese companies told the commission Nov. 8 that tariffs sought by U.S. competitors would make it harder to expand the use of renewable energy. China and the U.S. are among nations encouraging use of alternative energy sources, driving costs down across the board, so it would be unfair to penalize China, they told the panel.
China responded to the initial probe by saying it would begin its own investigation into American state support for renewable energy. China’s Ministry of Commerce will consider the stimulus programs of the states of Washington, Massachusetts, Ohio and California, and two others in new Jersey, it said Nov. 25.
SolarWorld said Sept. 2 that it was cutting almost 200 jobs at its facility in Camarillo, California. Solyndra LLC, a California maker of solar panels that received $535 million in U.S. loan guarantees, blamed cheap Chinese imports for its collapse. Solyndra filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 6.
“There’s a serious concern going forward with the current situation,” Brinser said. “SolarWorld is a strong company, but others in the industry are struggling.”
Attorneys for Suntech Power Holdings co. Ltd. and Trina Solar Ltd., two of the biggest China-based makers of crystalline silicon panels, told the trade commission Nov. 8 that added tariffs would increase the cost of solar panels, which would then be passed on to the consumer.
Chinese solar manufacturers have said they may shift manufacturing to other countries to avoid tariffs if they’re imposed.
Executives at four of China’s biggest solar-panel makers have said they don’t receive special treatment from the Chinese government and that they pay higher interest rates for loans than U.S. or European competitors.
SolarWorld has said that China’s rapid growth in solar products is possible only with government support as it seeks to push out U.S. competitors by selling products for less than cost.
“if they continue at the rate they are going, it’s not a sustainable situation,” Brinser said.
China provided $30 billion in credit to its biggest solar manufacturers last year, about 20 times the amount provided by the U.S., Jonathan Silver, executive director of the Energy Department’s loan program, told a congressional panel Sept. 14. Silver resigned on Oct. 6.
–Editors: Judy Pasternak, Larry Liebert
To contact the reporters on this story: William McQuillen in Washington at Zachary Tracer in new York at
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Larry Liebert at
on December 2nd, 2011% ![]()
Many people who have recently become more aware of how expensive energy costs are becoming, home solar panel installation may be something to look into.
It is an unobtrusive and environmentally friendly way to save some money on the power bill and help move into the future.
The process is fairly quick and easy to, and will be outlined in the following steps.
Before you begin getting supplies, you will want to ask yourself whether your panels will be lying flat on the roof or angled toward the light for maximum effect. This will affect how you install the rails, because the guide supplied here is mainly for those making panels that are set flat on the roof. If this is the case it should be known that it is easier to put the panels in place.
First off you will want to get the screws and mounts to attach to the roof to make sure it is safe, because safety should always be number one priority.
Once you have your supplies, which can be found online or at any hardware store, find the rafters in your roof using a stud finder and drill holes. You can use a laser or chalk line to make sure they are all in a straight line. Place the mounts over the holes.
In here will go the rails the panels sit on. them to make sure they are mounted securely. Steel bolts will secure the rails to the posts you secure. now the hard part is done
The panels themselves must be installed flat and in a straight line. Once they are set you can connect them into an array. Finally you must run the conduit so it connects to the inverter on top of the roof.
Congratulations, your solar panel energy system is now installed and along with the free energy bill you will enjoy a tax break from the federal government for converting to the more environmentally friendly alternative.
Why Renewable Energy? If you are still feeling hesitant, you should know that installing the
panels is a simple and safe process that will pay for itself after only four years which is a short time for such a benefit. It will also increase the value of your home and make it far more desirable.
Hopefully you now have a better understanding of what home solar panel installation entails if you choose to try it yourself, because it is very possible.
on November 30th, 2011% ![]()
The number of San Antonians who have solar powered homes has dramatically increased over the past five years.
"We’ve gone from seven, eight installations five years ago to more than 500 now," said Lanny Sinkin, executive director of Solar San Antonio.
However, there are no solar communities even as builders make it an option as they construct new subdivisions.
"here in Texas it’s a huge industry," said Chris Pitman, the foreman of Hill Country Ecopower. "San Antonio is leading the fight to put solar panels up on top of roofs."
The two solar advocates believe this is an industry waiting to be fully embraced by consumers. Sinkin said what was formerly a rich man’s amenity to cut energy costs has become an affordable option for more people. Locally, he credits a rebate offered by CPS Energy. there is also a tax incentive for making your home an alternative energy residence.
