Google just announced a new benefit: it has negotiated that we Googlers will get special rebates with 3 photovoltaic system designers/installers - in addition to state incentives.
So it looks like the calculation will be something like this:
+ $20,000: 3kW installation (minimum installation for one of the rebate programs) - would it cost something like ?
- $7,500: State inventive for 2007: $2.50/W
- $1,000: Google rebate
- ???: Tax incentives in the form of tax credit
That is, $11,500 for a system that likely will cover my usage.
My current electricity usage is so low that it doesn't make sense, though that would change if I install the SwimEx spa. My normal usage is around 7.5 Kwh/day, with winter usage climbing up to 10 Kwh/day.
The real killer on my energy budget is gas, for heating. These last winter months cost a lot as my usage has jumped from the summerly 1-2 therms/day to a whopping 5-6 therms/day (or $200-250/month).
I have an email into SwimEx to get the estimates. If I go this route I could also decide to make some of the new installations and appliances electrical, for instance, a new dryer and perhaps even the furnace/boiler.