The green phenomenon may be moving a little faster than fire services can keep up with. the San Antonio fire Department does not have a policy on the books to deal with such fires at homes with electrical panels. however, their records show they have not had to battle such a blaze.
According to statistics, structures fires caused by solar powered homes are rare. Yet, the rate of fires happening by any other means puts the energy efficient houses in the same category as a house without solar panels. fire officials said the homes are not immune to regular blazes.
In San Antonio, fire fighting at such a house has not been a major consideration for firefighters because this is an exception and not a rule. Assistant fire Chief David Martinez said they are trained to look for hazards at all fires.
"there are many, many hazards," he said.
Martinez said they are aware the solar panel homes or photovoltaic structures (PV) are energized with electricity. that means fire fighters know to stay away from them and treat them as a charged residence.
"These new systems are going to require that first responders have a good sense of how to approach this with security in mind and safety in mind," said Pitman, who is also an emergency medical technician.
Structures that have solar panels can conduct 600 volts of direct current. according to a Colorado State University high voltage safety manual, a shock greater than 600 volts results in dangerous current levels including a chance of electrocution.
The standard in solar buildings is to have a clearly labeled disconnect switch to kill the flow of solar powered electricity into the house in case of fires and other instances. however, it’s been discovered that doesn’t stop all of the electricity.
"There’s still the flow of the panels down to that disconnect switch," Sinkin said.
He said there are areas in the country where they are considering a DC switch on the roof as a second measure of safety that would completely take the panels down. it would add an extra layer of security to fire fighters.
KENS 5′s inquiry about tackling fires at solar panel structures prompted SAFD to research the issue with fire departments in Dallas, Houston and Austin. they say none of these departments have a policy or training on the books.
Because the number of solar homes is growing in the Alamo City, SAFD said they are adding their own layer of protection for fire fighters.
"I’m going to get those addresses (of solar homes) and we’re going to put those addresses into our computerated dispatch," Martinez said. "when firefighters are responding they won’t have to look on the roof."
He said the computer’s notes will show which homes are solar powered.
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
KULIM Solar cell vendor first Solar Inc is looking to increase the local content of the photovoltaic (PV) solar modules it ships out of Malaysia by enlarging the pool of its local suppliers. The company – via wholly-owned subsidiary first Solar Malaysia Sdn Bhd – currently sources between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of its materials from a pool of local vendors in sectors such as glass, packaging, labelling and the handling of semiconductor materials. “We expect to see a greater role played in our manufacturing operations by small and medium-sized firms here next year. “By the third quarter of 2012, first Solar will finalise how much more local content can be incorporated into our products,” first Solar Malaysia’s managing director P’ng Soo Hong told reporters during the company’s milestone ce-lebrations of hitting a cumulative total of three gigawatts (GW) power worth of solar modules at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah yesterday. The event was officiated by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir. first Solar Malaysia began operations in Kulim in 2007 with a single manufacturing plant and 109 employees. Today, the company has six facilities and has grown its workforce to 3,500, while contributing some RM3.45 billion to the local economy since 2007. P’ng said as first Solar works on growing its supplier base in Malaysia, providers of raw materials and spare parts needed for solar panels would be sought. “The sustainable growth of our production is proof that the decision to make Malaysia the largest production hub for first Solar globally was the right one,” he added. a trade publication on photonics last year stated that first Solar had earmarked US$1 billion (RM3.17 billion) for 2011 to increase its total production capacity from 1.43 GW in 2010 to around 2.1 GW this year and 2.7 GW in 2012. Meanwhile, Mukhriz in his speech said with the momentous output by first Solar currently, Malaysia is firming up its position as one of the largest solar panel producing nations.”We are now overtaking much larger competitor nations as world-class companies start to expand their capacities in Malaysia.”
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
How many people do you know who complain whenever they receive their monthly bills from the electric company. do they say something like, “this big electric company has me by the nape of the neck, (or somewhere else), and the only thing that I can do is wiggle and fuss.”
Actually there is something that can be done. a large number of people in this country and around the world are starting to do something about the high price of energy. One of the popular ways of doing something is to start using home solar power systems electricity.
The use or solar power electricity in your house will lower your power bill even if you start by powering only part of your electricity needs with this alternative method. Sunlight has no cost to use as a power source, unlike petroleum products and coal.
The petroleum products and coal that are burned up to produce electricity are gone forever. the sunrays that are used to make solar energy electricity will always be available to use again and again.
The energy made by the sun is clean. Solar energy has no harmful pollutants to be released into the atmosphere.
Solar power electricity is versatile. not only can it be used to light your home, it can operate your appliances, heat your water; power your computer and other gizmos and gadgets around your house.
The primary equipment that you need to produce your own solar power electricity are solar electric panels where the electricity is produced, and batteries to store the electric power that has been produced before it is used. the solar panels are made up of Photovoltaic Cells (PV cells) where the electricity is actually produced.
One of the great things about adding solar electricity to your home is you can add only as much as you want at a time. For example, suppose, at first, you only wanted to operate your water heater with solar power electricity, It is possible to install enough solar cells just to power that appliances. when you are able and ready to you can add more cells to supply power to other needs in your home.
Solar panels have no moving parts which make for very low maintenance cost. Probably the only thing that will need to be done is twice a year cleaning.
In the past few years the technology for home solar power systems has become more readily available to those who want to use it, and the price of purchasing this technology has become much more affordable. Products that have detailed step-by-step directions and instructional videos can be bought at very reasonable prices. the materials needed to build the solar panels can be bought for less than $200, and can be purchased at your local hardware store.
Every day people are becoming more aware of environmental conditions that need tending, as well as the rapidly rising price of conventional fuels. the popularity of alternative power sources is growing to help with these problems, home solar power systems has become one of the most popular sources.
Next, for anyone who wants to keep more of their hard earned money in their pocket, go on over to hubpages.com/hub/Home-Solar-Power-Systems-Tips. Just follow the solar power electricity link.
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
The solar panel market will outgrow and “dwarf” the beer market, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu predicted Thursday.
Chu cited a report saying that the global green energy market is worth almost $240 billion worldwide, and that photovoltaic systems — which turn light into electricity at the atomic level — are part of an $80 billion market.
“That’s nearly as much as Americans spend every year on beer,” he said. “The difference is that the solar PV market will grow and will dwarf the beer market.”
Chu also defended incentivizing green energy innovations, while admitting that the federal loan guarantee program could be improved.
The loan program, which ended in late September, famously lost over a half-billion dollars when the California-based solar energy company Solyndra filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 6. (RELATED: House panel approves subpoena on Solyndra loan)
“I think what one could do differently is you start with the idea that Congress and the administration can design a better loan program,” Chu said during a policy discussion hosted by The Washington Post, The Hill reported.
Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association in Colorado, told The Daily Caller that the retail value of beer in the U.S. is believed to be approximately $101 billion for 2010. when asked which product — beer or solar panels — is more valuable to the U.S. economy, Gatza noted that private breweries and solar panels complement each other.
“It takes the sun to help solar panels do their thing, and it takes the sun to grow barley and hops for beer,” he said in an email. “It is believed that Sierra Nevada Brewing Company produces the most solar energy of any private company in California.”
Chu attempted to draw parallels with the development of the airplane, automobile and information technology, and claimed that the competition with other countries is heating up.
“while some people in Washington are debating whether the clean energy economy is real or whether we should try to compete, other countries are seizing the opportunity,” he said in prepared remarks.
The Energy Department has “stimulated the innovation chain,” Chu added; he also justified doling out over $35 billion in loan guarantees.
“not every company or every product will succeed, but that is no reason to sit on the sidelines and concede leadership in clean energy,” he said.
“America faces a choice today: Are we going to recognize the opportunity and compete in the clean energy race or will we wave the white flag and watch all of these jobs go to China, Korea, Germany and other countries?”
This article was updated after publication to include comments from Paul Gatza.
Follow Paul on Twitter
on November 24th, 2011% The bankruptcies of Solyndra, Evergreen and other solar companies raise questions about solar energy in general. The market has seen a flood of new solar module suppliers in recent years, many from China — and a slew of new technologies with little or no field testing. Have we experienced a solar “bubble?”
On the surface, it seems we have and yet, established solar technologies have proven to be successful beyond any doubt – and the industry’s vital signs are stronger than ever. consider these U.S. market facts from the Solar Energy Industries Association:
• 5,000 solar energy companies now employ more than 100,000 Americans.• The U.S. has installed enough solar energy to power 630,000 homes.• Since January 2010, solar panels have dropped in price by about 30 percent.• The U.S. is expected to become the world’s no.1 solar market by 2014.• America was¬¬ a net exporter of solar products last year, by $2 billion – even to China.
For the informed consumer, there’s never been a better time to invest in solar power. Here, then, are five questions to help anyone make the right decision about installing a residential or commercial solar electric generating system:
1. How long have the providers been in business?
This may seem obvious. However, before you consider any solar solution, investigate the installer – and check references. an installer with no references or track record will be a risky provider, regardless of the price. Moreover, solar panels are not a commodity like sugar or flour – there is a real difference in quality and reliability from one producer to the next. can you trust a 20-year warranty from a manufacturer that just entered the market? Does lower price mean better value, or do you just get what you pay for? Trust your judgment. and remember, a warranty is worthless if the provider goes out of business. a manufacturer with a long history and sound financial position is more likely to be around in the event that a warranty claim is ever submitted.
2. Is my home or business close to achieving optimal energy efficiency?
It is always less costly to eliminate inefficient loads instead of buying more solar modules to power them. Technology is making all appliances and electrical devices more power-efficient. The planning stage for your solar electric system is an ideal time to identify any appliances that may be grossly inefficent and consider replacing them, since newer refrigerators and dishwashers can contribute to a significant reduction in total power demand. Lighting alone can account for up to 20 percent of a home’s electrical use; newer compact-fluorescent and LED lighting products can cut this by nearly half. Optimizing energy efficiency is always the best first step in the process of adopting solar power.
3. what is my current electrical usage, and how much do I want to offset with solar?
“Knowing a home’s energy usage helps us figure out the best system size to drive the highest rate of return for the owner,” explains Linda Strand, President and CEO of Independent Energy Solutions, a major solar installer in Southern California.
Your power bills contain all of the data you’ll need to calculate how many kilowatt hours you require per year. a qualified solar installer can use this data and the prevailing sun exposure conditions of your venue to determine how much peak generating capacity you’ll need to meet your goal – whether you want to offset part, or all, of your total demand.
Today, the vast majority of users seek “grid-tied” systems, rather than “off-grid” systems that incorporate batteries. The grid-tied system uses the power infrastructure as a virtual battery, providing a credit for the kilowatt hours generated and thereby offsetting your power bill. In this way, a grid-tied system can provide real benefits even if it is designed to offset only a portion of your total electrical demand. Commercial power rates generally rise over time; by installing solar, energy consumers can protect themselves from future rate increases.
4. Where is the ideal location for the system to be installed?
While solar electric systems are typically installed on rooftops, not every roof is ideally situated in a sunny, southern exposure unshaded by trees or other structures. if your roof is ideally situated, you must consider whether it will support the weight of a solar PV system. “Typically, we can determine the maximum pounds per square foot that the roof can support from the structure’s framing plan,” said Strand. For some structures, it may be wise to re-roof prior to installing solar.
If your roof won’t comply, you may consider other options. a solar carport structure or ground-mounted system can be an effective alternative that unlocks the value of unused space.
5. How will I pay for my solar electric system?
A solar energy system is a significant initial investment, but one that has the potential to offset rising energy costs for years to come. Whether you are a homeowner seeking to offset your residential energy needs or considering a larger, commercial installation, you may benefit from a range of financing assistance, including tax breaks, rebates, incentives, and grants. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal programs supporting renewable energy.
Many customers have found a creative solution to help offset the cost of installing and maintaining a solar array: entering into a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with a provider who owns and maintains a solar electric system that they install on your property. PPA customers pay only for the power a system generates, at an agreed-upon long-term rate, allowing them to avoid the unpleasant surprise of annual utility rate increases. a solar PPA can help simplify the process of “going solar” while saving on energy expenses for years to come. According to DSIRE, as of July 2011, at least 21 states and Puerto Rico authorize or allow third-party solar PPAs.
In summary, solar power is an abundant, renewable resource that you can tap through proven products and technologies. With proper preparation to become an informed consumer, solar electricity can be a financially savvy and environmentally friendly solution for your current and future energy needs.
Written by Cecilia Aguillon, Kyocera Solar, Inc. Cecilia Aguillon is director of market development and government policy for Kyocera Solar, Inc., recognized as a world-leading supplier of solar electric energy products since 1975.
Article provided by The Daily Energy Report
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on November 24th, 2011% ![]()
Solar house plans, as with all decisions in life, will include careful consideration. The pros and cons must be weighed up against one another before the installation process can begin. Firstly you should ask yourself a few questions with regards to what you want to achieve and gain from using photovoltaic cells (solar panels) to produce solar electricity:
How much do I want to spend?
How much space do I have on my roof or on my property?
How much power do I want to create from my solar panels?
How much sunlight do I receive?
Other considerations include the orientation of your panels. obviously with any solar cell the best way to increase its efficiency is to have it access as much sunlight as possible during the day. For maximum power production you will want maximum sun exposure. this means that the ability to face your panels towards the sun is a very important factor to take into consideration when planning this project.
Now depending on which hemisphere you live in, orientation of your panels will be different. It is easy to work out however and you will want your panels to receive sunlight for the majority of the day, so in the northern hemisphere you will want your panels to be south facing. this will increase your time to create energy and in effect make your system more efficient as an increase in the exposure time will increase the potential ability for power creation and storage.
Now if you are making your own solar panels (which are fairly simple to make if you have a manual) you will most likely want to mount them on your roof. be sure that your roof will be able to hold the weight of the solar panels as well as make sure your roof is in a good condition. It would be ideal to install your solar system at the same time that you are going to renovate your roof or if you are building your own home. you want your roof and solar panels to last the same amount of time and this will be beneficial if you incorporate changes that you want to make to your home with installation of solar panels.
I would suggest that you may want to start off small if you are new to solar house plan s. you can try making changes in your home by switching appliances off that are not in use or start by making your own solar panels which you can slowly expand upon and make larger and increase your reliance on these panels for electricity.
Remember that the profile of a solar electricity user is that of a person who is looking to invest in their own property, community and environment.
on November 21st, 2011% ![]() Satoru Otomo stands by the solar panels on his roof in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 10. (Mainichi)
One lesson that many appear to have drawn from the March 11 disasters and ensuing power shortages is that it’s a good idea to generate your own electricity, and a big jump in applications for government subsidies show home solar systems are an increasingly popular way to do that.
According to a solar power promotion organization in Chiba, from April through October this year applications for government solar power subsidies hit 155,486, 51 percent higher than the 102,712 applications in the same period in 2010. Following planned blackouts in the Kanto region in March, Kyocera Corp. — Japan’s largest solar panel producer — saw solar system inquiries balloon to some 10 times the usual number.
“There are likely many people who are now more conscious of disasters and have become interested in home electricity generation,” suggests Kyocera’s PR department.
In Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, 53-year-old dentist Satoru Otomo has been using solar panels for 18 years. On the southern-facing part of the roof of his home that doubles as his dental practice, there are around 30 panels with a combined maximum output of six kilowatt-hours. Otomo began installing the panels in 1993. the previous year, the large electricity providers introduced a system to buy unused solar power from homes, and Otomo was the seventh person in the area serviced by the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) to join in. his power output started at just 0.7 kilowatt-hours and gradually increased as he added more panels.
On a hot summer afternoon in August this year, a display by a counter in Otomo’s dental office showed generation of “3.5 kilowatt-hours” and consumption of “0.29 kilowatt-hours.” his sales to TEPCO that month totaled around 25,000 yen, while he only drew about 5,000 yen’s worth of electricity from the grid at night or other times he couldn’t make his own power, spelling a tidy profit of 20,000 yen.
Solar systems generate less power in winter because the days are shorter, but even so Otomo’s system fed around 200,000 yen in electricity to the grid over 2010, with a profit of around 100,000 yen. He also saves the electricity costs he paid before the installation. one caveat is that Hokuto is sunnier than most any other place in the country, ranking first in 2008 with 2,552 hours of sunlight.
Installation cost around 4.5 million yen, with about 500,000 yen of that covered by government subsidies. “I think I made the installation costs back one or two years ago,” says Otomo.
These days, home solar panels are cheaper than they were when Otomo first bought his. according to Kyocera, it generally costs about 600,000 yen for each kilowatt-hour’s worth of power production. using typical panels, it takes about 6.5 square meters of space to generate a maximum of one kilowatt-hour. for a house with around 100 square meters of roof space, seven kilowatts-hours’ worth of panels could be installed on the southern-facing half.
The government provides 48,000 yen in installation subsidies per kilowatt-hour up to 10 kilowatts, and many municipalities also have subsidy systems. Tokyo, for example, gives 100,000 yen for each kilowatt-hour of capacity. these local and national government subsidies can be used at the same time.
Ken Tsuzuku of the NGO PV Owner Network estimates that power companies currently pay about 42 yen for every kilowatt-hour under 10 kilowatts. To cover the around 4,000 kilowatts used per year by the average home, around 4 kilowatt-hours of solar generation are needed. Counting in subsidies, it would cost around 2 million yen to set up such a system. considering savings on energy bills and profits from electricity sold, Tsuzuku predicts “the installation costs would probably be covered after 12 to 15 years.”
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